Thank you Alison for the sweet and generous gift of your friend Shauna's book. (Bittersweet, by Shauna Niequist). I found it to be a quick read with many engaging topics that a woman in our stage of life (married/motherhood) could relate to. In particular I identified with her thoughts on the pain of miscarriage and appreciate her willingness to be open about her experience. I know that several of us have suffered from the pain of miscarriage, some more recent than others, and I'd encourage you to read her thoughts (in particular the "What Might Have Been" Chapter). I loved her encouragement regarding the act of creativity and hope to employ it more in my own life. I think I sometimes hesitate to be creative (for me the chosen form would be writing) because I think there is no real purpose to it, no real need... what I have to say has probably already been said by someone else, most certainly in a better way... To this she says, "We create because we were made to create, having been made in the image of God, whose first role was Creator." So there! Whether it's creating things with your kids, writing, or interior decorating I would LOVE to hear more about how any of you identify with your "creator" side!!
What I wanted to share however, and what I thought we would ALL relate to and enjoy - a high point in the book, in my mind - was this:
Chapter: "Eight for Eight"
"Motherhood has rumbled over us like a freight train, rendering us in some moments out of control and humbled, positions we're not accustomed to. We're get-it-done women. We've handled everything, all the time, all at the same time. We've made lists and plans and back-up plans. And motherhood laughed at our plans, twisted up our expectations, and gave them back to us upside down, covered with blood and stretch marks and Goldfish cracker paste." Ha ha!! So true!! At least it resonates with me... does it with you?
She goes on to say... "We have been made vulnerable by motherhood as we have by nothing else in our lives."
That is it for me. It sums up in one word what my soul has encountered and my natural inclinations fight against... a vulnerability at every turn that tells me, I am not in control, the world does not revolve around me, I can not escape or distract from the pain of life, I can not see the future, I can not control the future, my timeline is irrelevant, my self-centerdness is inexcusable... I could go on.
The JOY in all of it... I know that God is using this season, this vulnerability, to make me and mold me and shape me into that unavoidable bond-servant ideal He depicts in His Word and demonstrated through His Son. What a task He has in store!
What I wanted to share however, and what I thought we would ALL relate to and enjoy - a high point in the book, in my mind - was this:
Chapter: "Eight for Eight"
"Motherhood has rumbled over us like a freight train, rendering us in some moments out of control and humbled, positions we're not accustomed to. We're get-it-done women. We've handled everything, all the time, all at the same time. We've made lists and plans and back-up plans. And motherhood laughed at our plans, twisted up our expectations, and gave them back to us upside down, covered with blood and stretch marks and Goldfish cracker paste." Ha ha!! So true!! At least it resonates with me... does it with you?
She goes on to say... "We have been made vulnerable by motherhood as we have by nothing else in our lives."
That is it for me. It sums up in one word what my soul has encountered and my natural inclinations fight against... a vulnerability at every turn that tells me, I am not in control, the world does not revolve around me, I can not escape or distract from the pain of life, I can not see the future, I can not control the future, my timeline is irrelevant, my self-centerdness is inexcusable... I could go on.
The JOY in all of it... I know that God is using this season, this vulnerability, to make me and mold me and shape me into that unavoidable bond-servant ideal He depicts in His Word and demonstrated through His Son. What a task He has in store!
2 comments:
Thank you Christy for posting your thoughts. I have really been enjoying Bittersweet. It has given me some great food for thought. Some of my favorite chapters have been "Grace is New Math" and "Say Something". "Say Something" really spoke to me because I have always struggled with talking to people when I know they have gone through hardship. I've always felt like if I didn't have the perfect thing to say, then I would say the wrong thing. It was so good to hear her say that telling someone "I don't know what to say" is comforting. I think it comes down to the fact that people appreciate their pain being recognized. And people don't expect you to have the perfect words of comfort, because there are no perfect words. I now know I will ALWAYS acknowledge someones pain, even if the only thing I can say is, "I don't know what to say."
The other way Shauna has spoken to me is through the way she loves to feed people and enjoy a meal with friends. I love that to, but I very rarely do it. Life is busy, and entertaining is hard with a toddler, as you all know. But I'm not going to let it be an excuse anymore. So, I am having all you ladies over for dinner! Stay tuned for more!!:)
Can't wait to hear everyone's thoughts!
Thanks for your thoughts Hilary! I agree with that lesson learned as well - to say something, even if it's just an acknowldgement of pain - is important. Reminds me of Mike Yankowski of "Under the Underpass" talking about the importance of eye contact with homeless people. It's okay if you don't want to give to them, but give them the dignity of a look...
I'm happy and very excited to participate in your action item as it pertains to a dinner party!! Thanks for the invite!! :-)
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