I read a ton of books for my kids, but I am pretty selective about what I read for myself. I have wasted plenty of time reading books that the world deems worthy of obsessing over, and I gave those up long ago...out of frustration and lack of time.
Since that time, I've noticed an interesting thing occurring: The truly remarkable, life-changing, and best books for me...have found a way to find Me...not the other way around.
Last year, it was "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom. This year, it is "The Gift of Giving Life," by Heather Farrell, et al.
It arrived in the mail yesterday, and my first thought was, hmmm, looks thick...but it was quiet in the house so I flipped open to an essay about midway through the book.
I was blown away by what I read. Here is an excerpt:
"...The Buddhists say that pain is inevitable, but suffering is a painful feeling about pain. Pain is simply a sensation, but suffering comes from thinking that what is shouldn't be. I saw that no matter what happened to me in this life, I could trust that God had me in mind and that life happens for me, not to me. It's all for my good."
"I envisioned myself looking at the possibilities for my earth life, accepting all the risks, and saying, "I am willing, send me. I am willing to be the one who is betrayed. I am willing to be physically uncomfortable. I am willing to lose a child. I am willing to be...lost, confused, hurt, offended, upset, in pain, maimed. I am willing, send me. I want to feel what it is to be alive, to love, to forgive. I am willing to face pain so that I might know true joy."
"...I had always said, '"I want to be like Jesus,'"...Was I truly willing?...He was willing."
Can I also say, "Here am I, send me?
That is just one incredible and courageous observation taken from one of the dozens of essays that you will find in this beautiful book. (This one was called "Goddess in Embryo" by Rebecca Overson, p. 252.)
I'll admit that when I heard about this book on my friend Heather's blog, I wondered if it was going to be very granola...and TMI. I wondered if it was going to push certain ways to be a Mother. I wasn't sure I'd fit into their recommended "way".
But from the taste that I received yesterday, I realized that this is going to be the adventure of a lifetime (times 22 women's lifetimes)...as that is what giving the gift of life to another person is: the adventure of a lifetime.
Although I've only just begun the journey through this book, I am able to say with confidence that this book is one of those life-changing books that "found me."
This is my book of the year! It is more than a book on Motherhood or giving birth. It is a book about placing your hand squarely in the Lord's and saying, "Here am I, send me!"
You can read more about this book at http://thegiftofgivinglife.com/
Wow, sounds fabulous. Definitely want to read it and can think of some friends who would too. Have you read this essay? http://mormonscholarstestify.org/1718/valerie-hudson-cassler It is along a similar vein and pretty awesome.
ReplyDeleteI will have to read that thanks!!!
DeleteI'm not giving Birth anytime soon. :-) But I am about to experience another Chemo session on monday and these words hit home. The part about experiencing pain etc especially this part " I could trust that God had me in mind and that life happens for me, not to me. It's all for my good."thanks again Jocelyn for always posting what I need to hear on a day when I need to hear it. You are one amazing Mom, Friend and Daughter of God and so in tune with what God wants you to do or say.
ReplyDeleteLove you Marie...are you back from the UK now?
Deletesounds good...I find I have little time for reading as I write all the time. But at least I'm thinking...
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds amazing. I am not sure I will be giving birth anytime soon, but it looks amazing enough to just pick up.
ReplyDeleteYou absolutely need it! Pregnant or not!!!
DeleteI love what you said at the end.
ReplyDeleteIt is a book about placing your hand squarely in the Lord's and saying, "Here am I, send me!"
I am one of the authors of the book and that captures exactly what I want everyone to know. It isn't just for childbearing women. It is for everyone!
Your post made me cry. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Sheridan...I agree. I can't wait to read more!!! Thank you for writing this wonderful book!
DeleteRebecca Overson's story was life-changing for me too. I have read it dozens of times now, but words and phrases from that story come back to me often. I'm so glad you are loving our book so far.
ReplyDeleteIts nuts that I opened right up to that essay...profound! I'm excited to read all of them!! Thank you for writing this!
DeleteSounds great! I wish it was around when I started this journey of becoming a mother. I think I wasted a lot of time in my life trying to avoid pain instead of embracing life for every emotion.
ReplyDeleteLovely post on this book; and I will want to read this one. Have a wonderful Mother's day and spend sometime reading your new book.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely sounds like a good one!
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Thanks for sharing. That was so moving! I too have come to realize it is better to read uplifting books. I just read again Sheri Dew's book "No One Can Take Your Place". I recently read on another blog I think I found through you Mothers Who Know about pornography from a different perspective like reading books and the affect they have on this. It made me think of Twilight and I realized it was so true. I need to be more careful about what I read. Thanks again Jocelyn!
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