another mommy book
i really enjoy reading parenting books. well, i really enjoy reading good parenting books.
at the end of 2011, i read the Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson. i saw that she had written a second, but entirely different book, the Ministry of Motherhood, so i asked for it for Christmas. i read it in a matter of days.
in the Mission of Motherhood, Mrs. Clarkson addresses various aspects of motherhood, beginning with the God-given mission for mothers laid out in Scripture. she then delves into what it means to serve, disciple, and teach as a mother, build strong relationships with our children, enrich their lives, and make our homes a place where God's purposes are carried out. she provides numerous verses from the Bible to support her writing as well as provoke the reader to think and reflect on these important issues.
in the Ministry of Motherhood, she takes a different approach by comparing our relationships with our kids to Jesus with his disciples (we are called to "go ye therefore and make disciples..." according to Scripture, after all): how we spend time with them, model Godly living (faith, prayer, Bible study), inspire them to hear God's calling on their lives and carry it out, serve others with them so that they are equipped to be God's servants in the world.
can parenting/mothering books be intimidating? absolutely. is it tempting to try to live up to yet another person's ideal? you bet. BUT, i don't think that is the author's intention at all. i think parenting books should be taken in light of my personal calling and convictions as a mother and always, always, always be backed up with Scripture. God made me to be the mother to my children, not try to be what another woman is to hers. that said, God has called us to subdue the culture around us. in plain language, that means in whatever context He has called us to, He intends and expects for us to bring that domain to order. for me and for right now, that means as a mother to my children, a wife to my husband, a homemaker to our home, and all that these roles include. this is my context. i will gladly take Gospel-centered, Scripture-infused counsel from another Godly woman who has been there and done that in order to better serve my God and my family. i'm not the most creative person on the block-- it excites me to read another's story to gain perspective and gather ideas to incorporate into my own desires and goals for my family.
these particular motherhood books have been quite instrumental in encouraging me as a mom and helping me see beyond today with my kid(s). i appreciate that greatly. i would recommend these books to any woman out there even thinking about having kids, much less each woman who has kids already.
book two of Books I've Read in 2012-- done! and i may even read it again before the year is over!
at the end of 2011, i read the Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson. i saw that she had written a second, but entirely different book, the Ministry of Motherhood, so i asked for it for Christmas. i read it in a matter of days.
in the Mission of Motherhood, Mrs. Clarkson addresses various aspects of motherhood, beginning with the God-given mission for mothers laid out in Scripture. she then delves into what it means to serve, disciple, and teach as a mother, build strong relationships with our children, enrich their lives, and make our homes a place where God's purposes are carried out. she provides numerous verses from the Bible to support her writing as well as provoke the reader to think and reflect on these important issues.
in the Ministry of Motherhood, she takes a different approach by comparing our relationships with our kids to Jesus with his disciples (we are called to "go ye therefore and make disciples..." according to Scripture, after all): how we spend time with them, model Godly living (faith, prayer, Bible study), inspire them to hear God's calling on their lives and carry it out, serve others with them so that they are equipped to be God's servants in the world.
can parenting/mothering books be intimidating? absolutely. is it tempting to try to live up to yet another person's ideal? you bet. BUT, i don't think that is the author's intention at all. i think parenting books should be taken in light of my personal calling and convictions as a mother and always, always, always be backed up with Scripture. God made me to be the mother to my children, not try to be what another woman is to hers. that said, God has called us to subdue the culture around us. in plain language, that means in whatever context He has called us to, He intends and expects for us to bring that domain to order. for me and for right now, that means as a mother to my children, a wife to my husband, a homemaker to our home, and all that these roles include. this is my context. i will gladly take Gospel-centered, Scripture-infused counsel from another Godly woman who has been there and done that in order to better serve my God and my family. i'm not the most creative person on the block-- it excites me to read another's story to gain perspective and gather ideas to incorporate into my own desires and goals for my family.
these particular motherhood books have been quite instrumental in encouraging me as a mom and helping me see beyond today with my kid(s). i appreciate that greatly. i would recommend these books to any woman out there even thinking about having kids, much less each woman who has kids already.
book two of Books I've Read in 2012-- done! and i may even read it again before the year is over!
so i am still on my 2nd book this year. you are totally beating me. ; ) thank you for recommending these. i am going to have Kelly grab them from the church library! can't wait to delve in.
ReplyDeleteooh I would love to get any parenting book recommendations from you! These two look really good--I will have to check them out. Thanks for the review! And thanks for the comment about medical mondays :) Nice to get some encouragement from a fellow mommy AND medical professional. I loved your suggestions about sinus infections and food allergies--I had planned to do a solid foods post (I definitely plan to do lots of "well" topics) and the idea to talk about the allergy thing will fit nicely in the medical portion of the post. Thanks so much! Please keep giving me suggestions and/or critiques when needed :) Little LEVI where ARE YOU!?!?!! We love you and can't wait to see you!
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