The Better Mom: A book review

I wasn't sure what to expect when I ordered a copy of "The Better Mom: Growing in Grace between Perfection and the Mess" by Ruth Schwenk.  The title intrigued me and I respected many of the ladies who wrote endorsements in the book. Honestly, I didn't expect to love it as much as I did. :-)

(Proof of all the pages I loved!)

This book isn't a 'how-to' manual for being a mom or tricks on how to perfect our motherhood. Rather, it deals with our hearts and points us to the One who has power to make us a "better mom".  The chapter titles were rather fitting!  They included "I miss my friends!", "No one appreciates all that I do!", "I need some alone time", and "I have no idea what I'm doing!".  I totally understand those feelings! :-) 

One of the sections I love in the book talked about what we feel we are missing out on when we focus on our kids. 

"I need the reminder, so well stated by Andy Stanley (cited in book), 'Your greatest contribution to the kingdom of God might not be something you do, but someone you raise.'  At different times and in different ways, God has reminded me of what kind of ambition matters most. Our greatest ambition is not getting the next promotion, the next sale, or another paycheck. Our greatest ambition is raising up another generation of children to live for God's glory and the good of the world. As moms, we are not just getting by. We are fulfilling God's mission and purpose by shaping kids today for the sake of the world tomorrow. ........What we are doing counts both outside the home and inside the home, but who we are becoming is just as important." ~ Ruth Schwenk

It's not just being a mom, it's about contributing to society's future by investing in it's future members. It's the calling given each of us personally by God. 

I also loved the chapter I finished yesterday called "I want to make a difference". We each have gifting/talents that it feels like we are wasting when we are busy with the mundane everyday details of life. I have many dreams including writing books or courses, that simply don't fit into my dishes, diapers and toddler season. In this chapter, Ruth emphasized that there are seasons to life. The key phrase is "not yet".  Dreams that don't fit in this season, simply are "not yet". God has missions for us to complete today...but they aren't the only missions God will give us. He has future plans for us as we move into different seasons. 

I'm thankful to Zondervan and Booklook Bloggers for letting me receive a complementary copy of "The Better Mom" for review purposes. As you can tell by my folded corners, there were many loved pages! This book will definitively go on my recommended list and in my collection to loan out to others.