Making Motherhood

Hey mamas, sisters, and friends! I recently had the opportunity to be a part of a Women’s Christian Event in my area with a resource table for Making Motherhood. It was mainly an evening of worship and praise to connect with other women in our county who are hungry for Christian fellowship. At the beginning of the night when women were arriving, they were able to grab appetizers and peruse the resource tables–that’s where I came in. Making Motherhood had a table set up to provide resources and Christian content to the community…and that’s what I want to share with you today! 

Here’s three categories I’ll touch on: 
1. Christian Book Recommendations 
2. Kids Books and Wholesome Music Recommendations
3. Biblical Questions and Encouragement (Sanctification + Gratitude)

First, I’ll share a list of my top Christian Book Recommendations. These are all books I’ve read, or in the process of finishing up. I’ll break the list into different genres of Christian literature to help you find something that suits your current interest. But like I said, I recommend them all!!

Christian Stories/Missionaries:

• Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan (preferred modern day version revised by Alan Vermilye)
• Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis Major
• Daring to Hope by Katie Davis Major
• Dorie: The Girl Nobody Loved by Doris Van Stone with Erwin W. Lutzer
• And the Word Came with Power by Joanne Shetler
• My Dear Hemlock by Tilly Dillehay
• Joni: An Unforgettable Story by Joni Eareckson Tada
• The Heavenly Man: The Remarkable True Story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun

Theology:

• The Doctrine of Repentance by Thomas Watson
• Every Woman a Theologian by Phylicia Masonheimer
• The Eclipse of God by Erwin W. Lutzer

Parenting/Christian Living:

• Glimpses of Grace: Treasuring the Gospel in Your Home by Gloria Furman
• Parenting Scripts: When What You’re Saying Isn’t Working, Say Something New by Amber Lia and Wendy Speake
• Mother Culture by Karen Andreola
• Triggers: Exchanging Parents’ Angry Reactions for Gentle Biblical Responses by Amber Lia and Wendy Speake
• God Is Still Good by Katie Faris
• Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp
• “Don’t Make Me Count to Three!” by Ginger Hubbard
• Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches by Rachel Jankovic
• Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Earley
• Grace Based Parenting by Dr. Tim Kimmel
• The Cranky Mom Fix by Becky Kopitzke
• Keep a Quiet Heart: 100 Day Devotional Readings by Elizabeth Elliot
• M is for Mama by Abbie Halberstadt
• The Whole and Healthy Family by Jodi Mockabee
• The Uncommon Woman: Making an Ordinary Life Extraordinary by Susie Larson

Next, I’ll share my list of Kids Books and Wholesome Music Recommendations. The books and music on this list are best suited for toddler to elementary ages. I have found these books to helpful in teaching my kids about the Christian life alongside reading the bible (as our main source of teachings). I have put a star next to my favorites.

• Big Truths for Little Kids by Susan Hunt and Richie Hunt **
• Big Thoughts for Little People by Kenneth N. Taylor **
• Jesus and My Gender by Dale Partridge
• ABC Bible Verses for Little Ones by Rebecca Lutzer
• C is for Christian: An A to Z Treasury of Who We are In Christ by Alistair Begg
• Arch Books Bible Stories (some examples are below…but the list is endless)
  • Tiny Baby Moses
  • Jesus Teaches Us Not to Worry
  • Mary and Martha’s Dinner Guest
  • The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids
• The Ology by Marty Machowski
• Truth and Grace Memory Book One by Thomas Ascol
• Anytime, Any Place, Any Prayer by Laura Wifler
• Read It, See It, Say It, Sing It by Hunter Beless
• Prayers and Promises for My Little Girl by Stormie Omartian
• Prayers and Promises for My Little Boy by Stormie Omartian
• Home is Right Where You Are by Ruth Chou Simmons

My music suggestions can be found on YouTube or anywhere you stream music from. Songs for Saplings has even helped me memorize scripture! New City Catechism Kids has been an awesome playlist in introducing theology to our littles (Catechism is usually associated with Catholics, but catechism simply means a summary of the Christian religion in the form of questions and answers). Adults would benefit from these songs, too! Cedarmont Kids have enjoyable Christian songs that are wholesome and peaceful to the ear. 

The last thing I have for you are some bible questions and encouragement! Take what you need and maybe add this to your next quiet time or bible reading.

Sanctification: Growing to be More Like Christ
There are three components to a Christian’s salvation. They are justification, sanctification, and glorification. The process of sanctification can best be described as growing to become more Christ-like. Let’s read and reflect more about this topic!

• Read Luke 6:27-36 and then write down what Jesus is telling us to do.
• Read Matthew 5:13-16 and then write down what Jesus says about believers.
• Read 1 Peter 3:14-17 and write down what Peter, an apostle of Jesus, teaches us.
• How can you become more like Christ in your walk with the Lord from what these three passages tell us?
• Draw a line depicting what the process of sanctification will look like through your lifetime?
• In what ways is God sanctifying you in this current season?

Grace + Gratitude: Thanking our Savior for his new mercies everyday!

• Scripture: Write down Ephesians 2:8-9
• Observation: What stands out to you here? What is this verse teaching you about the word of God? Who is writing this passage? What else do you notice about the context of the scripture?
• Application: How can you apply this scripture to your walk with Christ? What steps do you need to take to embrace this truth of God? How can meditating on this verse grow your walk with the Lord?
• Prayer: Write down a prayer to our Lord. Use your understanding of this scripture to pray a specific prayer about what you learned.

Gratitude: Write down three things you are thankful for this week and your reason why.

Okay mamas, sisters, and friends–that’s all I have for you today! Please SHARE this blog post to your friends! There’s so many good things you can find in this post and I pray it blesses you and others. Let the Lord direct your steps in what supplemental tools you can be learning and gaining wisdom from–with the number one priority of reading the bible! Peace be with you. Until next time!