The Beauty of Motherhood

A no-chill newsletter about releasing a book

Welcome to Walk & Talk, my monthly newsletter to share stories, inspiration, and hope. I’m Kim Knowle-Zeller, mama, pastor, and writer. I’ve lived in West Africa and one summer hiked 500 miles across Spain, and now I call Cole Camp, MO home with my husband, two children, and dog. I love to walk, talk, and share stories. Thanks for being here!  

Dear Friend,

To think that I’m writing this note to you for March 1st, the month my first book The Beauty of Motherhood: Grace-Filled Devotions for the Early Years launches into the world feels so surreal.

They say (not sure who ‘they’ is) but nevertheless when you're in the weeks leading to your book launch the author should be doing ‘all the things.’ There's pitching for podcasts and articles. There's reaching out to mom’s groups and churches to speak. There's calling bookstores to arrange for book signings and other author events. There's the asks to anyone and everyone to preorder the book and invite them to share the book with a friend. There are endless emails.

But here's another thing, and this actually is THE thing that is allowing me to do all this work. I love writing and recalling the goodness of God right here and right now.

God’s grace meets me each day as I dole out snacks and prepare food. God’s grace meets me in the pick up line when we’re running late. God’s grace covers me when I lose my patience and tempers flair. God’s grace dwells in our home sharing a Bible story at dinner and reading books on the couch. God’s grace comes to me in the text from a friend and praying in community at church.

And this grace is for you, too.

Every day at the end of preschool my son, Isaac, hears the same words. The students line up in the hallway, coats bundled, and their bags swinging on their arms. In front of them four teachers stand and call for their attention. Every day they say, “and remember we love you.” These five words are soaking into each child, pouring into their hearts and minds, reminding them that they are loved. This is our hope with The Beauty of Motherhood — that you would be wrapped in God’s love with the reminder you’re not alone. Yes, book promotion is a lot of work, but it’s also a joy. Ultimately, Erin and I believe that this book will be a balm to mothers and a safe space to land when they’re in need of God’s mercies each day.

Wherever you find yourself this month, whatever heartache you’re holding, whatever worries weigh you down: remember you are loved.

With gratitude,

Kim

P.S. Preorders are so important! If you’ve preordered already, thank you! Hit reply and I’ll send two prayer prints created by Little Great Design Co.

P.P.S. Want to be a part of our launch network? We’ll send you two emails sharing how you can help support the book. That’s it! Sign up here!

Mark your calendars for a Virtual Book Launch for The Beauty of Motherhood on Tuesday, March 21st, 7 PM CST for a couple readings, a Q&A with us, and giveaways. Here’s the zoom link to join.

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My Favorite Things

Listen to Erin and I as we talk about what is enough on the She is Kindred Podcast. We also have conversation about motherhood and comparison over on the Lady Preacher podcast.

Indeed, whenever a mother, grandmother, or caregiver picks up The Beauty of Motherhood we hope they feel God’s overwhelming goodness and grace in their lives. We want a mother to look at herself — in all the worry, mess, dirty diapers, meals to prepare, and endless to-do’s — and know she is loved by God.

Read two excerpts from our book at Presbyterian Outlook.

This Lent if you’re looking for a way to pay attention and find hope through birdwatching, check out this practice from Courtney Ellis about #birdfromthelord

A few essays I’ve enjoyed include this one on siblings and doing hard things.

The Siblings

This essay on being in a new place and seeing the beauty before you from Jenna Brack

You Are Here: An Expat Arrival Tour

These words from Sarah Bahiraei on when the weary world shakes and her experience in Turkey following the recent earthquakes

When the Weary World Shakes

I love this creative exercise to look at pieces of art and recreate the pictures from my friend Jenny

Creating Forward // Jan 2023

I’m planning on attending this virtual workshop with my kids on creating side-by-side.

Books I’m preordering:

• My Body and Other Crumbling Empires: Lessons for Healing in a World that is Sick by Lyndsey Medford.

• Create Anyway: The Joy of Pursuing Creativity in the Margins of Motherhood by Ashlee Gadd.

• All Who Are Weary: Finding True Rest by Letting Go of the Burdens You Were Never Meant to Carry by Sarah Hauser.

What I’m Reading: If you could know the date you would die, would you want to know? That’s the question addressed in The Measure by Nikki Erlick! This book is full of questions about life, love, and choosing to find beauty in the days. The Measure is a sweeping, ambitious, and invigorating story about family, friendship, hope, and destiny that encourages us to live life to the fullest.

What I’m Cooking: We made these Dutch baby pancakes for Fat Tuesday (yum!) and this easy sheet pan garlic chicken was quick to throw together on a weeknight.

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If you’d like to support our book a few ways that are so very helpful include: preordering your own copy, buying a copy for a friend, texting a few friends about the book, sharing this newsletter, requesting your library to purchase a copy, and finally after March 21st leave a review on Amazon or anywhere books are sold!

I’ll be back in your inbox the first Wednesday in April! So grateful for you!