Small Talk is one of those books about life that any Christian mom will immediately recognize. Amy Julia Becker is a real mom, raising three real children, and learning real lessons.
I loved this quote, near the beginning:
For a long time, I thought my children were a distraction from the work God was doing in my life and in the world around me. I am starting to realize they are the work God is doing in my life. They are the invitation to give, to receive, to be humbled, to grow. They are the vehicles of grace.
Small Talk is like a friendly discussion between friends, or a long letter from a far away mom living a similar life. There are more formal discussion questions at the end of the book (and chapter questions are available on her website), but any group of moms will probably enjoy reading and discussing this book without many formal question prompts needed.
If I were reviewing this as a theology book, I'd probably give it a lower rating. I disagree with the author on several significant points. But this isn't really a theology textbook. This is more of a memoir of a mom doing her best, failing, trying again, and loving her family, even without all the answers. Really, that's where we all live, isn't it?
One thing I particularly enjoyed in this book were the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. These never failed to inspire, almost as much as the conversations with her children that Becker shares.
Read this one when you need encouraged, when you wonder what, exactly, you are doing spending all this time raising these children God has given you.
Small Talk: Learning From My Children About What Matters Most
Parenting Resources:
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review program. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Linking up with:
Oh, to remember that God sanctifies through means and those are the things (like children and husbands) that he puts in our lives. Ouch. and I need to be more intentional about paying attention here. Thanks!