Book Review: Mother’s Faith by Mrs. Sharon White

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Mother's Faith, Essays, Lamentations, and Encouragement From a Christian Mother of Waywards by Mrs. Sharon White
ISBN: 978-0615792217
Paperback, 102 pages
Publisher: The Legacy of Home Press
Retail: $6.99

From the back cover (amazon.com):
  A collection of essays from a homeschooling mother of five, who has suffered through heartbreak and worry over her teenagers and young adults.
  Here you will find encouragement, hope, and support in your efforts at raising a godly generation in this difficult world.
  From “Sitting Alone at the Kitchen Table,” to “How a Godly Mother May Guide an Imperfect Family” in 13 steps, you will read about real life and the source of real happiness while waiting for your children to grow in the Lord.
  This small book will inspire courage for the weary mother.
  Forget about harsh ideas when dealing with teenagers. We need mothers who will guide their children with holy love and patience.

My thoughts:

When Mrs. Sharon White asked if I would like to review her book, I quickly said yes, even though I really didn’t know much about the book. I’ve been a follower of Mrs. White’s A Legacy of Home for years and have always appreciated her writing, but most of all her attitude and heart towards God and her family.

This book was not what I was expecting. Let me explain. Many books today detail the ‘waywardness’ of teens and young adults and then give advice and how-tos to ‘fix’ the child. Mrs. White’s book isn’t that at all. She lets us into her world, just a little, and her heart, to let mothers know that they are not alone in their struggles. We don’t need to know what the waywardness is, nor does she attempt to fix the hearts and attitudes of her children. Instead she focuses on her heart and her attitude in these situations.

The book starts, in my opinion, with despair. It made me feel after reading the first few paragraphs that there was just too much for this mother to bear. By the end of the chapter, however, Mrs. White has wonderfully pointed to what, or rather Who, can help- God. Going through each subsequent chapter, I felt a lighter heart and hope. I especially enjoyed the chapter titled “How a Godly Mother May Guide an Imperfect Family”. I will quote a bit from that chapter here:

“We, as mothers, will have children of all ages, at all stages of their religious journey. Some have been saved, some are struggling in sin, some are confused, and some are under the chastening hand of God. We need to be there, praying, smiling, encouraging and seeing them through these rough years…All that matters, at the end of it all, is not the fun we had, or the worldly things we indulged in, or the money we earned. What matters is walking through the pearly gates, with the souls of our beloved children following us into heaven. (pg 75)”

Mothers are extremely influential in the lives of their children, grandchildren and beyond. In the long run, mothers are influential to society. The way we deal with our children will help shape the way they deal with others. Mrs. White shows us, through her words that indeed it isn’t harshness that is necessary to win back the children but love and patience.

It isn’t always easy to be a mother, especially when our children do not behave as they know is right, but we cannot leave them alone in this. We must be a rock for them to cling to. And all the while, we must cling to God, because we cannot do it alone. I would recommend this to mothers who are struggling with their children now- but not for how to ‘fix’ the child, rather to gather comfort and encouragement.

Thank you, Mrs. Sharon White, for offering this book to me for a review.