Blue Like Play Dough by Tricia Goyer is a book about those important discoveries that occur in motherhood which shape us and mold us into something better. With a transparent and honesttone, Tricia pours out of her heart the lessons she’s learned along the way. With each growth experience she is adjusted and changed by the work God is doing within her to shape her into a form that pleases Him. We could all benefit from her example of surrender and learn to become putty in God’s hand.
Tricia doesn’t hold back anything of her journey through motherhood. I could relate to so much of it. She shares her need for independence and how she learns to be vulnerable to God and wait when she want to rush in and rescue. She confesses the struggle of sharing parenting with her husband. Learning to appreciate a spouses differences rather than bending them to our desired shape is a challenge I could truly relate to. Marriage isn’t always easy and parenting adds a whole new set of challenges.
In chapter 5 of Blue Like Play Dough, Tricia shares her decision to homeschool. As a homeschooling mom myself I can only imagine how hard this chapter was for her to write. Homeschooling is a huge responsibility and there is this feeling that you are being evaluated by everyone around you. As a homeschooling mom, I work very hard to mask the days of frustration because I don’t want to look incompetent or overwhelmed. I don’t want to give a window for anyone to disagree with my choice or find fault in what I’ve chosen for my children. Vulnerability is very hard for moms who homeschool because criticism is everywhere. Tricia was brave enough to admit the overwhelming feeling that wash over a homeschooling mom at times. She confesses the tendency to try too hard and she shares how she began to learn and teach through life and by questioning and observing. She saw God’s faithfulness to be present in the good days and the bad and she grew closer to Him as a result.
Tricia talks about junk from her past and shares how God can work through the “crumbs in our play dough”.
From doubting herself to doubting God’s direction for her life, Tricia shares all of the twists and turns, pushes and pulls of her life. She learns trust, the value and treasure of God’s word, His faithfulness, and His better plan for her life. Readers will learn along with her while recognizing many of her feelings and fears as their own.
Just as she’s learning surrender to God’s molding touch on her life, she becomes aware of the stretching He is doing on her children. She shares the struggle to let God form not just herself, but her children too.
Blue Like Play Dough is brave, honest, candid, and spiritually uplifting. It’s encouragement and understanding from someone who has been there and done that.
You can read an excerpt of Blue Like Play Dough here.
Swing by Tricia’s Blog and watch the promo video she created with her kids. I love when her daughter says there is only one problem with the book — “the play dough is orange”. Too funny!
Go here to order Blue Like Play Dough.
, July 2009
No comments:
Post a Comment