“Nourished”: A Book for the Struggling Mom

I received this book to facilitate this review; all opinions are my own.

Struggle. It’s the perfect adjective to describe what this fall and winter have felt like to me. Times have been, true, but also very very hard and, for once, I was grateful the holidays went by with speed since my broken heart felt incapable of anything but rest.

This year, though, I subconsciously DID make a resolution – and that is to nurture myself. I’ve done it in little ways here and there, but when the opportunity to review, “Nourished: A Search for Health, Happiness and A Full Night’s Sleep,” by Becky Johnson and Rachel Randolph came my way, I couldn’t pass it up. Oddly, when I requested the book, I had no clear picture of the quagmire I was in but I’m glad I got it. “Nourished” is written by a mother daughter. Becky, the mom, takes us through her life and perspective as the mom of grown children, while her daughter Rachel, tracks us through the in’s and out’s of raising a toddler while having a career.

Now, I would love to tell you that the book is perfect, and it’s not. (Please note, I have an advanced reading copy; this is not the final book-shelf version, although it’s close.) I struggled to read some of it. Maybe I was too familiar and passed through too many of Rachel’s stories, while not really being “up” to Becky’s yet. I also thought there was a little disconnect on some chapters and sometimes Becky’s humor felt a little forced.

Still, throughout as they share their stories, there are wonderful suggestions on how to make it through and take care of yourself and your family. Becky and Rachel break down the top 10 stressors and write chapters on how to deal with each of these issues. The ladies tackle:

• How to be comfortable in your own skin. Boy, did I relate to Becky, who couldn’t find a SINGLE photo she liked of herself. (You indeed may have noticed my OWN lack of selfies on social media. BLECH!)
• How to get your child to eat and how to eat joyfully. (I’m ok on that one!)
• Tips for increasing romance in your marriage.
• How to make friends – including what to do and not to do!

I was going along just fine, thinking this was a light book that was fine to read but not deep enough…until the end.

This book is worth every penny for the END. Part 5: Nourished Spirits shares really helpful and Biblical tips on how to mend pain, go through trauma and discover the God who really really REALLY simply adores you. On one of the last few pages of the book, Becky writes:

“One translation of the most famous of Hebrew blessings says, ‘May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you.'” (Numbers 6:25, TLB)

Wow. This really struck me! When the kids were little, I would make up little myths about them being held by God before they were born, and that when God would call their little souls, and they responded with joy, I would tell them that God’s face lit up the whole world. Easy to believe for your sweet young kids, but Becky reminds us here that GOD sees believers like that all the time! And she really hits the nail on the head when it comes to dealing a crushing or traumatic event.

“Nourishing” is a great book for struggling moms, with lots of tips for taking care of mom, getting it done and being your best – for you and for God. You can visit Rachel at The Nourished Mama and and Becky at Laugh Cry Cook. “Nourished” is available from Zondervan for $15.99.