With time, God used the support of other women and a loving church to bring me to a place of hope, but I wish I’d had a book like Mothering From Scratch during those difficult months. Melinda Means and Kathy Helgemo breathe life into the soul of this weary mom with their words and let me know I am not alone.

The authors begin the book by describing their own struggles with motherhood and the solutions which didn’t work for either of them. One of the traps many moms often fall into is comparison. Melinda and Kathy show with grace and truth how comparison will only lead to feelings of inadequacy and failure, and will not solve any of the problems we face as moms.

New motherhood requires and new formula, and discovering this truth frees us to be the moms God created us to be.

Another area of motherhood the authors address is balancing our role as a mom with pursuing our dreams. Many times as women we think if we do not pursue a goal right away, we will miss our opportunity and never have another chance to do so. Melinda and Kathy talk about the live-giving truth that our dreams do not have an expiration date, and how often we have to put our aspirations on hold to address the needs of our family, especially when our children are young and demand more of our attention.

If God placed a dream within our hearts, he will be faithful to see it through in his time. Doing so does not require us to neglect our families or assume an all-or-nothing mentality.

When we’re in the trenches of motherhood, one of the most vital choices we can make is to seek God’s guidance through prayer, time in the Word and the help of the Holy Spirit. The writers discuss the importance of intentionally carving time into our busy schedules to spend with God and listen for his promptings when making important decisions. Often, our lives become so filled with good, but distracting things that we cannot hear his still small voice. Finding a quiet space, even if for a very short amount of time, can help us become more in tune with his will.

Mothering is a journey where we are constantly discovering what works and what doesn’t, and there will be seasons where we have to readjust our methods as our kids become more independent and move into new phases of life. Being flexible and willing to change is key. Seeking God’s guidance is essential.

If you are a mom at any stage of the mothering journey, I would highly recommend this book. These writers will take your hand and show you that with time, effort, and a heaping spoonful of grace, you can thrive in this God-given assignment.

GIVEAWAY:

As a personal thank you to my readers, I am giving away a copy of Mothering from Scratch. To enter the drawing, simply post a comment in the section below. To be entered a second time, share this post on Facebook, Twitter or Google+ and let me know you’ve done so in your comment. I will announce the winner on Thursday, April 30th. U.S. Residents only please.

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Posted April 28, 2015 at 9:01 am by Rachel Quigley This is so true, Abby! And it’s great to know we don’t travel this road of motherhood alone! I remember days in the beginning thinking… I’m never going to have a full nights sleep again… I’m never going to eat a meal without interruption… but alas it happens and that first full night’s sleep is a dream come true… and sometimes a terror thinking “what’s wrong?” “How did I do that?” “Is my child still alive?” — Yes, sometimes I would jump to some crazy conclusions! :) I love the internet and the connections we can take part in. Even though we may feel alone, we are not! :) Thanks for the encouragement! Like Like Reply Posted April 28, 2015 at 10:34 pm by Abby I agree, Rachel. I have made so many connections online and through blogging which have been such an encouragement to me. I’m so glad I con’t have to walk this road alone. Thanks for your support, friend! :-) Like Like Reply

This is so true, Abby! And it’s great to know we don’t travel this road of motherhood alone! I remember days in the beginning thinking… I’m never going to have a full nights sleep again… I’m never going to eat a meal without interruption… but alas it happens and that first full night’s sleep is a dream come true… and sometimes a terror thinking “what’s wrong?” “How did I do that?” “Is my child still alive?” — Yes, sometimes I would jump to some crazy conclusions! :)

I love the internet and the connections we can take part in. Even though we may feel alone, we are not! :) Thanks for the encouragement!

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Posted April 28, 2015 at 10:34 pm by Abby I agree, Rachel. I have made so many connections online and through blogging which have been such an encouragement to me. I’m so glad I con’t have to walk this road alone. Thanks for your support, friend! :-) Like Like Reply

I agree, Rachel. I have made so many connections online and through blogging which have been such an encouragement to me. I’m so glad I con’t have to walk this road alone. Thanks for your support, friend! :-)

Posted April 28, 2015 at 9:19 am by Karen Brown This sounds like a great book! Thanks for sharing it here. I love your perspective on the journey all mothers go through and the biggest lesson we all must learn: “Being flexible and willing to change is key. Seeking God’s guidance is essential.” Amen! Loved your message here. Like Like Reply Posted April 28, 2015 at 10:36 pm by Abby Thanks so much for stopping here today, Karen. I’m so thankful for the connections I’ve made through blogging. Each of you are such an encouragement to me. Like Liked by 1 person Reply

This sounds like a great book! Thanks for sharing it here. I love your perspective on the journey all mothers go through and the biggest lesson we all must learn: “Being flexible and willing to change is key. Seeking God’s guidance is essential.” Amen! Loved your message here.

Posted April 28, 2015 at 10:36 pm by Abby Thanks so much for stopping here today, Karen. I’m so thankful for the connections I’ve made through blogging. Each of you are such an encouragement to me. Like Liked by 1 person Reply

Thanks so much for stopping here today, Karen. I’m so thankful for the connections I’ve made through blogging. Each of you are such an encouragement to me.

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Posted April 28, 2015 at 9:54 am by maryhopecampbell That sounds like a helpful book! I’m not a mom yet (one of these days!!), but I have worked with kids a lot as a teacher and childcare worker at church. It’s helpful to hear that you can’t just do one thing that will always work…you have to keep hearing from God and growing along with the children (I’ve experienced this a bit with teaching.) Thanks for sharing! Like Like Reply Posted April 28, 2015 at 10:37 pm by Abby Yes Mary, I heard Lisa-Jo Baker once say that we all mother in some way whether we are actually moms or not, and I agree with that statement. Thanks for stopping here today and have a great week! Like Like Reply Posted April 29, 2015 at 10:10 am by maryhopecampbell Well said! I’m glad that we can mother people our whole lives. :) You are welcome! Have a peaceful day as well. Like Like

That sounds like a helpful book! I’m not a mom yet (one of these days!!), but I have worked with kids a lot as a teacher and childcare worker at church. It’s helpful to hear that you can’t just do one thing that will always work…you have to keep hearing from God and growing along with the children (I’ve experienced this a bit with teaching.) Thanks for sharing!

Posted April 28, 2015 at 10:37 pm by Abby Yes Mary, I heard Lisa-Jo Baker once say that we all mother in some way whether we are actually moms or not, and I agree with that statement. Thanks for stopping here today and have a great week! Like Like Reply Posted April 29, 2015 at 10:10 am by maryhopecampbell Well said! I’m glad that we can mother people our whole lives. :) You are welcome! Have a peaceful day as well. Like Like

Yes Mary, I heard Lisa-Jo Baker once say that we all mother in some way whether we are actually moms or not, and I agree with that statement. Thanks for stopping here today and have a great week!

Posted April 29, 2015 at 10:10 am by maryhopecampbell Well said! I’m glad that we can mother people our whole lives. :) You are welcome! Have a peaceful day as well. Like Like

Well said! I’m glad that we can mother people our whole lives. :) You are welcome! Have a peaceful day as well.

Posted April 28, 2015 at 10:19 am by betsydecruz I always enjoy book reviews, and you’re encouraging me today with the thought that my dreams don’t have an expiration date. I can work on them one step at a time as I live out my priority of investing in my family. Blessings to you as a mom, friend. God is using you to encourage many! Like Like Reply Posted April 28, 2015 at 10:38 pm by Abby I was encouraged by the writers saying that too, Betsy. Sometimes I fall into thinking those dreams do have an expiration date, but we serve a mighty God who gives us a time and season for everything. Thank you so much for your continual encouragement on this journey, friend. Like Like Reply

I always enjoy book reviews, and you’re encouraging me today with the thought that my dreams don’t have an expiration date. I can work on them one step at a time as I live out my priority of investing in my family. Blessings to you as a mom, friend. God is using you to encourage many!

Posted April 28, 2015 at 10:38 pm by Abby I was encouraged by the writers saying that too, Betsy. Sometimes I fall into thinking those dreams do have an expiration date, but we serve a mighty God who gives us a time and season for everything. Thank you so much for your continual encouragement on this journey, friend. Like Like Reply

I was encouraged by the writers saying that too, Betsy. Sometimes I fall into thinking those dreams do have an expiration date, but we serve a mighty God who gives us a time and season for everything. Thank you so much for your continual encouragement on this journey, friend.

Posted April 28, 2015 at 10:37 am by Dana Oh, that silly comparison trap. I dislike it so much!!! I think it gets us all, no matter the stage of motherhood. Great post, Abby! Like Like Reply

Oh, that silly comparison trap. I dislike it so much!!! I think it gets us all, no matter the stage of motherhood. Great post, Abby!

Posted April 28, 2015 at 5:12 pm by Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God Abby, I like what the authors have to say about your dreams not having an expiration date. I felt like I had to write when my kids were younger or I’d lose my skills. I found that very challenging so I don’t know how you do it??? So then two years ago, at age 52, I was sidelined with a complex surgery and my blog was born. God was just giving me years of fodder to write about lol, but no, dreams do not expire thankfully! Blessings, Bev xx Like Like Reply

Abby, I like what the authors have to say about your dreams not having an expiration date. I felt like I had to write when my kids were younger or I’d lose my skills. I found that very challenging so I don’t know how you do it??? So then two years ago, at age 52, I was sidelined with a complex surgery and my blog was born. God was just giving me years of fodder to write about lol, but no, dreams do not expire thankfully! Blessings, Bev xx

Posted April 28, 2015 at 7:19 pm by Lisa I love these to ladies that wrote the book. I been following them when I can on face book. I keep telling myself to get the book. We do need mentors on this journey of mothering. We do need to be a community and help each other remember that God has great plans in mind for us and our kids. I will share this post. I know so many moms would be encouraged by this. Thanks Abby for caring about the hearts and well-being of Moms. Like Like Reply

I love these to ladies that wrote the book. I been following them when I can on face book. I keep telling myself to get the book. We do need mentors on this journey of mothering. We do need to be a community and help each other remember that God has great plans in mind for us and our kids. I will share this post. I know so many moms would be encouraged by this. Thanks Abby for caring about the hearts and well-being of Moms.

Posted April 28, 2015 at 7:20 pm by Lisa Reblogged this on Me Too Moments For Moms and commented: Moms helping Moms!!! Like Like Reply

Reblogged this on Me Too Moments For Moms and commented: Moms helping Moms!!!

Posted April 30, 2015 at 2:37 pm by Kelly Balarie Thanks Abby! I need all the help I can get. I think sometimes I need to be more flexible. I am very formula driven in a way. Sounds like a great book for me. Thank you for reviewing it and putting it on my radar! Thanks for being a head cheerleader with Purposeful Faith! Like Like Reply

Thanks Abby! I need all the help I can get. I think sometimes I need to be more flexible. I am very formula driven in a way. Sounds like a great book for me. Thank you for reviewing it and putting it on my radar! Thanks for being a head cheerleader with Purposeful Faith!

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Hi! I'm Abby and I'm so glad you're here. I am a wife and a mom of two very energetic boys. When I'm not chasing them around I love to write about my love for a God who relentlessly pursued me, even during my darkest times. Read more...

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