Today a dear woman is having a baby.
She has labored hard.
And now her baby is here and she is lovingly sharing her with the whole world.
She has labored hard.
And now her baby is here and she is lovingly sharing her with the whole world.
Watch the book’s trailer here (have a few tissues close at hand).
For a more in-depth review click over here on my other blog.
It has been an absolute joy to be a part of Lisa-Jo’s launch team for her book Surprised by Motherhood.
It is no stretch at all to fully recommend this book to you. I wish I could buy one for each of you!
To read the first three chapter for free click here.
I was tickled pink to see that Lisa-Jo chose one of my quotes as one of the Top 10 Reasons you should read her book: “It’s a heart-to-heart from a friend who “gets it”- the hard, the hurt, and the heights of this mysterious messy miracle called motherhood.” -Katie
Imprints Photography
In honor of Lisa Jo Baker’s book, Surprised By Motherhood, releasing today (you know that one you need to read so much- the one about grace in the grittiness of parenting and it’s-going-to-be-okay after all and you’re not failing) we are cheering her on and getting the word out that you deserve a superhero cape!
There are many things that have surprised me about motherhood, but today I am narrowing it down to 5 things. Five thoughts to help you breathe deep and breathe relief in regards to mothering.
1. It doesn’t really matter how your baby arrived (whether it was naturally, with the help of medicine, by c-section or through adoption), what matters is that they are here and with their arrival comes a new life; one who will call you Mom. Sometimes they will say it with affection, sometimes in anger, sometimes with a lisp, but always naming you- again and again, as the one they look to…to help them, to love them, to comfort them. And because you can’t be or do all, you cling hard to the One who made you- who made you for this.
2. There are parts that stink– they are the humbling parts that point to a grander, bigger picture. Washing poop out of undies, off the walls, and out of clothes is a great way to keep you grounded as you do the holy work of raising little people. Your pride bends low as you stoop to clean and find yourself being scrubbed clean in the process.
3. You need grace more than anything. More than the right parenting book, or the right stroller, or the right diapers, or the right schooling options…you need to know that He gives grace to you. Washing you with His Word, rinsing your heart with hope and repeating that He is with you. May you, like she, cling to the hem of His garment so that you can give grace to those that cling to hem of your apron.
4. Slow down. In order to soak it up you need to slow it down. Slow down the scurry and freeze the frantic. Look those gifts in the eyes (even when their eyes are rolling) and tell them over and over again that you choose them, that they are indeed a blessing, and that you do care about the 100th Lego creation they built. As you slow it down you don’t miss out, but you gain much. You kick regret to the curve as you navigate more messes by embracing more living. Invite these little ones in, when you are tempted to shut them out. There are only a limited number of Saturdays left, don’t feel guilty or scared about that, but use it as a reminder to slow...slow dance and slow to get up from the dinner table, and slow to scream all those times you are stressed-out. Slow hugs, and slow good nights and slow tucks in tight with love; lingering over these miracles.
5. Let joy hem you in. Motherhood is serious business. There is a lot at stake, but there is much to gain. There is a time to be serious, but much more time should be given to laughing…when the fart accidentally slips out during the prayer (or when it is totally intentional), when you eat dessert first just because, when you have an epic tickle party (and realize you should have done more Kegels after all). Let the laugh lines come, marking your face- marking this glorious mess with memories of shared joy. Give with joy and thanksgiving to those that fill your home and heart and then take those little hands and show them how they can give big too.
What has surprised you about motherhood? We’d love to hear about it here and also over here.
There are many things that have surprised me about motherhood, but today I am narrowing it down to 5 things. Five thoughts to help you breathe deep and breathe relief in regards to mothering.
1. It doesn’t really matter how your baby arrived (whether it was naturally, with the help of medicine, by c-section or through adoption), what matters is that they are here and with their arrival comes a new life; one who will call you Mom. Sometimes they will say it with affection, sometimes in anger, sometimes with a lisp, but always naming you- again and again, as the one they look to…to help them, to love them, to comfort them. And because you can’t be or do all, you cling hard to the One who made you- who made you for this.
2. There are parts that stink– they are the humbling parts that point to a grander, bigger picture. Washing poop out of undies, off the walls, and out of clothes is a great way to keep you grounded as you do the holy work of raising little people. Your pride bends low as you stoop to clean and find yourself being scrubbed clean in the process.
3. You need grace more than anything. More than the right parenting book, or the right stroller, or the right diapers, or the right schooling options…you need to know that He gives grace to you. Washing you with His Word, rinsing your heart with hope and repeating that He is with you. May you, like she, cling to the hem of His garment so that you can give grace to those that cling to hem of your apron.
4. Slow down. In order to soak it up you need to slow it down. Slow down the scurry and freeze the frantic. Look those gifts in the eyes (even when their eyes are rolling) and tell them over and over again that you choose them, that they are indeed a blessing, and that you do care about the 100th Lego creation they built. As you slow it down you don’t miss out, but you gain much. You kick regret to the curve as you navigate more messes by embracing more living. Invite these little ones in, when you are tempted to shut them out. There are only a limited number of Saturdays left, don’t feel guilty or scared about that, but use it as a reminder to slow...slow dance and slow to get up from the dinner table, and slow to scream all those times you are stressed-out. Slow hugs, and slow good nights and slow tucks in tight with love; lingering over these miracles.
5. Let joy hem you in. Motherhood is serious business. There is a lot at stake, but there is much to gain. There is a time to be serious, but much more time should be given to laughing…when the fart accidentally slips out during the prayer (or when it is totally intentional), when you eat dessert first just because, when you have an epic tickle party (and realize you should have done more Kegels after all). Let the laugh lines come, marking your face- marking this glorious mess with memories of shared joy. Give with joy and thanksgiving to those that fill your home and heart and then take those little hands and show them how they can give big too.
What has surprised you about motherhood? We’d love to hear about it here and also over here.
Imprints Photography
This is great! And those photo’s – oh my goodness! How precious!
Thank you Karrilee.:)
This is beautiful! i agree with all your points…and i love the call to slow and experience all of these things slowly, sacredly…instead of letting them rush by unnoticed… thanks!
Thank you Somer- totally need to remember these daily.:)
Slow down and choose joy – such heart-sweetening advice. Those two ideas are such game-changes in how the daily feels and lives itself out! I’m still surprised every day!