Jean FlemingA Mother's Heart: A Look at Values, Vision, and Character for the Christian Mother (Pilgrimage Growth Guide)

As a new mom, I would highly recommend this book for other soon-to-be or new moms. It would work great as a shower gift to a new mommy who has aspired to stay at home with her baby when he or she arrives. It's also an excellent resource for moms who have had children for a while but are wanting to reinvision what it is that God has called them to as mothers.After having my baby and making the career shift to stay-at-home mom, I was struggling to make the transition from my busy work schedule to the slower pace of stay at home mom. This book provided me with a lot of encouragement by illustrating the critical role that mother's play in their childrens' lives as spiritual mentors. Fleming says that as a mom "I am a woman of influence. I impart values, stimulate creativity, develop compassion, modify weaknesses, and nurture strengths. I can open up life to another individual." The first chapter, "A Call to Mothers" starts off with a bang, explaining how critical moms are to their childrens' lives. This chapter really sets the stage for the following chapters that illustrate how mothers can influence their children through teaching Biblical values and praying pointedly for their children. I would love to use this book as a study with a group of new Christian moms.Fleming does an awesome job presenting the seriousness of our roles as moms, but her seriousness may be a bit of a detriment to the book. As an exhausted mommy, I like a little humor in my reading right now to entertain my tired brain, and I think a lot of new moms feel that way, which is the only reason I give this four stars. While it's not difficult "academic" type reading, I wouldn't say this is "light" reading either. It's a great book to take a chapter at a time, think about, discuss with friends and come back to as you slowly move through the book. The questions at the end of each chapter really facilitate good discussion for a group. I think you won't regret the time that you invest in reading this. It's definitely helped me lay a foundation for my new role in mommyhood!

If you are struggling with staying at home with your children because the task seems too small of a job for your level of intelligence or you don't see the value of your job as a mother, I recommend this book.Even though this book was originally written in the seventies it speaks truth that hasn't changed: raising children involves more than feeding, changing diapers and providing shelter. In the words of the author, "If you are a mother, you have a calling from God. God entrusts into your care a life, a future, a piece of what the world will become. You become part of the solution or part of the problem that faces us today."Some of the chapters include" A Call to Motherhood" where the author discusses being an all there mother. "A Vision for the Task" reminds us that we are investing in eternity when we devote time to our children as they are our mission field. Another chapter titled "What Values are Really Important" asks the question "Are we achieving goals and receiving accolades only to later regret that we chose to be successful in the wrong areas?"The author challenges the reader in ways that can alter the path of life for you and your children. This is a book that I will read again and again and recommend to other moms.

How will young mothers in today’s society ever gain the appreciation of the role of a true mother?! This book helps one truly grasp the value of God’s design for a mother even in all the mundane tasks she has to carry out. A must read for the young mother who feels devalued in today’s world.

I never write reviews (my husband does, but this is a first for me), but feel this book is worth one. This is hands down my favorite book i have read as a mom. I started reading it at a time I felt discouraged - coming out of a hard pregnancy with a newborn and strong willed 18 month old. I finished the book feeling encouraged and inspired at the gift of being a mom. It helped alter my perspective and reminded me why I believe this is the most important job I'll have in life. If you are feeling tired and discouraged as a mom, you might find new motivation and hope with this book. It's worth the read as it gives an eternal perspective of what can feel mundane in motherhood.

This was written in the 80's yet mothers struggle with the same tensions now that they did then. Motherhood is hard and being in an age where we can always find an "out" of something we don't like, we need to be reminded why we do this and why we should press into the challenge rather than find ways or moments out of it. She offers reflections at the end of the book that are deep and take time to move through. I am one that has to read the entire book then go back and re-read and then do reflections more seriously. Its short but packed with thoughtful insight.

I'm so glad to have read this book. It has encouraged me to be intentional with the time I have with my girls, to truly know what their strengths and weaknesses are. As a mother, sometimes our role feels like a caretaker; however, it is so much more. We have more influence on our little ones than we know and we must rely on Him to help us parent them well. I love how the author is so intentional about how she spends her time. If we are not intentional, then we get lost in the culture. I'm so thankful to have found this book while my girls are still toddlers so I can make some important changes that will influence our family life from hereon.

I appreciate the way that the author challenges me to view being a mom as such a high calling. I believe similarly, and would endorse everything the author says, now that I have six kids and see how neat it really is to be a MOM! Her views are based on the Bible, and it helps me to know that another mom has walked down this road before me, and can say in hindsight that God's ways are the best ways.If you can read only one book in your quest for improving yourself as a mom, I would highly recommend this as THE ONE! I had to reorder recently, as I kept loaning mine out to others and lost track of it -- buy a copy for a friend, or better yet, as a book-club-book. It will inspire some lively discussion and food-for-thought!

This book is good: Jean doesn't mince her words, and it speaks boldly and prophetically into our culture. It is also practical - giving some tips on how to pray for your children, and think specifically about how to nurture their strengths. At times, it can be a little dry and formulaic, but the questions at the end of each chapter are helpful for thinking the content through a little more creatively. Don't read this book if you mind being challenged, but if you don't, it will help you grow into a better mum, I'm sure of it!