Cue the confetti! The Beauty of Motherhood is One!

Imagine, God whispers in your ear, this is your life. Do you see it? Do you feel it? Take a look around, and see the beauty of motherhood.

One day after school, I stand by the window at the kitchen sink and a light breeze floats inside. I gaze at the grass that has turned green and the Bradford Pear blossoms in full bloom. The cat slinks her way between my legs while I wash the dishes from dinner prep. I keep my eyes forward and see Isaac, across the street at a friend’s house. I watch him bounce a basketball, toss it to his friend, and try to shoot. Turning the water off, my hands full of soap and warm water, I give thanks for the scene before me.

Another day after school while Isaac is with his friend, Charlotte and I take a walk. Well, I walk and she hops on her bike and blazes ahead of me. I can’t keep up with her. I see her long legs pumping the pedals and her helmet-covered head turning to say hello to neighbors outside. I keep walking and she keeps riding ahead of me.

This is how our afternoons unfold many days in this season. I pick the kids up from school and listen to them regal tales of their day, who was there, what they did at recess, who sat by who at lunch, and what homework is left to do. Once home they drop their bookbags and show me their creations from the day while inhaling snacks and drinking water. Inevitably, we find ourselves outside. Isaac to his buddy down the street and Charlotte to the park with friends or on her bike around the block.

And I take a seat on the front porch, by myself, and watch them take off.

At 9 and 6, the way I interact with my children is different from their baby and toddler years. The physical demands have lessened: no more rocking to sleep, feedings, diaper changes, wrangling a toddler from the playground, building blocks on the floor. But the list of emotional demands keeps growing: navigating friendships, dealing with attitudes, questioning decisions of what and how to get involved with extracurriculars, and conversations with teachers about how our children learn.

One year into The Beauty of Motherhood, I can echo a similar sentiment. I’m not writing in every free moment of my day or brainstorming or outlining or editing. I’m not tending to marketing plans and pitching to publications and podcasts. The phone calls with my coauthor have gone back to regular check-ins and how are you doing rather than the daily texts and messages crossing off our book writing and launch to-do’s.

But, the emotional and mental challenges remain. I still have the same hopes and dreams for the book as I did last year: helping mothers connect with God and with others. I still desire for our book to have meaning for those who read our words. I pray mamas read our stories and feel the grace threaded through their days and the presence of a God who calls them beloved.

But I wonder if I did enough. I fret over sales and marketing and comparing myself to other authors. There is always more to be done and more connections to make, and I’m discerning when to pull back and when to go all in.

Right now, we’re watching The Beauty of Motherhood take root in the world. Through friends sharing with friends, local mom’s groups gathering to read through devotions, pastors giving the book as a welcome gift to new families or at baptisms, our words, stories, and prayers are taking on a life of their own. It’s as if I’m watching from the kitchen window the prayers and stories take hold in the life of mothers.

The book is literally out of our hands, but the prayers and love and hope we poured into it continues to soar through this world meeting mamas in the thick of raising their children.

On this one year anniversary of The Beauty of Motherhood, I sit here on my front porch full of gratitude.

Thank you for championing our book this last year through your kind words, reviews, sharing with a friend, buying for your churches, and sharing with me that our words reminded you of not being alone.

With gratitude,
Kim

Haven’t read the book yet? Click here to read two grace-filled devotions for The Presbyterian Outlook. We also shared a sample devotion as A Balm for Spiritually Weary Mamas for Build Faith, as well as ways your congregation can utilize the book for faith formation and for connecting mothers.

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Ways to continue to support The Beauty of Motherhood

• Share with a friend! Text them a prayer from the book. Purchase a copy for them and mark your favorite devotions with your own note about why the words resonated with you.

• Write a review on Amazon, GoodReads or another bookseller!

• If you’re part of a church, purchase books to be given for baptisms, families with young kids, or for the church library.

• Invite me to come preach, offer a book reading, lead a small group, or facilitate a retreat. Hit reply to this email and we can coordinate!

• Share a quote from the book on social media with a link to purchase.

• Gift a copy to your local free little library. And request your library to purchase a copy.

“Kim and Erin’s style of reflecting is a beautiful testament to the joys and challenges of being a mother today. It’s a wonderful connection to faith and being a mom in this beautiful and sometimes hard world. I highly recommend for any mom with children in these early years or someone supporting one of these moms or reflecting back on those early years.”

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