Risen Motherhood

As a mom of three little girls under five years old, I often feel overwhelmed and tired. I frequently hit the internet in search of the secret to living in a way that can honor God and make my days less chaotic and out of control. I first heard about Risen Motherhood from a friend and the first episode I listened to was about potty training. I couldn’t believe how moving it was. It’s not every day you hear the gospel so expertly integrated into cleaning up potty accidents. When I heard they were releasing a book I was thrilled and after reading, my expectations were exceeded.The problem with so many “mom” books is one of two things. Either they offer good suggestions and strategies, but miss the heart of the issue or they are full of Christian sayings and Sunday School answers, just love Jesus more and everything will be easy. Risen Motherhood is through and through gospel centered, turning my eyes away from myself and the everyday and onto the good news of Jesus. The book begins with the right focus, a beautiful overview of the gospel story, and introduce a practical framework to look at everyday moments through a gospel lens.In each following chapter, Emily and Laura address common topics by balancing relatable stories from their own lives as moms then apply the gospel framework to each unique issue moms encounter.The personal stories resonate so deeply with me, it was almost like each snapshot was from my own life. They aren’t writing from 20 yr old memories of parenting, but are in the same trenches each day that I am as a young mom. All the topical chapters are fantastic, but Chapter 7 The Gospel and Our Mundane Moments touched my heart in such a special way. I am certain this is the role God has called me to at this point in my life, but it often feels like it isn’t enough, like I’m not fully reaching my potential or using the skills God has given. I know taking care of my kids has eternal value, but how can my day to day be really that glorifying to God? This quote really resonated with me and I think it is the perspective I would like to have day to day at home.“It might be mundane to fold laundry, but it’s extraordinary to do it patientlywith joy and a heart of love. It might be mundane to sit on the couch and readanother book to a whiny four-year-old, but it’s extraordinary to show kindnessand mercy to an undeserving sinner. It might be mundane to fill the fridge withgroceries, but it’s extraordinary to praise God for his provision. Our everydaymoments might be ordinary, but when we accomplish them while displayingthe fruit of the Spirit, they reflect our extraordinary Savior.”This book is one that every young mom seeking to honor God in their parenting should read. It’s Christ-centered without being preachy and practical without being a how to manual. I’m certain it’s something I’ll go back to again and again. Highly recommend!

I've been an avid listener of the Risen Motherhood podcast for about three years, since it's beginnings or pretty close to it (maybe I was behind but motherhood affects my memory so forgive me for having bad timelines). Anyway, I love every second of the podcast, from the jingle to Emily and Laura's laughs and honesty. It's just everything I would want a podcast to be - quick, thoughtful, and about Jesus.When they said the Risen Motherhood book was coming out, I jumped at the chance to be on the launch team. Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler are my BFFs that I've never met. I can relate to each of them very well in terms of motherhood, writing (although they obviously are more serious about theirs than I), and trying to be a mom/wife/friend/person who follows Jesus and looks at life through the gospel lens.I received an advanced e-book copy of the book. It was very exciting to have the material but I learned one thing - I hate e-books. I just cannot make it through one as quickly as I can a hard copy book! I don't know what that is? It's very frustrating because I loved the material and writing in the book but had a hard time wanting to read it once I stopped because of the copy. As soon as I got my actual copy of the book - BAM, it was done! So take that for what it is, I prefer the book itself to flip through.As for the material of the book, whoa - this is just one of the best books I could ever recommend. The format of the book is one of my favorite things. If you're familiar with the podcast, it follows the metanarrative of Scripture: the creation, fall, redemption, and consummation (which was a term I had not heard of prior to listening to their podcast). I like the familiar so it's nice to go through that expected format when reading.I couldn't pick a favorite chapter if I tried. The closest I could come would be the chapter on special needs children: "The Gospel and our Children with Differences." I feel both gals (who both have kids with special needs) do a terrific job of protecting the privacy of their children while also diving deep into the heart of what it's like to mother a kid with special needs. Having a couple kids with a couple different special needs myself, this chapter is just near and dear. It's not a topic a lot of people would tackle or tackle with such a positive outlook. This is not a "You can do it, you're super mom!" kind of rhetoric we get from the world, but this is a "God is good, even when this is hard, and He is with you" kind of message that we special needs moms really need. A can-do attitude doesn't help me when my son has seizures or anxiety, but Christ does help me. I need this perspective. Every mom needs this perspective. How do you mom without Christ? I couldn't.The only thing I dislike about this book is that it's taken so long for it to be written (couldn't this have been written in 2007 when I had my first kiddo?). And it could be a million pages longer. I'm so thankful for this ministry and this book and these ladies bringing my focus back to Christ all the time.

Every mom needs to read this especially postpartum as I did. Middle of the night breastfeeding and diaper changes, this book brought me so much encouragement in what could be SUCH a dark and lonely time. I truly was able to commune with God in a way I didn’t know was possible. This is one of the most biblically accurate, God glorifying, and gospel centric, yet real books I’ve ever read. This book changed my view of motherhood for the better! The gospel can feel so distant to what we’re walking through sometimes, and this book nailed what it looks like to apply gospel truths to all parts of motherhood. This book not only gave me a framework of how to apply the gospel in motherhood, but the format and break down of the book truly helped me apply the 4 parts of the gospel to all of life.