His Calling - My Purpose - Surprised by Motherhood

I sit in awe at the little hands that reach for mine. I smile at the wonder of it all. The fact that I get to feel wet kisses, tuck in all the stuffed animals, and hear little ones call me, "Mommy."But I don't always feel this way.  Sometimes I cry at the tired days, I clench my fist at the ones who hurt my babies' hearts, and I wonder if it is really all worth it.And I will hear the hope and the love in the whispers of, "You are not alone my child.  I gave up my son for the chance for you to call me Daddy. I love you that much. You can do it."And those are the things I heard in this book:book photo reducedFor it wasn't just a book that reminded me that I was not alone in mothering, but that there is a God so big he will create magnificent ways for his purpose to be done through you. And that the purpose of a mother is a beautiful calling. His calling.God gave me four beautiful babies to call my own.  Not one of them was a mistake and I am created to be the perfect mom for them. Not a perfect mom, but a perfect mom for them.  In life and mothering, there is messy. There is broken.Surprised by Motherhood shares the story of hope for healed hearts even in the most broken places.It is written by a woman who welcomes all in to her heart and her story. And y'all, she is so. very. beautiful. And it is not just her amazing smile, but her open heart that bursts through that smile! Lisa-Jo Baker is a soul sister and when you read her words, you will pretty  much feel like your best friend is inviting you in for a cup of warm tea and a sweet piece of chocolate!20140322_174051 You will want to read this book over and over. You will want it on your bedside or you will want to keep it by your bath tub for those long baths late at night when the kids are asleep.  And if those are not happening yet, just keep it in there for when you lock yourself in there for a few quiet minutes! Because even just one chapter will refresh you! But you will want to read the whole thing, and you can buy it today!  YAY!Lisa-Jo shares her transformation from being a woman  who lost her mama at the age of eighteen and never wanting kids to realizing that God's restoration can be found in these little lives. And that God can heal even the most broken hearts.This is not just a book about mothering, but about life.  A memoir about hope, grace, and the love of a Savior.Because in the end, we know that He is saving the best for last! But sometimes we need that reminder in that small whisper. And this book saves the best for last for it gives a way that we can join in the hope. I don't want to ruin it, but it is life changing. For us and for others!Thank you, Lisa-Jo, for the sweet time that we shared talking about motherhood and grace. And thank you for sharing your story of hope and redemption.