Lisa-Jo Baker

Did you ever think that parenting is as much about teaching you as it is about teaching your children? This is the most beautiful book on the art and sacrifice of parenting I’ve read. I keep re-reading it. Here is the challenge that we are meant to feel bent, exhausted, stripped of ourselves and empty. That it’s not a mistake. It’s an on-purpose gift to parents. Those who learn what sacrifice looks like from Jesus’ perspective – often at 2am while someone is up with a tummy bug.

This book is linked with the post “For when you're tempted to just lose it with your kids”.

Here’s the devotional version of Sacred Parenting and it’s what I grab off my nightstand when I need to be reminded parenting is supposed to hard. It’s supposed to be growing me into a better version of myself and not just figuring out ways to keep all 3 kids in bed come 9pm. Parenting is a lifetime of unlearning the habits of self and learning the habits of the Father God. Daily reminders. Highly recommended.

For those days when you lock yourself in the bathroom just so you can have five minutes in peace and quiet to check email on your phone. Seriously, my friend Kristen knows crazy. She pretty much wrote the book on being *that* family. You know the ones. These short devotionals will make you feel like finally there’s another mom who understands. And can laugh with you, encourage you and maybe bring over a cup of sweet tea too.

The first baby book in three kids that didn’t make me made me want to throw it out the window. I raved about Spirit-Led Parenting: From Fear to Freedom in Baby’s First Year over here. If you’re a new mom and feel like motherhood is a test you’re failing – seriously, please read this book. On giving up what “they” say and embracing a gentler way.

This book is linked with the post “For when you think you're failing motherhood {quick, break glass and read this book instead!}”.

Did you know that Madeleine L’Engle spent nearly a decade getting rejection letters for A Wrinkle in Time? Most of them during what she calls “the tired 30s.” She is my hero because, like me, she worried about her lack of house keeping skills and inability to make a decent pie. She felt guilty for writing and yet couldn’t give it up. If you’re a mom to young ones who tries to juggle motherhood with another passion, this is the book for you. Encouragement, deep thinking on the nature of words all wrapped up in a grand sense of humor. One of my all time favorites.

The funniest Christian satire written from the perspective of woefully inept Adrian – I’ve owned this book for decades. Anytime I need to remember to laugh at myself and love the messy Church for all its foibles and follies I read this. The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass, Aged 37 3/4 is good medicine for any cynical Christian’s soul.

We have two very rowdy, action-packed boys. The Bible is full of action packed stories. These are their favorites. Like by far. So when I discovered this comic-strip style Bible with illustrations that speak to the heart of any boy, I clicked “add to cart” immediately. True to the original narrative; captivating for imaginations young and old, Bible story time is gonna be changing at our house! Seriously, you have to see the incredible illustrations. Just wow!

My friend Melanie wrote this book with the same side-splitting humor and tender understanding of the highs and lows of motherhood that she shares on her blog – thebigmamablog.com every day. It’s one of those “burn the dinner, bath water goes cold” page turners. So relateable, so encouraging, so delicious you won’t want it to end. Nothing spells encouragement for tired moms everywhere like this heartfelt and hilarious chronicle of motherhood from everybody’s favorite big sister. It comes out on February 2013. Seriously, pre-order it now. You’ll thank me for it!