The Bookshelf

Books are food for the intellect. Just as there are many sources for physical nourishment (i.e. fast food, daily bread, and fine dining), so there are many genres for a diverse feeding of the mind.  This has been my experience and I have noticed that a regular diet of contemporary young adult literature (much of which I read for the purpose of being informed about my students’ reading preferences) leaves me craving something solid and sustaining. Perhaps this is because my mind has grown accustomed to rich literature because I was raised on biographies, classics, rich historical fiction, and the Bible.  It leaves me wondering if parents and educators should be as intentional about what children read, as they are about what children eat.

This page is dedicated to my reading list.

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I recently finished reading Parenting with Love & Logic by Cline & Fay. Many of the principles in this book are ones I can incorporate into my parenting philosophy. The premise of Love & Logic is for parents to relinquish the control they can’t keep in order to retain the control that should be theirs. This is done by offering children options to help them practice decision making, making them responsible for the consequences of their choices, and be empathetic listeners when they feel the effects of those consequences. I appreciate the practical application provided along with scripts to practice how to incorporate principles when communicating with your children. They encourage you to engage your child in thinking through situations, problem-solving and preparing to improve in the future. I know I get stressed and irritable when I am caught off guard or feel helpless as a parent; this book equips for just such times. I have learned, however, that a parenting book is not a substitute for a brain. I can’t blindly follow any philosophy or formula when it comes to being a parent. My intuition refined by God’s wisdom is what is the best way to parent my children. With that said, I am thankful for additional insights and tools that can be found in this book and other good ones like it.

For those close to depression- either personally or through a loved one- this is a book that brings comfort, understanding and hope. Author Zach Eswine writes turns prose into poetry through intricate metaphor that beautifully weaves Spurgeon’s biography and sermons together. Eswine himself has walked the road of depression and therefore is able to present Spurgeon’s testimony of sorrow and hope in a relatable way.

This book explains the varying types and levels of depression. It presents responses to the age-old inquiry about whether or not it is sin for a Christian to be depressed. And it presents biblical approaches and perspectives for both the one afflicted with melancholia and the caregiver of the afflicted.

This is a title that settles into the reader’s mind and is easily recalled during those turbulent seasons.

I did a book study of this book with two other mom friends. We also completed the study guide that pairs with it. This book is written in a way that encourages the intentional mama to apply what she is reading. It details all of the prominent secular worldviews of our time: their history, evolution and influence in today’s culture. They conclude each chapter with ideas for how to explain these worldviews to her children and help them to think critically about them. It’s educational for moms, children and for anyone who teaches children. The study guide further emphasizes the concepts in the book.

This book is an experience. The carefully crafted foreshadowing sends chills and sculpts intrigue; the voices are personal; the supernatural is real. Leif Enger is a master of his literary craft in this book and it’s no wonder this book is a national bestseller.

Reuben, our narrator and the protagonist, is recalling a life-changing event from his childhood. While he is telling us the story and his brother is the catalyst of this event, their father is the anchor of the story. Life begins and ends with him.

Poetry, villains, miracles, romance, heartbreak, and mystery are all here. This story draws you in and holds you from page one until the end.

This book provides a straightforward perspective on balanced, biblical discipline. Hubbard takes the time to explain how the Bible always pairs the rod with reproof, discipline with instruction. Why? Because the issue is the child’s heart and not simply the unwanted behavior. She explains that instructing without discipline is futile; discipline without instruction leads to anger and resentment. What is instruction? Taking the time to draw the child’s attention to what their behavior was incorrect and to help them practice the correct way to behave.

Hubbard provides many scenarios and examples to illustrate her points and also provides ample Scripture to support them. She includes scripts in her examples to show how Scripture can be incorporated into parenting dialogue in a natural way. She emphasizes that parents have their authority through Scripture which is why it must be used when instructing children.

There are many parenting philosophies at our fingertips these days and it can be overwhelming to know which one is the right fit for your family. For those wishing to incorporate Scripture in their daily parenting, this book might just be what you are looking for.

**Note: this book does define and discuss corporal punishment. She discusses how it can be done effectively with appropriate boundaries; she also discusses when it should not be done.

Are you reluctant about an imminent change in your life? Yes? Then settle yourself into this story. Kirkpatrick does a compelling job of bringing the Oregon Trail to life once more. This historical fiction focuses on a true incident when 12 women who experienced great tragedy chose to persevere in spite of it all. The main protagonist in particular shows us how trial can cause us to grow closer to God, to others and to ourselves. This book will leave you thinking about it even after you have turned the last page.

Mother Culture, written by Karen Andreola, is a refreshing resource for every mom who desires to create a haven in her home. She has inspiring ideas and quotes for just about every aspect of the mothering life: education, hobbies, chores, cooking, etiquette, reading, imagining, resting, clothing, mentoring. She includes a chapter each on marriage and bonding siblings. Andreola is a Charlotte Mason enthusiast and includes many wonderful excerpts and ideas from her which is the perfect way to get acquainted with Mason and her philosophy of education. While this book is primarily written for homeschooling moms, any mom who wishes to nurture her children in a loving home environment will find gems within its pages. This is the book you will return to again and again when your mother heart is in need of a hug and a kind word or two.

Author Katie Ganshert brilliantly takes us on a journey that could very likely happen in our own backyard. As we come to know 3 extraordinary women, all with a different background story, we are confronted with the heavy issues that plague our communities today, including racism. But she doesn’t merely bring up the topics; through her characters she helps us wrestle with the issues, ponder how we would react and then change our minds as more of the story unfolds. The story concludes with hope that misunderstandings can be resolved with communication and friendships can develop in unlikely places if we simply take the time to ask about the other person’s story.

Jane Kirkpatrick is skilled at making history a personal journey. This book is no different. She resurrects three incredibly strong women from the past and allows her readers to walk their journey with them. One is a freed slave woman, one is a doctor’s wife and the their is a Native American from Oregon. Their lives weave together as two conquer the Oregon Trail together and the third befriends them and teaches them how to make Oregon their home. There is nothing like reading about strong women to feel inspired once more to live well the life that has been entrusted to us. This book should only be read by those who want to be strong and good in the midst of great hardship.

In light of 2020, this book is magnificent in reminding us of what the human spirit can overcome. The voices shared in this book speak about hope in the midst of despair, courage in the face of fear, and determination when the faint of heart would fail. Hear we read about over 800 women who pioneered the endeavor of settling Kansas. They encountered locusts invasions, Indian raids, outlaw attacks, blizzards, droughts, loneliness, tragedy upon tragedy. And yet they stayed. They turned dugouts into homes; coordinated dances; taught school; ran post offices; offered hospitality; nursed the sick; tamed the West and civilized a state. Upon reading this book, one can only look at Kansas and women with fresh respect.

This books is an encouragement for parents (and teachers) blessed with a strong-willed child (SWC). As a SWC herself, the author provides an inside look at the unique way the brain of an SWC works. She also provides tips and strategies for building a rich relationship with the SWC in your life.

This book is a comfortable read and one filled with hope. She frequently summarizes key points and provides personal testimonies that help with the application of the principles within the book.

I am incorporating this book into my shelf of parenting resources and I hope you do too.

This book provides parents a refreshing perspective on well-rounded eating. It’s helpful to hear about what other countries are doing successfully and how to learn from them.

Karen Le Billon presents her culinary tale in France with honesty and humor. She shares her enthusiasm, discouragement and growth, presenting the full picture of what it is like to be taught and to learn about something as personal as one’s dietary habits. She neatly summarizes her learning under ten French rules about eating.

These ten rules are interesting and simple to adopt using the practical tips that Karen provides at the end of the book. The French and American food cultures certainly clash but it is important for parents to remember that teaching proper eating habits to our children is not about deprivation but about moderation. If our children have a healthy, cultivated palate they can thrive in any other area of life.

This historical fiction brought to life a pivotal person in the life of C.S. Lewis: his wife. Not famous like her beloved husband, Joy Davidman Gresham proved to be as brilliant a mind as her husband. She was well-studied, skilled with a pen and passionate about living. Her journey to Christ was a dramatic one but left her undeterred in her yearning for knowledge and love. This yearning led her to Lewis who would eventually become her husband and also deepen her relationship with God. Lewis and Joy were a vibrant literary team and brought out the best in each other.

I was moved by the authenticity and raw emotion revealed by Joy and intrigued to learn more about Lewis as well. I listened to this as an audiobook due to its length. It’s a fascinating book for the adult reader who enjoys literature and history.

Our earliest memories are formed within the womb. This is the premise of Dr. David Chamberlain’s book. Through his own work and his methodical study of other research, he concludes that as soon as the brain and senses form the prenatal mind begins forming memories. The prenate is continuously absorbing the sounds, textures and movements from within and without and is an active participant with its environment.

These observations have led to the startling discovery that the newborn is fully aware of its birth journey and that memories of birth are imprinted on the psyche of these brand new individuals. This poses the question: how do birth experiences affect the rest of our lives? Based on his research, Dr. Chamberlain believes that negativity during pregnancy (e.g. being unwanted) or trauma during birth can leave an individual with emotional scarring, inexplicable fears, or even illnesses later in life.

While some of his claims may seem far fetched or extreme, many of his theories are plausible and deserving of additional thought and research. As a mother of 6 myself, I firmly believe that newborns are sentient beings ready to engage with their family and the world. Perhaps this is a time that should be maximized more than it is.

Unfortunately, Dr. Chamberlain undermines his own research about prenatal pain and cognitive awareness by legitimizing abortion. However, for those wanting to better understand their tiny family members before, during and after birth, this book is well worth reading.

Marie F. Mongan presents an unconventional but refreshing look at pregnancy, labor and birth. Whether you are a mom preparing to receive your first child or a mom preparing for her sixth (or more), this book is an enlightening read.

From the title, one might assume that this book is all about hypnosis but that would be a mistaken assumption. The book presents a compelling case for looking deeper into the influence of the mind upon the body in every aspect of life. The author does a wonderful job at describing how to care for one’s body and emotions throughout pregnancy, then describes how this practiced mindset will lead into a peaceful labor and delivery.

This book is a rich resource for learning how to develop your attitude towards your birth experience, how to present it to your health care provider, and for understanding exactly what is happening during each stage of the birthing process. She also emphasizes the importance of cultivating the parents’ relationship with each other and with their unborn child as they prepare to become a family.

Every mother will glean something from this book at any point in their pregnancy.

In this masterpiece of nonfiction, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs introduces a transformative perspective on the mother-son relationship. He sheds light on the challenge mothers have to show their sons (of any age) respect when we are hardwired to love. Mothers assume that all their sons need is love, while the man within their son craves respect. By simply adjusting our verbiage when addressing our sons we can revolutionize our relationships with these special young men in our lives. In addition, reading this book can strengthen our understanding of ourselves and our interactions with our husbands. Dr. Eggerichs is gentle when shining light on maternal weaknesses, honest in explaining what the male psyche needs, and uplifting with the changes that are easily within reach.

I have had this book for years but it was a timely read for our current crisis. The pages in this book are filled with gripping accounts of great tragedy, unspeakable evil committed intentionally, and immense bravery enacted out of great love for fellow humans.
Irena Sendler was a tiny lady with unshakable conviction about doing what was right. When asked if she felt fear as she rescued over 2,500 children from the Warsaw ghetto she said she was afraid; but she also knew that a worse fate than getting caught would be to live knowing she ignored her conscience.
But heroism is not without a price and Irena’s life bears the scars of that high cost: physically and emotionally. The same is true for the young lives she rescued. Their lives continued but not without great sorrow.
For a perspective-altering look at history and heroism, this book is the one to read.

At a time of such societal turbulence this powerful novel of love and friendship overcoming barriers of bitterness, anger and distrust is a timely one. Jamie Langston Turner is skilled at weaving together the stories of two women becoming unlikely friends. Margaret, the narrator and primary protagonist, shares her life story bit by bit as she describes the brief crossing of paths between her and the secondary protagonist, Birdie. In addition to writing a story, Jamie also introduces additional literature, scientific facts, and actual historical events and news headlines (some of which I looked up), thus making her written work both a compelling read and an informative one. In summary, I can truthfully say that Margaret’s life wasn’t the only one impacted by Birdie; she changed mine as well.

Moms, are you looking for an enriching personal Bible study that also grows you as a parent? If you are, this is the study for you. Brenda Jacobson takes the time to help you evaluate the relevancy of your walk with God in your daily life, how you spend your time each day and how your past might be defining your parenting. From there, she helps you to recognize the weaknesses in your parenting so that they can be addressed and strengthened.

In each chapter she shares portions of her personal experiences, encourages personal reflection and leaves ample space for writing out prayers of petition and thanksgiving. I took my time working through this study and was still a bit sorrowful when it concluded since I gleaned something useful from it every day. It’s a study I will be repeating.

Within every heart is a worldview and within every worldview the question is asked: What is man? The answer to this question dictates all that is done by every individual; that is a depressing thought when God is removed from the equation.

In this series of essays, Williams analyzes the popular world of these three great literary and philosophical minds for their take on the postmodernist worldview and it’s implications on contemporary society. Their insights have proven to be almost prophetic and reading them offers a clearer perspective on the reason for the chaos within our world.

While reading about postmodernism may not seem like a thrilling topic at first, it can be exciting to gain deeper insight into the human condition, especially through the lens of literary genius. Williams expertly weaves together literature, philosophy and contemporary explanations in this thoughtful book.

Have a New Kid by Friday is a lighter supplement to the previous parenting book, The LifeGiving Parent; I enjoyed reading them simultaneously because they filled in each other’s gaps. While the latter provided an excellent foundation for developing one’s parenting philosophy, the former provides practical application. Dr. Kevin Leman writes with great candor and common sense. He has experience as a psychologist of 40+ years and is also a father of five grown children who are leading successful lives. My husband and I could laugh as we read yet also seriously discuss and apply his straightforward suggestions on successful parenting.

Dr. Leman developed and describes several key principles to guide one’s parenting. They include:

*Be 100 percent consistent in your behavior: challenging but rewarding in the long run.

*Always follow through on what you say you will do: makes sense, right?

*Respond, don’t react: don’t let the emotionally-charged situation dictate how you address the situation.

*Don’t threaten or give any warnings: doing so tells your kids that you don’t think they will obey.

*B doesn’t happen until A is accomplished: expect obedience and until you receive the response you are expecting, life for your child doesn’t move forward.

*Never repeat yourself: give your instruction, turn your back and walk away. (See above principle for what to expect.)

*Identify the purposive behavior behind your child’s behavior: once you know what is prompting your child’s behavior you can address that. Usually it is a power-struggle and the parent must determine to win every time.

I chose to share these principles because they are my greatest takeaways from this book. I have been able to implement them in my own daily parenting and I feel empowered as I do so. It is helpful to remember that I am the one in charge: my children are not. They are completely dependent on me so they need to respect and obey me. As I said earlier, this book dovetails with Clay and Sally Clarkson’s book because theirs targets the heart of parenting and how we develop the tone of our home and the heart of our family. Their book helps us to identify the ultimate calling as Christian parents. While Leman is a Christian, he is targeting a broad audience and keeps his writing spiritually neutral. He is addressing behavioral issues and presents common sense solutions for them; however, it is important to remember that as Christian parents we are doing more than just teaching children to obey. Ultimately, we are pointing them to Christ.

If you are a parent who wants to have some easy tips to follow when handling those every day kid issues, this book is for you. From Chapter 1 you will be able to apply something new to your parenting strategies.

 

When a sweet friend from church said that she was going to be hosting a study of this book in her home, I jumped at the opportunity for more reading and more fellowship. The title itself spoke to my heart: “Yes! I want to learn how to be a lifegiving parent!” I had already read and  been inspired by Sally’s book, The Lifegiving Home so I was ready for more.

Clay Clarkson writes with great detail about the biblical mandate to raise our children in the instruction and admonition of the Lord. He analzyes Israel’s Shema (the “Hear O Israel” passages in Deuteronomy and Numbers) and then illustrates its application through eight Heartbeats of Parental Lifegiving:

Numbering Your Child’s Days: Recognize that you have a limited window of time for influencing your child in the way he should go. Children are born with an instinctive desire to believe in God and trust their parents but as they get older outside influences can lessen that desire. The first five years are especially critical in molding children’s character. Are you maximizing your time with your child?

Nurturing Your Child’s Spirit: The spirit is the inner person, the essence of who one is. As parents we are called to be the guardians of our child’s spirit, nurturing and protecting the individual God has designed him to be. The Clarksons highlight two ways to approach nurturing: through discipline and instruction. Both are necessary. This means shaping them with responsibility and feeding their minds with rich information. How are you nurturing your child’s spirit?

Guarding Your Child’s Heart: What your child loves dictates how he will live. The appetites he develops as a child will govern the choices he makes in the future. As parents we can cultivate what our children crave in body, mind and spirit. What we consistently expose them to will shape their normal, influence what they love, and often form their appetites. Do you know what your child loves?

Renewing Your Child’s Mind: Our children’s minds are virtually miraculous! They are designed to absorb, learn and grow rapidly from the first day of their existence. They are learning from everything that is around them so parents must be intentional about the type of immersion our children are experiencing. We know that junk food does not provide the nourishment our bodies need to grow; are we just as intentional in how we “feed” our children’s minds?

Strengthening Your Child’s Faith: Children intuitively have faith. It is raw, innocent, childlike faith that simply believes. They have faith in God and faith in their parents. This faith is a gift to them and cannot be dismissed; instead, Christian parents should build upon it, protect it and help it to flourish into the mature faith in Jesus it has the potential to become. What are you doing to strengthen your child’s faith?

Shaping Your Child’s Will: Strong-willed children are often frowned upon, but will is an important tool in your child’s life. This is what he uses to determine the decisions he is going to make. He will or he won’t. It is the parents’ responsibility to shape their children’s wills in a way that they determine to make choices for good and for God’s glory. This can be done in three key ways: with grace and truth, for diligence and with discipline. Your child’s will is a blessing. How are you shaping it?

Cultivating Your Child’s Character: The character of a child is formed by his identity, his personality and his capability. Children will come to question who they are and the conclusion they draw will shape their character. When your child begins to question his identity, tell him three things: “You are good, you are God’s and you are loved.” Speak these truths to him over and over. Also, recognize your personality type and your child’s. This will help you to know how to best parent him in a way that helps him flourish and further affirms his identity. Finally, help your child recognize his God-given capabilities so that he can find it easier to recognize his self-worth in a way that gives God all the glory. How is your child similar to or different from you?

Forming Your Child’s Imagination: Your child’s imagination helps him to have faith. Imagination creates pictures in our minds of things we have never seen but only heard described. Imagination sees no impossibility. Imagination does not need to be left in childhood. Never squelch your child’s imagination; give it space to flourish and provide ample resources to further cultivate it. Enter in when your child’s imagination is at work so that they can see yours at work! and never stop reading! Let imagination thrive in a secure environment. How do you form your child’ imagination?

The main weakness of this book is that it is more philosophy than application. It is easy to assume that the authors led a perfect life and were never challenged by their kids. Logic and studying more of their material (books and podcasts) make it evident that they struggled as much as any parent does; however, I would have appreciated relevant application of their ideas either through their own examples or from others. I also found that it wasn’t until the sixth chapter that the material became engaging.

With that acknowledgment made, I learned much from this book that I am already striving to implement in my own parenting. I am seeking to be my children’s advocate versus their sin-police; I want to expect good from them instead of disobedience; I am encouraging their imagination by entering into their play and increasing their reading time. Most of all, I am affirming their identity and their capabilities as God’s handiwork as I instruct, discipline and encourage.  If you are still shaping your parenting philosophy and don’t mind a lengthier read, I would not hesitate to recommend The LifeGiving Parent. It is worth the time and effort and may even be richer with the accompanying study guide.

Have you ever met someone and instantly known that you will be friends for life because your hearts simply understand each other? And then you want all of your friends and their friends to meet this new friend of yours? THAT  is exactly how I feel about Lara Casey’s Cultivate: A Grace-Filled Guide to Growing and Intentional Life.  She put into words what I have long known to be true: that there is a way to live with intention, that perfection is not the definition of a fulfilling life and that joy can be found in life’s messiest moments.

From page 1, Lara’s writing invites you to sit in the front porch rocker, sip a glass of iced tea and chat with her about life. She gently confides in you her story of messy emotions, misplaced priorities and missed opportunities to make memories and then she shares how God and a garden changed her perspective and turned her life around. It’s poetic, it’s vivid and it’s authentic. It took me nearly 5 months to read this book; not because it was a dry read or I had no interest but because I wanted to savor every word and allow it to soak into my soul. I found myself planting flowers in my backyard and not minding the dirt on my hands; I squealed with joy when the first hummingbird came to our feeder; and I’ve been thinking about how to strike up conversation with the cashiers at our neighborhood grocery store – all because of this book and it’s eloquent way of making ordinary routines into treasures.

There are so many lessons to be learned from the ancient art of gardening. As Lara explains, if you have one plant you enjoy tending, whether it’s in a pot in your house or a wildflower in your backyard, you have gardening potential. Cultivate identifies 10 lies that women often internalize from the world around them and, through gardening analogies, it debunks each one. A few of my favorites:

Lie: waiting is not good or productive. Truth: Waiting is a time of ripening.

Lie: I will be content when I have it all. Truth: I will be content when I live grateful.

Lie: The past isn’t valuable; it’s all about the future. Truth: Remembering God’s faithfulness helps us cultivate a meaningful legacy.

In the past 5 months my outlook on living has been changing. I speak about cultivating and tending. When I catch myself comparing my life with someone else’s, I stop and celebrate their successes as well as my own. I am taking note of the “I want” list and seeing if I can replace each item with something I already have. And the biggest change of all? I’m embracing my flaws because they open doors that perfection would slam shut and lock: doors of connection with others who are flawed, doors of grace from God and for others, doors of joy over how Christ is working in my life.

Before I start quoting every word from this book because it’s a favorite, let me summarize with this: read it and then read it again. That’s what I am going to do.

Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change Are you seeking to build the relationships in your life? Are you striving to genuinely help those who come to you with their problems? Do you want to understand people? These questions are the reasons why I approached this book with enthusiasm.

The book begins with an introduction to a biblical understanding of man’s condition: we all have a heart problem. To truly help the people around us we need to get to the heart of their issues – which is their heart. But how is this done? Through Scripture. Paul David Tripp provides a thorough analysis of man’s heart without Christ and the struggle with sin that every heart experiences, even the one surrendered to Christ. He then proceeds to illustrate how every apparent problem we have can be traced to the root cause of sin. Yet how does this translate to helping other people when they come to you with their problems?

Tripp outlines a personal counseling approach that models how Jesus interacted with people during His ministry here on earth. It is the “Love, Know, Speak, Do” approach. As he details this model we learn that to genuinely help people with their life issues we need to far more than flippantly offer feel-good advice or give a pat answer based on we assume we would do in their situation. Sincere, loving help involves meeting the person where he is at, listening without judgement, asking careful questions and then bringing him to Scripture. All of these steps take time and effort and relationship-building, but as Triipp points out, this is our calling as Christ’s ambassadors. We are called to draw people to Jesus through relationship.

After completing this book, I feel more equipped to enter conversations with biblical counseling in mind. I am slower to give answers when people talk to me about their struggles and problems; I restrain my reflex of assuming I know exactly what they are going through or what they should do to fix their problem; and I am putting more effort into asking informative questions so I can gain a better understanding of what their experience is. This book is a rich resource for Christians in all walks of life; after all, we all know people in need of change, including ourselves.

Long Days of Small Things  As I sit here sipping tea and munching cookies I am reflecting on the highlights of my day: 15 minutes of preschool time learning letters and studying a map of the United States; absorbing the sound of squeals and splashes that resulted from a sudden downpour; and ending the day with a look of wonder from my little boy when I found a beloved missing toy octopus.  Motherhood is grueling in every sense of the world. It means isolation, desperation, and exhaustion as a constant companion. It means longing for a break and yet yearning for time to stand still. It means bursting with pride with every new accomplishment yet weeping internally with each stage of growth. It means wanting them to do things on their own yet hurting as they become more independent.  Motherhood is joy and sorrow mingled into a single emotion.

No one captures the essence and intensity of motherhood as succinctly and eloquently as author Catherine McNiel. A beloved mentor of mine introduced me to this author when she sent me a copy of Long Days of Small Things. I began reading it towards the middle of my fourth pregnancy and finished it today. I was impacted from the first page and deliberately did not read the entire book in one sitting because I wanted to adequately digest every thought and internalize each fresh idea.

I appreciated how she was able to speak to me as a woman, as a mother, and as a Christian thus validating that daily struggle to be seen as an individual and cultivate my faith while having so little time and surplus energy to do so. The heart of McNiel’s writing is to affirm every mother and show that motherhood is as spiritually rich as it is all-encompassing.  A favorite element in this book is the ‘PRACTICE’ section at the end of each chapter. Here, she provides practical ways to incorporate the theme of the chapter into daily life without having to do anything extra.  These exercises have refined my approach to motherhood and helped me through some difficult moments.  While I savored this entire book, there are three thoughts that have been especially transforming:

1. Motherhood is sacred.  We are the only beings who have been blessed with the experience of creating and sustaining new life. This gives us a unique view into the heart of God.  We have an inexplicable bond with the life that came from us and thus we better understand His yearning to be in relationship with those He created.  In all the dirt, chaos, and tears that come with this calling, there is a sense of holiness and connection with God that only we can experience as life-givers.
2. Motherhood is a discipline.  In the sacrifice, surrender, and service that are required of us on a daily basis for the rest of our lives there is a choice. We can choose to despise the demands of our home and little ones or we can view each task, each routine, each change in plans as an opportunity to choose joy.  To be a joyful mother is to be aware of Christ and all that He has done for me, His daughter. The practice of spiritual disciplines does not need to be lost on mothers for our days are filled with moments for meditation, prayer, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, submission, service, confession, worship, guidance, and celebration. We simply have to be creative and ready to seize those moments as we can.
3. Motherhood is in this moment and this moment and this moment… Despair and desperation often come when we dwell in the past or rush into the future. Such joy and wonder come from simply being – right here, right now. Take the time to be aware of all that each of our five senses are absorbing: the dancing eyes, the stream of childish chatter, the squeeze of pudgy arms around our neck, the scent of baby, sharing favorite treats. Being in the moment is what makes them linger for today and in our memories forever.

While reading this book, I recognized the intensity and impact that motherhood has on mothers. It’s not something that we can ever retire from even after the nest is empty; it is simply an identity that adjusts to the next stage our children enter. It is a beautiful, life-giving and life-altering identity. This book is a must-read and a re-read for every mother.

 

If ever there was a book that spoke my heart, it is the Life Giving Home by Sally and Sarah Clarkson. This mother-daughter team wrote this book out of a deep desire to refresh the image of home in modern society. In today’s high speed, screen dependent world where virtual relationships are more common than those of flesh and blood, it is common for home to simply mean a place to eat, sleep and store stuff; in reality, the home should be the place where life is nurtured, battered hearts are mended, dreams are encouraged and fears assuaged. But how does one go about cultivating such a haven of a place when life is just, well, so busy?

Place. It begins with recognizing that if you are a human being you need a home; not simply four walls and a roof, but a place where you belong.

 Each of us longs for a place to belong, a connection that gives roots to our wandering lives. Our hearts hunger for a community where we are intimate members, a sense of belonging to people who love us. Our souls crave a purpose bigger than our jobs, a connection to a sense of meaning. We yearn to know that our own stories have significance in the grander scheme of God’s megastory. All of these may be found in home – a place to belong, a people to be a part of, and a purpose where God’s righteousness and design are celebrated and cherished in community every day. (Clarkson 8)

People. In order to have a home in every sense of the word, there need to be people willing to take the time to make it. This doesn’t mean you quit everything you’re doing in the world and never leave your house; it does mean that turning that building into a cozy place of comfort, beauty and safety is one of the highest priorities in your life. Your presence and care should be present in every nook and cranny of that house, no matter how small or large your abode is. Each of the five senses should come alive with delight in every being who crosses your threshold.  Love, joy and peace should be the ambiance of your dwelling place.

Even as an orchestra needs a conductor to choose the music, lead rehearsals, and unite all of the instruments into a harmonious sound, so every home needs someone who conducts what I call the life music of a home – its atmosphere. The one who conducts is responsible for bringing out the swelling themes, the steady bass notes, the drama of percussion kept in its place, the soaring melodies and intricate counterparts – all the instruments sounding together in a symphony of grace. (Clarkson 24)

Purpose. Finally, a home is not a home without a vision or direction in place for the lives who live within it. That direction comes from seeking the beauty in the mundane and ordinary aspects of life; from finding meaning in every day and month of the year; from creating traditions that celebrate the triumphs of individuals and the family as a whole; from making every meal a feast and savoring it together; from working, playing, talking and being silent together; from inviting others in and making them a part of your tribe; from knowing when to withdraw from the world so your family has time to heal and knowing when to step out and be involved with making the world a better place.

Home is your garden of life, so to speak, and you are free to order it and plant it as you will. But all great works of life must be planned in order to make them productive, useful, and flourishing. With a garden, the more ground that is planted, the more yield to the crop. Similarly, the greater care we take with planning our days and years, the more productive we will be. Great works of life art don’t just happen. They must be imagined, planned and worked on before they become a reality. (Clarkson, 44)

To conclude, this book is one that has transformed my outlook on cultivating my home and nurturing the souls within it.  I am inspired to make every day count in the minute ways just as much as in the major ones. Sally and Sarah have challenged me to make my home not just a haven for my own family but also for those who I can invite in to it. In addition, I am more in tune with the significance of the senses when cultivating growing hearts and minds. The whole person never ceases to absorb its surroundings, thus necessitating that every sense has something rich and invigorating upon which to feast.

While this book was written by female authors, they received input from the males in their family as they wrote. It contains home-making ideas for singles, couples and families, as well as grandparents. Without a doubt, all who love HOME will benefit from this beautiful read.

 

What do the Olympics, WWII and sharks have in common? If you guessed Louis Zamperini you are absolutely correct.  Before Hillenbrand’s Unbroken (and subsequent film) was published, this name was unknown to me. Now? Well, now it pops into my head every time I think of war, fighter jets, Japan, lost at sea or running. This epic narrative is life-shaping: not simply because of the nail-biting suspense, the jaw-dropping peril or the unfathomable evil that one encounters in its pages, but because of the endurance and strength that gripped one man’s soul when death seemed to be the only option.

Louis “Louie” Zamperini was a thoughtless, reckless and self-indulgent young man who seemed destined for a life behind bars. His town hated him, his parents despaired for him and the law was determined to catch him. However, through the persistent hope and coaching of his older brother, Louie discovered that his feet had wings. He rapidly established a name for himself in high school track meets and eventually found himself competing in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. While he maintained a lifestyle of wild living, competitive running gave his life meaning and purpose. He set his sights on the 1940 Olympics in Tokyo.

War changes the timeline of the future. Grappling with despair over the cancellation of the 1940 Games, Louie enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Through all of his military training he kept a rigorous fitness routine to maintain his speed and agility.  After December 7, 1941 and America’s plunge into the war, Louie’s life was changed forever.  He and his flight crew began flying perilous bombing missions throughout the Pacific theater. On May 27, 1943, their plane went down in the Pacific’s shark-infested waters. He and two other crew members, one being the pilot, were the only survivors of the crash. The third man passed away after a few weeks in the life raft; Louie and Phil, the pilot, were at sea for a total of 46 days. Their “rescue” by the Japanese resulted in two years of brutal imprisonment by Axis forces, causing Louie to often long for the freedom he had once had on that tiny life raft surrounded by sharks.

At the end of his imprisonment, Zamperini was confronted by how much he had changed; he no longer knew how to live in the regular world. He suffered from severe post-traumatic stress disorder and sought escape from the torment of sleep through alcoholism. He was racing himself towards destruction. Friends pleaded with him to stop drinking; his family begged and prayed for him; even if he wanted to stop the drinking and his violent tendencies, he no longer could. Outwardly his body seemed free; inwardly he was a tortured man and only a miracle could save him now. That miracle came through the preaching of Billy Graham at his Los Angeles revival.  Here, God exchanged Louis Zamperini’s heart of stone for a heart of flesh that longed for repentance and forgiveness. Within minutes he was a changed man – no more drinking or reckless living. He was a transformed life who went on to bring transformation to many more lives through his thrilling, heart-stopping, God-honoring testimony.

While reading about Louis Zamperini’s life online or watching Angelina Jolie’s film production of this book are valid options, I would recommend reading this book for three reasons:

1. The Relevant History. Laura Hillenbrand presents a superb blending of historical fact and personal narrative through her writing. I learned more fascinating details about the intricacies of WWII,  the American fighting machine and the Japanese involvement than a dozen textbooks could have ever taught me. This was because the relevancy of these facts was now personal; I had an investment in history because my friend Louie was living it. I was experiencing the danger, the politics, the evil and the good in a tangible way through her exhaustive research and clear writing.
2. The Human Encounter. There are few things more devastating or inspirational than human nature, and war pulls the curtain away from both sides. Louie and his compatriots were brutalized in unspeakable ways by their captors; captors who could no longer be described as human for their actions were barbaric, leaving hundreds of thousands of POWs and civilians murdered. Yet some managed to escape the death clutches of these cruel people. How? Through acts of kindness, through maintaining a sense of humor, through camaraderie, through faith and hope and love. This is the other side of being human – the side that remembers there is a God in the midst of war.
3. The Divine Challenge. Unbroken is God’s story. Louie could not have experienced or endured what he did without God’s orchestration of every detail. Through the horror and through the triumph He shines glorified. The triumph would not be so satisfying if the horror had not been so devastating and therein lies the challenge: are we willing to zoom out of the story in order to view the larger narrative, to step away from the book and scan the entire library of history? If so, we can see that the human timeline is connected from beginning to end with the single focus of God’s redemption of mankind.

This book would be an excellent New Year’s read as it will inspire and challenge you. It will inspire you to live nobly and challenge you to keep your perspective on the larger narrative, the library of life.

 

Is it possible for a scarecrow story to move a reader to tears? I didn’t think so until I read this poetic tribute to a representative of harvest. In The Scarecrow’s Dance, author Jane Yolen and illustrator Bagram Ibatoulline weave a rhythmic narrative about a scarecrow who is inspired to dance one windy autumn night.

  An autumn eve, the moon was high…out in the field, stiff and forlorn, the           scarecrow stood and watched the corn…the wind blew high, the wind blew low…his feet of straw began to prance, his knees of straw to bend and dance…

He becomes swept away in his harvest dance of delight and suddenly springs from his pole!  Leaping, twirling and pirouetting, he passes through the cornfields, explores the barnyard, and slowly makes his way to the farmhouse that is settling down for the night. He is drawn to one of the lighted windows and eases closer to peer inside.

He pressed his nose against the glass…and watched a child on bended knees begin a prayer by saying, “Please…”

Intrigued, the curious scarecrow listened closer as the child prayed a prayer of blessing for the entire farm.

“And bless tonight our old scarecrow who guards the fields and each corn row…”

The faithful scarecrow was deeply touched by that simple prayer; so touched, in fact, that he crept away from the window and danced his way back to the empty pole in the vast cornfield. There, he knelt and prayed a simple prayer of his own. What did he pray? We are left wondering – about the content of his prayer and at the fact that after he finished he leaped into the air with all of his heart …

And…“Slid back onto his wooden pole, which – tall and straight – just fit his soul…

What about this story is so moving to me, a city girl who has never depended upon a scarecrow’s vigilant watch? Perhaps it is the fact that I can identify with the weight of responsibility upon his straw shoulders; perhaps it is the fact that all which he seeks to embrace with his outstretched arms is simply too vast and this reminds me that sometimes my heart desires the impossible as well; perhaps it is that we both share the desire to dance and embrace the beauty of the world that surrounds us; perhaps it is the understanding that the responsibility we have to those depending on us is far more valuable than the tantalizing lure of shirking that responsibility.

This season, as you grab your pumpkin spice drink and curl up to read a fall story, take a moment to be inspired by a scarecrow.

“For anyone can dance,” thought he, “But only I can keep fields free.”

 

The Homeschool Experiment   Motherhood can be overwhelming; there are days when I feel like I don’t even enjoy my kids because I am so immersed in caring for their basic needs. It’s difficult to imagine adding formal education into the mix.  In fact, the book cover alone was something with which I could identify before even reading the introduction.

Charity Hawkins knows how to write a good story. I kept double-checking the introduction to verify that it was indeed a novel: Julianne Miller, the protagonist of our story, seemed so real, so authentic, so ME! I found myself laughing, crying and yearning right along with her as she learned the rhythm of mothering and teaching her three young children while also donning the hats of wife, daughter, sister and friend. I know I have read a good book when throughout the day I find myself thinking about the new friend to whom it has introduced me and wondering how she would approach the situations I am facing. Charity’s authentic character refreshed my outlook on motherhood and all it entails.

As I progress through the day-to-day, I now remind myself:

That childhood should be lived slowly. Our fast-paced, goal-oriented society puts a lot of pressure on moms to keep their kids going all the time. Simply being at home is rarely viewed as enough. But childhood only happens once and it’s a rare and valuable time that children need to experience fully. It is a time for them to grow comfortable in their own skin, cultivate their imaginations and build a defined character. “We sit in the field, as the kids run and tumble and laugh, while we twist clover crowns for them…This, I can give my children, I realize. This, they need. In an age of electronic toys and standardized tests, of hurry and stress, we all need this. Time to sit and be quiet…The clover crowns will break by this evening and life will move on. Babies will grow up; children will grow tall. But right now, we have childhood and lengthening shadows and quiet moments and clover crowns.” (203)

To pause as needed. There is always more to do: dishes, laundry, errands, meal prep, housework, and all the teaching and training that comes with kids.  Sometimes I feel like I never get ahead in anything! Those are the very times when I just need to snuggle with my kids and read them a book or maybe two or three.  Snuggling and reading together is always a good idea; the housework will wait for another hour or day, but there will come a time when my kids won’t be within arms reach and ready to read, “just one more story.” Or maybe we all need to go out for a play date with friends so they can run around with other little people and I can have nourishing conversation with other moms. Or maybe we will just lay in the grass in our backyard and find shapes in the clouds.

To grow with the season. Since I am a mom with young children it means that this is still a new stage in life for me. It means that the ‘me without kids’ was not that long ago so it’s easy for me to compare that me with the ‘me with kids.’ Oh my! That me could jump out of bed and have personal devotions with bright eyes! That me could exercise every day, stick to my weekly cleaning routine, and remember what I ate for dinner the night before. This me hits the snooze button on my alarm several times before struggling out of bed, has almost forgotten what it’s like to take walks at a normal pace, has a perpetually messy, grubby house and struggles to remember what I had for breakfast. Even though I often feel like I’m falling apart I’m learning that this is a type of growth I’ve never before experienced.  It’s the kind of growth that is helping me define my intangible priorities – that I’m walking slowly because I’m accompanied by little legs; my house is messy because I’m not alone during the day; I’m tired because I am making time for my husband after the kids are in bed; I can’t remember some things because I’m focusing in on others.

That children are people and not tasks. I often make the mistake of planning into my day time with my kids. This often leaves me feeling rushed and flustered because I feel like I need to get through it in order to move on to the next thing. In the course of reading this book, I observed Julianne incorporating her children into everything she did, from housework to errands to serving others to making gifts for family members. Not only did this help her accomplish all of her daily tasks, it also provided an endless number of teaching opportunities and conversation topics with her children. Ultimately, that is what mothering and homeschooling are all about: preparing our children for lives as adults. Children learn best by example and when they work and live with us they learn from us.

Julianne’s story might be a novel but the truths that permeate its pages are relevant to every mother seeking to live nobly.  As she so eloquently stated near the end of the book, “We think we value ease and luxury, diamonds and crystal, but we don’t. We value fulfilling work, truth and honor, family and friends, lives well lived, love freely given.” (226) Cherish being a mother, my friend!

 

 

“Don’t Make Me Count to Three!” I sometimes have days when I feel like I have only heard my own voice repeating the same instruction a hundred times. Other days I feel like I am truly negotiating with terrorists: trying to find the most tactful way to get my kids to do what I want without inciting a rebellion.  So when I picked up this book with its catchy title, I was eager to learn new tips on training my children in a biblical manner; I was not disappointed. Ginger Hubbard soaked in Tedd Tripp’s Shepherding a Child’s Heart and sought to put it’s concepts into practice with her children. Her main objective was to parent not just according to Scripture but with Scripture. In her book, she details the why and the how-to of training one’s children in righteousness. Here are a few highlights that I gleaned from this practical little book:

• Do not separate the rod from reproof. Training means children shouldn’t simply be told they have done wrong and then punished for it; it means they need to understand why they are being disciplined and how they could have behaved differently. They should be shown in Scripture why their actions were dishonoring to God and their parents and then led to practice the correct form of behavior. Scripture always partners the rod with reproof: one without the other can lead to anger and bitterness in a child’s heart.
• “Obey all the way, right away and with a happy heart.” It is easy for moms to think that giving second (and third) chances or numerous warnings is kind, loving or cool. We often reason that maybe our child didn’t hear us or fully understand us the first (or second) time.  Sometimes we are busy with something or someone else and it’s simply not convenient to discipline the first offense. However, delay  is harmful to moms because it allows emotions to escalate, resulting in our disciplining out of frustration or anger rather than as a built-in consequence to disobedience. Delay is also harmful to our children because it teaches them that immediate obedience is optional, not required. They must also learn that complete obedience must be done cheerfully and not begrudgingly for this will eventually transfer to their relationship with God.
• Biblical discipline points to Jesus. Training my children in righteousness is so much more than simply creating little minions who do my bidding so that my life is easy. Ha! As if that would ever happen!   Rather, it is my calling to lead my children to Jesus by raising them to obey immediately and joyfully. Showing them that obedience is in Scripture also creates in them the awareness that God expects to be obeyed in all things; anything less will result in discipline from Him. I am obeying God when I train my children to obey me and their father.

The above points are just a few of the many thought-provoking lessons I learned from this thorough book. She details the gentle verbal reproofs we can use to guide our children along with the verses from Scripture that we can share with them to validate our reasons for disciplining. She also presents daily scenarios we may encounter and how to handle them in a calm and consistent fashion. If you only have time to read one book in the next few months, I would urge you to choose this one. It has the potential to transform your disciplining strategies in a way that will bring you much peace of mind. I will definitely be reading it again!

 

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien is probably a familiar title to all of you, but when did you last read it? The last time I read this book was about 16 years ago; now my husband and I are reading it together, and it feels like reconnecting with an old friend with a hint of reading it for the first time.  The adventure and intrigue are as fresh as ever, but my grasp of the deeper meanings is richer. The fantasy has not lost its powerful grip on my attention, yet now I found it almost comforting to have my eyes nestled in the pages of this timeless classic. Courage in the ordinary heart has taken on a new meaning for me as I need it more than ever before as I raise my children to be ready to take on the world outside our door.