I’ve never been one to laugh easily. Jokes slip off me like jello on a greased dinner plate, but sometimes, just sometimes one hits me smack-dab in my funny-spot. When that happens, watch out. I don’t just giggle, I guffaw, snort, wheeze, and at times collapse to the floor. I don’t technically roll-on-the-floor-laughing-out-loud, I adopt more of a hunched-over-slapping-the-floor-and-howling technique. Author Debora M. Coty’s devotional for frazzled moms – Mom Needs Chocolate -- didn’t quite take me to the position of prostrate hilarity within it’s first few chapters, but it did come very close.
Having been through the trenches of motherhood and come out the other side with two grown children, Coty digs deep and pulls from her personal experiences, shortcomings, and growth. The result is a compilation of frank, and almost embarrassing episodes that illustrate the realities of mothering while pinpointing the areas many of us need work on. The 60 short, devotional chapters are designed to bring joy and spiritual insight into the lives of frazzled moms.
Each of the chapters is short enough to read during the valued reading time each mother cherishes - the five-minute bathroom break. Most entries come in between three and four pages in length including three “Faith in Action” questions for you to ponder throughout the day, or complete formally in a journal if you are able to eke out some personal time for study. The light-hearted tone of frank sharing would also lend itself well to gatherings of friends for a fun study.
As brief as each of the stand-alone devotional segments are, Coty has a knack for hitting moms in the areas where they are likely in most need of refinement. After softening unsuspecting mothers up with her funny stories, she delivers a swift one-two punch in the questions section, delivering a healthy dose of conviction. Of course, knowing that Coty herself has struggled in these areas – road rage, misplaced priorities, nutrition, and so on – helps to soften the blow so that it never comes across as high-handed.
Article comments
1 - Roderick
WARNING TO CHRISTIANS:
Although this woman is NOT, her husband is a hyperpreterist. A hyperpreterist claims 3 main things:
1. Jesus came back once & for all in AD70
2. The resurrection of the believers happened in AD70
3. The judgment of the wicked & righteous happened in AD70
This is relevant because this woman is appealing to Christians & her husbands views may influence her.