I've had one of those weeks where I've been very convicted about how dark my heart is. First, I gloried far too hard when certain politicians that I don't particularly like lost in the Canadian election on Monday night. Victory dance while singing "Hey, hey, hey, good-bye" is probably not appropriate for a Christian, even if it feels good at the time.
And I was also reminded that though it is okay to rejoice in God's victory, it is not God's best to be in glee at a person's death, even an evil person. I'm not saying it's wrong; I'm just saying it's not God's best. And as much as I speak and as much as I write, I keep being reminded that I have so far to go. I hope I never give the impression to all of you that I have arrived already, because I haven't.
One of the things that bugs me about a lot of Christian speakers and writers is that they seem so, well, perfect. I'm not perfect. You should see the piles of laundry waiting to be folded right now. I yelled at my kids when they were little (not that I'm proud of that). I waste time. I'm short with my husband.
I think the Christian church would be a lot healthier if we could admit that we're not perfect. And that's why, when a blogger comes along who deliberately labels herself as "not a perfect mom", I laugh and I know I like her before I even meet her.
That's what I thought about Kristen Welch, whose blog, We are THAT Family, I started reading when she started writing it several years ago. She was quick to share about her foibles with her kids, trying to get them to behave, even though she was definitely not the ideal pastor's wife.
She shared about her struggles. She shared about how her kids didn't always behave. In a series of blog posts she even shared about her husband's battle with pornography (and subsequent healing).
And then Kristen's heart was broken when she went to Africa and saw the poverty there. I understand Kristen's heart; my heart was broken in a similar way. And so I consider Kristen a soul sister.
So when Kristen came out with her first book--Don't Make Me Come Up There--I was thrilled to receive a copy to review.
The book is written specifically for moms with kids at home. Dubbed "Quiet Moments for Busy Moms", she includes 52 2-3 page thoughts to read, each with a verse and a prayer that can help focus your mind and heart while you've locked yourself in the bathroom, praying for a few minutes to yourself. They're not onerous; they're not guilt-inducing. Instead, it's more like talking to a friend who has been where you are, and has some encouragement to offer.
You know I'll love Kristen's book when I tell you that meditation number 24 is "Turned Off", about her family's decision to turn off the TV. I've preached about that relentlessly on this blog, so it's wonderful to see I'm not alone! Kristen explains:
There is a strong pull toward the world and the things in it. Our job as parents is to dig in our heels and fight against the pull.
But lest you fear that all meditations will make you feel less than holy if you haven't achieved this yet, she also throws in "I Lost my Pride in Wal-Mart", "This is Where I Hide in the Garage", or her mortification when a friend realizes that the fcashier at a fast-food restaurant actually knows Kristen by name. (Apparently it's not normal to come to a chick-fil-a so often that you become intimate with the hired help.) The lesson she urges us to learn from this? We're not perfect moms. And please, God, don't let us be plagued by condemnation, but let us rest in Your grace.
If you need some pick-me-ups from a woman who is the exact opposite of the kind of Christian speaker who tries to prove she has it altogether, then Kristen is your woman. And Don't Make Me Come Up There! is your book.
I'm going to give away a copy to a commenter on this post, so leave your name (and fill out the contact part in the comment form) if you want to enter. I'll be drawing the winner next Thursday (May 12)! And remember to visit Kristen at We are THAT Family. You'll be blessed!
The book sounds fabulous, Sheila! And you are the second blogger I have read today that has posted about We Are THAT Family. I am heading over there right now.
I've been reading that blog for years now and love it. I also followed her stories from her visit to Africa and they broke my heart. Most of the time though her blog makes me laugh in thankfullness that I'm not the only imperfect mom out there. I may just have to buy her book.
This sounds like a wonderful book. I'm going to have to check out her blog for sure! Oh, and i'm right there with you about the "perfect moms". I love hearing people admit to mistakes because it gives me so much hope and encouragement that I don't have to me a perfect mom either. :o)
That book sounds wonderful! I would love to read it! I will definitely be going to stop over at her blog.. she sounds like someone I could definitely relate to!
Wow, book sounds fantastic. Just what a mom of kids needs - something to encourage, not discourage. I'm going to check out her blog. Thanks for sharing.
I think I may have stumbled across her blog before. I don't have the leisure to blog-read so much these days, but some bathroom reading material would be great! We can all use encouragement and empathy. :)
That book sounds great. Do moms actually get "quiet moments" after number 2 comes along? Truly? Thought I must confess... I turned on Curious George for my little man while I was on a business call. And i refuse to acknowledge that there is a lock on the bathroom door because I don't want him to learn how to use it lol!
Being a grandmother at 60 with 1 new one on the way qualifies my wife Pierrette as a recipient of this great book I am sure.She sets the examples our daughters follow and, coming from her, they both will need to read this work. Being her husband, I would be so proud to tell her the news. Just being super positively about life. Thanks Sheila Pierre Trudel Thee Quest For Perfect Health
Thank you, Sheila. What a great reminder that we are not perfect, and that no one else is either. I. too. had conflicting feelings and reactions to Sunday night's news.
I have heard about Kristen's blog a few times, and will now make sure I check it out. Thanks for the review and the opportunity to win.
Thank you for this posting, sounds like a great book to read, especially since I have been washing all day, and my dishwasher is still running at 10pm this evening. So glad we can be honest with each other.
This sounds like a great book! I limit my blogreading, so don't follow her, but I have heard of her passion for orphans in poverty, and would love to read her book.
If I'm not the winner of this book I'd sure like to buy it! With 7 under the age of 14 I've sure had the words of the title enter my head many times!! I'm off to check out her blog!
I'm a mom to 3 children under 4, and am nowhere near the mom I always thought I would be or that I want to be! The book sounds like such an encouragement!
I went amazon because i didnt read the bottom of the page... then went back and saw that your gonna give it away...Should i cancel my order...??! im on the edge of my seat? :)this one will be passed around among friends for sure!:)so if u pick me,then a few moms will win!!:)<3 btw came to your blog thru generous wife,its nice:)
About Me: I'm a Christian author of a bunch of books, and a frequent speaker to women's groups and marriage conferences. Best of all, I love homeschooling my daughters, Rebecca and Katie. And I love to knit. Preferably simultaneously.
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The book sounds fabulous, Sheila! And you are the second blogger I have read today that has posted about We Are THAT Family. I am heading over there right now.