The Passionate Mom by Susan Merrill

The Passionate Mom is the best book on motherhood that I've ever read...and I read a lot of books!  What makes this book unique and memorable is that Susan used the biblical story of Nehemiah to draw parallels between his task of rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem with our task of parenting.  She writes "Nehemiah loved his people, and he knew they needed a wall to protect them and provide them a future hope...Our children need walls.  That's why God gives them moms."  There is much wisdom to be gleaned from Nehemiah's experience.

Each chapter talks about a "brick" in the wall and the character qualities we need to develop to hold them in place.  The bricks are Perception, Pondering, Passion, Prayer, Patience, Preparation, Purpose, Planning, Problem Solving, and Perseverance.  Not only do our kids need protection, but they also need to be prepared to leave that wall of protection one day.  Therefore, the idea of "gates" is introduced along with many helpful ways we can let our children experience freedom at a safe pace.  Susan's website, www.imom.com, provides many helpful tools such as conversation starters and contracts for cell phone use and driving privileges.

This book is well-written and encouraging.  Susan is authentic and freely admits that she does not have motherhood mastered.  There are "confessions" throughout the book to show readers that she is on a journey too.  She is simply a mom who God spoke to through the book of Nehemiah and she is sharing her insights and experience.  I plan to re-visit this book from time to time as my children grow.  I think any mom with children still living at home would benefit greatly from this book and the resources on the website.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review.