I stayed up way past my bed time to inhale every ounce of the encouragement she had poured onto the pages. There was a chance I’d regret the late night when I received my 6 a.m. wakeup call from my Little Man. I decided to take the chance.
I’m glad I did. Lisa-Jo Baker is my kind of writer. Honest.
Tears rolled down my face. A mascara stain now adorns the cover of my copy of Surprised By Motherhood: Everything I Never Expected About Being a Mom.
Right there on page 131 Lisa-Jo summed it up. It’s like she wrote the words just for me. The challenges of raising a very strong-willed two-year-old. I could have shouted a big AMEN. Sometimes a spanking just fuels the fire. A spanking does more harm than good.
Not everyone understands that, but mama’s of strong-willed toddlers do.
They understand the frustration. The unmet expectations. The embarrassment. The battle. The little heart who one day (you pray) will be hard-headed and passionate for Jesus – not just wanting to stay outside and drinking your Dr Pepper.
Oh the glory of reading Lisa-Jo’s words and realizing I wasn’t the only one who had felt desperate, lost, and afraid of screwing up the Little Man in my care.
Grace oozed from the pages. A balm soothing my weary mama soul.
I thanked Jesus when I read these words.
“There’s no rage like the exhausted rage of motherhood.”
“How my parenting had mostly been a mixture of embarrassment and frustration.”
If you’re a mama or a soon-to-be mama, grab a copy of this book and dive in. Let the words bring some joy into your dirty diaper days. I promise you they will.
*Today I’m linking up with Lisa Jo for Five Minute Friday. You can join the fun and get a dose of encouragement here.
***The winner of the signed copy of “Surprised By Motherhood” is……
Jennifer Lee says
Thank you, thank you!! I know the book is going to be good when your review of it makes me cry! Oh, these strong willed, precious little people!! May God pour out His grace on us an on them!! Thanks again!
Jennifer says
Jennifer – yes, I bawled through the book. I know you are going to love it! Watch the mailbox 🙂
Jen Weaver says
Loved your review of her book! So glad to have found your site through FMF.
Jennifer says
Thanks for stopping by Jen! I just loved the book! Have you read it?
Anita Ojeda says
I’m on the downhill slide of active parenting (one baby birdy married and the other one a junior in college), but I certainly remember the strong-willed years (they popped up again just this year in our college girl). It DOES get better. Keep close to the shepherd who gently leads those who have young ones :). Hugs!
Jennifer says
Love the verse that promises God will lead us! Thanks for stopping by my blog and for the encouragement! 🙂