“Losing a mother doesn’t happen in a moment. It takes years to appreciate the impact of what’s gone.”~ Surprised by Motherhood.

Surprised by Motherhood 3b

Welcome to week 2 of the Book Club. Here’s how it works each week:

Every Monday: Discussion video posted on the blog – feel free to leave your questions in the comments.

Every Monday Night: Live Q&A discussion on Twitter using the hashtag #surprisedbymotherhood

Every Wednesday: A discussion around some of your questions on the blog.

Every Friday: A Free, Useful, help-you-hold-onto-your-sanity Printable posted on the blog for all book club readers.

OK, happy Monday – grab yourself a cup of something warm and a few quiet minutes of mom-time alone and read along with me.

Read:

Chp 3: From Zululand with Love
Chp 4: A Great, Big Man Named Chuck
Chp 5: Two Funerals and a Baby Shower

{If you haven’t already – you can pick up a copy over here.}

Watch:

Chapters 3 & 4: I got to chat with one of my oldest friends, Christie Purifoy, who knew me in my “I would rather run away from home than have babies” days. I wrote the last 3 chapters of the book in the very farmhouse we filmed this video in. Come and pull up a chair:

Click here if you can’t see the video.

Chapter 5, which is my love letter to South Africa, had to be a conversation with Kate Motaung. Kate and I have lived the same life in opposite directions – while  was born in South Africa and fell in love in the States, she grew up in Michigan and then moved to South Africa for the next decade where she had her three kids. I love how she loves and understands South Africa and it’s unique backdrop for this chapter.

Click here if you can’t see the video.

Discuss:

Take a few moments today to think through the questions below and feel free to share your answers in the comments. Or use them as you talk through the book in your MOPS group or with your book club.

Chapter 3

  • In what ways do you “tightrope between old habits” (before kids) and new ones? Which parts of your ‘old self’ do you try to cling to most?
  • What memories do you have of your own mother during your childhood, and how do they impact and affect the way you parent now?

Chapter 4

  • What did Church look like for you in your growing up years, and what do you want it to look like for your own children?
  • Was there ever a time that you knew you didn’t want to have children? If so, what changed?
  • When and how have you felt pressured by others regarding motherhood (either to have kids or not to have kids; to pursue a career or not to pursue a career, etc.)?

Chapter 5

  • In the video, Lisa-Jo talks about how she felt Jesus’ presence so strongly in the midst of her mother’s absence. She also shares how He surrounded her with supportive women and mother figures who helped to fill the gap of losing her own mom. How has the Lord provided for you in ways that you never expected?
  • How and when have people in your own life stepped in and filled a gap in some way?
  • Describe a time or an experience when you understood what it means to be sad and well at the same time.

Scripture passages for this week:

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for
my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29)

“The memory of the righteous is a blessing …” (Proverbs 10:7a)

the memory of the righteous is a blessing

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” (Psalm 55:22)

OK, YOUR TURN – share your answers and observations in the comments – let’s crowd source encouragement for this journey deep into the heart of motherhood together.

Just click here to leave a comment.

{Photo credit: Jacque Watkins}