Here are some of my biggest takeaways from Mom Up: She shares the four themes that impact the way she follows God and parents her children: intentional motherhood, genuine community, refreshing rest, and embracing chaos.

To “thrive and walk confidently in who God calls us to be as mothers” (p. Kara challenges readers to “mom up” (a play on the saying “man up”). So, I thought I’d share some about the book and my biggest takeaways. I’m confident there’s someone who follows my work who’s also utterly overwhelmed by motherhood, and MAYBE this book would change her journey like it has mine. My relationship with God is changing, which is changing how I related to my child. My perspectives and purpose are shifting. It’s still horribly hard, but I’m grounded in a different way. Is motherhood for me sunshine and butterflies now? Ha, no. This book has been so inspiring, and as I practice what I’ve learned, slowly life-changing too. After reading the back cover and some of the Thrive Moms website, I couldn’t get my hands on it fast enough (Prime to the rescue!). Then one day, I saw a friends Instagram Story which had a picture of the “Mom Up” book by Kara-Kae James, Founder of Thrive Moms. In my state of motherhood, I just haven’t been able to entirely figure out what that looks like and how to get there… I just want to do my “job” in a God-honoring way, not just survive! Motherhood’s spiritual work, so I want to do it right! I want to thrive and learn how to live the abundant life God’s provided for me and my family RIGHT NOW. Survive until you’ve breastfed/pumped for “x” amount of time. Survive until the next developmental milestone. Survive until he’s sleeping through the night.

You know what I’m talking about-Survive until bedtime. I get that God didn’t design motherhood to be about surviving, but like most moms, I feel like every day’s battle of the fittest.

Rest by Kara-Kae James