Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
I needed this book. I normally read one or two theology books annually. This book was recommended by a mom friend, and I chose it as my Lenten read (although it wound up being an Easter-in-a-pandemic read -- and so it goes). I was on a certain road with religion, infusing it with contemplative practice, and getting a wee bit frustrated at all I was doing without in this season -- both in church involvement and in personal practice. So this book helped weave together all I have come from and all I was yearning for and helped me to appreciate how appropriate a spiritual practice intensive parenting really is. I am well rooted in mindfulness, and the same letting go needs to apply in the mundane, just in smaller snippets sometimes.
This book is exactly what I needed as I patiently await the birth of my six child.
Loved this take on motherhood as a gift, grace and spiritual discipline - stretching, growing, expanding us as women (and men) through simple, daily acts of service and love. Very affirming that although the traditional spiritual disciplines of quiet, solitude, meditation, prayer, fasting etc may be elusive at this stage of life, God is with us in all of the wonderful mess of raising children.
A note on format: if I was being picky, I think the beginning chapters of the book really struck me particularly. I wonder if perhaps it didn't need to be quite so long (it wasn't laborious, a light read, but I felt all of the essential points were made and then repeated...) but it is certainly a point worth drumming home; God is incarnational in nature and it was women (not men!) who were chosen to be involved in Jesus' birth and also the first to witness and proclaim his resurrection to new life- only the two most significant chapters of his life! What we do day-in and day-out is not insignificant, rather it is very close to God's own heart.
A note on format: if I was being picky, I think the beginning chapters of the book really struck me particularly. I wonder if perhaps it didn't need to be quite so long (it wasn't laborious, a light read, but I felt all of the essential points were made and then repeated...) but it is certainly a point worth drumming home; God is incarnational in nature and it was women (not men!) who were chosen to be involved in Jesus' birth and also the first to witness and proclaim his resurrection to new life- only the two most significant chapters of his life! What we do day-in and day-out is not insignificant, rather it is very close to God's own heart.
reflective
medium-paced
Not really into this book it was disjointed
In some ways, it didn't feel like this book was written for me. It uses a language for God that makes me squirm and expresses a faith that is a tad bit foreign from my own. There were things that didn't echo with my own heart but there was so much that did.
I'm a first-time mom with a six month old baby. I've struggled to find time to read this book simply because she's become the active feeder and it's hard to hold an actual book (rather than my Kindle) during feedings and so it took me a whole lot longer than I thought it should to savor these words.
Catherine McNiel invites moms just like me to slow down and pay attention. At times, this seems repetitive. It feels like the practices she's offering are exactly the same and sometimes like it's just too much to hold in your head while changing another dirty diaper, nursing, driving to the grocery store, tackling the clutter on the counters (I loved this one), nursing and so many other moments where we could pause and pay attention to what God is doing in this moment. I loved this reminder just to notice the many ways that God is incarnate. God is tending the holy with us. It is truly something to celebrate.
I'm so grateful for this nudge to my spirit to practice motherhood in the same way I've tried to practice my faith and my ministry.
I'm a first-time mom with a six month old baby. I've struggled to find time to read this book simply because she's become the active feeder and it's hard to hold an actual book (rather than my Kindle) during feedings and so it took me a whole lot longer than I thought it should to savor these words.
Catherine McNiel invites moms just like me to slow down and pay attention. At times, this seems repetitive. It feels like the practices she's offering are exactly the same and sometimes like it's just too much to hold in your head while changing another dirty diaper, nursing, driving to the grocery store, tackling the clutter on the counters (I loved this one), nursing and so many other moments where we could pause and pay attention to what God is doing in this moment. I loved this reminder just to notice the many ways that God is incarnate. God is tending the holy with us. It is truly something to celebrate.
I'm so grateful for this nudge to my spirit to practice motherhood in the same way I've tried to practice my faith and my ministry.