The Product of Your Hands (M.O.M. Book Club & Link-up – Week 1)
It took me quite awhile to get through the first chapter of The Mission of Motherhood (M.O.M) because of distractions and vacation. When I finally, for the third time, sat down to read the first chapter something jumped out at me…
“Give her the product of her hands” Proverbs 31:31
The product of my hands.
What will be the product of my hands? I am thinking about this question and have so many thoughts on it that I do not have time to express right now. Truthfully, I am returning from vacation and didn’t realize I scheduled the start of the book club on the day I’d be getting home. As much as I regret my poor planning, I do at least want to share with you my favorite quotes from the first chapter and a bit from the discussion questions (I will will write more on the product of my hands as soon as I can).
Quotes that stood out to me:
“Somehow, over the course of the last century, traditional motherhood had become a lifestyle option-and to many, a lesser option-rather than a divine calling.”
“As much as I loved my children, I often felt like a failure. Surely someone else could do a better job with these precious ones than I.”
“We mothers have the opportunity to influence eternity by building a spiritual legacy in the lives of our children.”
“My calling as a mother is the same as any other Christians’: to fulfill God’s will for our lives and to glorify him.”
“Saying yes to the mission of motherhood has certainly not meant giving up my ministry. To a great extent, it is my ministry.”
What I love about Sally is that she went to the scriptures to find out for herself “just what God, the Designer himself, had in mind when he created the role of mother thousands of years ago.”
Book discussion:
Something to think about…
Psalm 127:1 – What, according to this verse, is the secret to the success of a godly family? What will happen to the work of the house building if parents are not following God’s path?
Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman keeps awake in vain.
I was surprised that Sally chose this verse, but I’m glad she did because it reminds me that I need to be on my knees before the Lord praying that God would build our home for his glory. Also, he has shown me in his Word his design for the home, so if I follow his plan, he is building our home. It is an interesting two part observation that presses me deeper into prayer, the Word, and obedience.
Something to Try…
I’m going to buy a blank book for each child and write their story and add to it every year on their birthdays. I love this idea.
Your Turn! Link-up your blog and let us know if you are following along in the book club. Then, leave your thoughts on the first chapter in the comment section.
There are two parts I love in chapter one. The first is on page 1 – (I've mentioned this before). She talks of telling her children heroic "joy" stories or make believe stories where her children are the characters and they do something special to bring someone else joy.
As a result of reading this book, I have been telling my children joy stories for 4 years and they LOVE it! I tell them over lunch, at bedtime, in the car, or in the Dr.'s office. The children love them – and I believe it plants a seed in their hearts to desire and dream of doing great things for God.
One other quote I liked is on page 14 "The real abiity of a mother to secure such a spiritual legacy is based on the strength of her relationship with her child."
It's our relationship not rules that will mold our children.
Courtney
Courtney(WomenLiving´s last [type] ..I Dont Need a Spa – I Need Solitude!
Courtney(WomenLiving´s last [type] ..I Dont Need a Spa – I Need Solitude!
I hadn't planned on participating but after reading up more on this book and reading your comments I have decided I need to get this book. I've also decided that verse, Psalm 127:1 needs to be on a wall somewhere in my house. :)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts/reviewing this book, even though I've not started it the snippets you're sharing are a blessing.
Erin
http://homeswheremyheartis.blogspot.com
Erin´s last [type] ..Cute LittleMushrooms
Erin´s last [type] ..Cute LittleMushrooms
Oh my, I think I have way too much to say about what I have read and I didn't even complete the entire first chapter! I was teary-eyed just reading through the introduction. Sally's statement that "no matter what culture tells us, I've discovered, and no matter what directions our own desire may push us, the only way to true joy and peace is God's way" rings so true to me. Never in a million years did I picture myself as a mother, didn't think I wanted that life. I was always looking for the next thing that would fill this need for me to be "important" or to feel fulfilled. Becoming a mother and truly recognizing it as a mission, gave me great peace and joy. A satisfaction that could not come from anywhere else even if I didn't get the recognition I always believed I needed. God gave me that feeling of joy and fulfillment. He made me feel excited about my new role! Motherhood was a part of my "life-story" even though I never knew it. Sally says, "…following God's design for living is the true key to finding myself–to becoming the person he had in mind for me all along". So true!
I also love how she talks about her relationship with her mother. What a blessing to have such a mother. I so want to be that to my children.
This will have to be a book that I return to time and again. Very inspiring!
Jenna´s last [type] ..Two New Books!
Jenna´s last [type] ..Two New Books!
Sarah Mae
I didn't read/follow directions, my "discussion" is my post. Hope that's OK. What a great Chapter!
Kathi
Kathi´s last [type] ..Turning EIGHT was Great!
Kathi´s last [type] ..Turning EIGHT was Great!
I am still waiting for my copy of the book to arrive… the post and Courtney's comment certainly have me excited to get started.
I purchased this book because I've always felt lacking in my role as a mother. Our household has reversed roles – I work while my husband stays home with our boys. While it's been great for the boys, it's always been a struggle for me. I hoped that this book would help me find that balance I don't feel I have. I posted more details in my blog, but one thing that really stood out while reading was Sally's comparison between the strength of our relationship with God and that of our relationship with our children. Also this comment from p.16 "… my influence on my children is limited only by the smallness of my dreams and my lack of commitment to the Lord and his purposes."
My children were 10 and 5 when I accepted Christ and I admit that I haven't been as successful in modeling what a strong Christian should be as I should have been.
Bobbey´s last [type] ..Mission of Motherhood – Chapter 1
Bobbey´s last [type] ..Mission of Motherhood – Chapter 1
I'm joining in on the fun too. I've read this book before but I think it might be a good time for me to reread it. I've just got to figure out how to do the linky now. :-)
I am a couple of days behind. I am the opposite of you Sarah. I am getting ready to go on vacation, so there is ALOT of prep time. I so loved the start of this book. I became a mother at a young age. I always wanted to be a mother. But the lie that the enemy feed me, and what I believed for so long, was "anyone can be a mother, you need to be out in the world to be productive." So I was never content to be a stay at home mom. I always felt useless, a waste, a failure. And the world and relatives just added to that empty pit. It is refreshing to be taught that Gods plan and idea of motherhood is different. Sally has a great way writing and teaching Gods word. I can't wait to read more of the book and chat about it with others. **S**
I found your blog while I was surfing one nite. I was surprised to see this discussion…as I just started Sally's Mission of Motherhood…having just completed the Ministry of Motherhood! I am a working mother. I had to wait a long time to become a mother, and God fulfilled that purpose through adoption. While in many ways I am a comfortable mother, as my daughter has just passed the 6 year old mark, I'm finding that motherhood is WAY more challenging in the "little" details that are actually so BIG! From the verse Sally gave for discussion, it is clear…our focus is to be on the Lord…giving Him the watch over our homes and lives or it is all in vain. I am a Christian and walk that out daily…but not near as contemplative as I need to be. Not near as purposeful as I need to be. I'm learning that I don't have to be perfect. It is normal to feel the overwhelmingness of motherhood at times…but you get through them by pressing in to the Lord and His word. We also need to talk with girlfriends, share our concerns and prayer needs, and be more purposeful in those relationships and that of our family at home, including husbands. I believe I'm learning that the purposeful actions in relationships are what builds the solid foundation and makes the storms that inevitably come (and the days where I'm not so great due to my sinful nature, life's overwhelming duties, etc)not rock the core. The storm may still rage and sway a few things but it will not change the foundation that has been laid. That's the beauty of keeping focussed on Christ and giving Him his rightful place in my life and our home.
I'm looking forward to this discussion and reading this book with others.
So many good things both in the introduction and the first chapter. In the introduction I loved the following quote. "But I'm still learning, and the lessons God has taught me as I sought to embrace his mission for motherhood have been truly life changing–and a source of unbelievable blessing." Thank you Lord for continuing to work in our hearts and lives as mothers as we seek You.
I truly appreciated the fact that she "finally decided that I needed to search the Scriptures to find out for myself just what God, the Designer himself, had in mind when he created the role of mother thousands of years ago." So often we can fall into the trap of determining something and never pausing to search out what Scripture has to say on the subject. I am thankful for her reminder and pointing to God's Word to define what the role of mother is for us as believers.
"These ties (concerning a spiritual legacy) are built over a period of many years, through the small ways we spend the minutes of our days and the large ways in which we celebrate the momentous events of our lives." As a mother of young children I appreciate the reminder of the many moments that I can spend strengthening my relationship with them and the focus I can have on leaving a spiritual legacy that will sustain them through many life situations.
Enjoyed reading all of your thoughts on the first chapter and am looking forward to diving into the next chapter!!
"
Jennifer´s last [type] ..Worth Listening To
Jennifer´s last [type] ..Worth Listening To
I just bought this book and will read it tonight. I am a wife, mom of twin 16 1/2 yr old daughters, bombarded by "Christian" parents who tell me we are too strict and to lighten up. We feel we are going to stand before a very Holy God and are accountable for these children and want to do it right! Thank you for doing this, I am so convicted that I am wasting time and am encouraged to do better!
I loved reading Sally's words, "I can still hear my mother's voice in my heart as I face different situations" and how we are a cheerleader, prayer warrior, generous giver and wise mentor to our children even when they are grown.
This first chapter really hit me with the eternal perspective and importance of our role as mothers.
The quote in my comment is on p. 14. :)