This kind of book has the potential to be either twee or holier-than-thou. However this book manages, rather wonderfully, to be neither.

It is a collection of short reflections for, primarily though not exclusively, mothers of young children. There are Bible passages, prayers, practical suggestions and examples from the author’s own life (as a mother of four and a vicar’s wife!) Different subject areas are covered as you read through the book, including quiet rest, prayer, patience and obedience.

What did you like about it?

The author understands what it is like to feel trapped and to have constant demands on your time and attention. But she passes on hope that you can find God in that. Her suggestions are immensely practical and do-able. It wasn’t many pages through the book when I began to think, ‘Can it all be this good?’ It is a good and helpful format. Her examples from her own life are very honest and familiar, from someone who comes across at not a natural ‘home bird’ I began to be able to both see the future and to appreciate what I have now. She passed on hope.

What didn't you like?

The feminist in me did occasionally have her heckles up! But maybe that’s just me!

What will you still remember a year from now?

By the last page of this book, I was in tears. They were tears of hope, joy, repentance, tears of excitement about the future, tears for the passing of time. What I have learned from this book about myself, about God and about prayer will stay with me for a long time. I read this book right through but I definitely plan to reread it in daily devotions size chunks as it was intended to be read.

Who would you recommend this book to?

I would recommend this book to all mothers, of children of all ages. In fact any woman who felt that time was short and her relationship with God was lacking. Although it is primarily aimed at women who are at home with their children, I think the ideas and observations in here are very applicable to mothers who work outside of the home too.

Can you give us a couple of good quotes from the book?

There is the need to be faithful in small things-the ordinary, unseen, undesirable tasks-so that the Lord can train and prepare us for the greater tasks that lie ahead. It was Mother Teresa who said that we cannot all do great things, but what we can do are small things with great love. We spend so much time straining for the great thing that God might have planned for us in the future-wishing away our present circumstances so that we can reach this goal faster, not realizing that the means to a great service, the great task and the ultimate honour is already in our hands, and is performed with perseverance, one small task at a time.

When I talk to my children, it can be quite exasperating. I have to say what is needed three or four times, and even then my words may not get a response! There are three problems: first, I am not catching their attention before I speak; second, when I do speak, perhaps they are not expecting it because they are pre-occupied in their own little world; and third, when I get their attention and they have heard me, they don’t always do what is asked because they don’t like it, don’t want to or can’t be bothered!
I know that we can be the same with our heavenly Father. First, we don’t expect him to speak; then, when he does, we don’t hear; and if God does get us to hear, we don’t always want to obey. Time to grow up?