What's it about?
The book explores how our relationship with our children can help us better
understand our relationship with God. Sometimes we can understand God's
perspective from our experiences as mothers and sometimes our children can show
us how better to be children of God.
What did you like about it?
The style is easy to read, and is very autobiographical. I liked this
approach as it shows the author is writing from personal experience rather than
trying to produce a "one size fits all" template. However, although
personal, many of the lessons she's learnt apply to others too.
What didn't you like?
The author's Roman Catholicism comes across very strongly sometimes, and
so readers of other traditions may have difficulty with some of the theology,
especially in the section on baptism. Also, some of the things which worked
for her simply aren't practical for others. For example, we don't all
have a cupboard under the stairs which we can easily clear out to make into
a mini prayer room to disappear into every day!
What will you still remember a year from now?
The idea that communion is like God breast feeding us – providing all we
need with love. And the idea that prayer is like a baby crying for its
mother.
Who would you recommend this book to?
Any Christian mothers, but especially those with babies and/or smaller children.
Can you give us a couple of good quotes from the book?
"Often, in order to help a baby, we have to make it wait while we prepare
something for it's good. The baby howls, unable to understand why its
mother will not comfort it while it is crying for her so hard… So may we think
of God our mother preparing all things for our good… when she seems unable to
hear us she is merely unable to make us hear or understand how swift will be
our relief, and how much worth waiting for."
"As mothers, we must listen to God in the experience of our own motherhood."
review by Anne-Marie
