Spirit-Led Parenting: Review and Giveaway

It seems like just yesterday I sat on the same couch I'm sitting on right now, and desperately googled and read every parenting book I could get my hands on, trying to figure out the secret to getting Jayci to sleep. I was convinced everyone else knew the answer, and determined to find them for myself. My google-searching providentially landed me at SortaCrunchy (the blog of Megan Tietz). If I'm honest, I had zero idea what "crunchy" meant, aside from possibly talking about some good potato chips or something, but that didn't stop me from leaving a comment on one of her posts on infant sleep. Megan must have sensed the desperation and exhaustion lacing my words, and she quickly emailed me a response. Her words spoke freedom and grace, laced with a gentle directing towards the Lord. I devoured her advice, relieved to hear I wasn't alone, that I didn't HAVE to do things "by the book." And I've been reading Megan's blog and learning from her grace-filled wisdom ever since.

When I found out Megan (along with Laura Oyer of In the Backyard) was writing a book, I cheered inwardly at the thought of how many woman need to hear the life-giving truths that Megan shares. That you will sleep one day. That all moms question themselves and that there is simply no special sleep formula which works for every baby. That there's definitely no secret mom-club of moms who know all the right answers.

I was ~~possibly over-eager~~ perfectly delighted when Megan asked me to be a part of the blog tour for her new book, Spirit-led Parenting. I received the book in the mail last week and devoured it quickly. It's interesting to read their words sitting where I am today. Because I am definitely wiser than I was. And I even know what "crunchy" means now (well I think I do, mostly). But I'm still sitting on this same green couch with a baby in the other room who simply will-not-sleep. So as much as I'd like to say I'm reading this book from a wiser-and-more-experienced-momma place, I'm still very much IN THE TRENCHES of mothering young children. And I still very much needed to hear the message of grace and freedom that Megan and Laura offer in their book.

Because the truth is that fear can be a constant companion for me, especially as a mother. And not just fear of the big stuff, like Caden's heart or Jayci's safety or the kiddos in the neighborhood carrying guns. No, it's the "little" fears that tend to be more pervasive. Comparing myself with other people, particularly other moms, and feeling fear fill me that I just can't add up. Worry that I am not doing this whole "motherhood" thing right, and possibly that I am screwing my children up forever. Fear of what others will think of the way I'm parenting. Fears that Caden will literally NEVER let me sleep through the night. Fears that I am just not enough.

And unfortunately, as a Christ-follower, my fear in parenting seems heightened and not diminished by the Christian community. On top the certainty that I'm not doing things the "right" way, I can quickly feel crushed by the weight of expectations from those who claim to have God's inside scoop for raising children properly. I find myself wandering down the path of self-loathing, convinced of my inadequacy. I'm too unorganized and not nearly disciplined enough to stick to a schedule, and not nearly loving or "crunchy" enough to co-sleep and babywear. Voices on both sides speak loudly and vehemently, and like a dangerous game of Red-Rover, I find myself running back and forth until I can barely breath and my legs are almost as exhausted as my heart.

But Spirit-led Parenting speaks differently. Somehow, amid the cacophony, Laura and Megan have managed to listen to, and share, the still small voice. The gentle whisper that speaks in the wind rather than the storm.

Somehow, mothering by the leading of the Holy Spirit was a revelation for me. Even now, after sitting in total surrender at Caden's bedside, recognizing 100% completely that we are not in control and that our son belongs to the Lord. Somehow, despite all of that, I still shut out His voice in favor of other louder and more insistent voices once things seem "normal." When I'm worrying about Caden sleeping through the night rather than Caden LIVING through the night, I forget to ask for God's hand and guidance. But the truth is that He is just as interested in my obedience NOW as He was then. And this fear-free-complete-surrender parenting? Is exactly what Laura and Megan explore and point towards in Spirit-Led Parenting.

Practical wisdom about sex, marriage, sleeping, catching up on your DVR, and keeping your sanity even in the midst of severe sleep deprivation are woven seamlessly with God's Word and truths about how motherhood can (and should) draw us ever-closer to the heart of a Father-God. Somehow we have lost sight of the fact that God has created each and every one of us uniquely. And likewise He leads each and every one of us differently to raise and nurture our uniquely-crafted babies. Their creator knows them intimately and He doesn't make mistakes, and seeking wisdom at His feet means that each mother will walk a unique path.

Spirit-Led Parenting may, in fact, be the only book I will ever recommend to new moms again. Because what all of us moms need is simply to be pointed in the direction of Jesus. To rely ONLY on Him for our strength. To listen to His voice quietly telling us "this is the way, walk in it." And then to actually walk where He directs. To put one oh-so-tired foot in front of the other and walk towards Christ, serving our children with a sacrificial and grace-filled love that will point them straight to our Savior.

I am grateful to Laura and Megan for sharing this message of grace, and even more grateful to them for allowing me to learn from their wisdom and share in their journey. I'm also grateful because I have a copy to give away to one of y'all! You guys are the absolutely best, most beautiful readers and friends ever. And I want each and every one of you to have the chance to learn freedom from fear as parents RIGHT NOW. So leave a comment telling me something you've learned as a mother (or hope to learn), and next week when I get back from New York I'll pick a winner.

Join in on the rest of the blog tour too if you have a chance: