This Life That Is Ours: Motherhood as Spiritual Practice

by Lauren Burdette

This Life That Is Ours offers 40 gentle meditations with guidance for reflection on the spiritual journey of motherhood. These practical, soul-affirming meditations nurture a mother's heart and spiritual life in a season fraught with overwhelm, exhaustion, and loss of identity. Through the lens of Burdette's real-life stories, the reader is invited to ponder her experience and to contemplate where God might be present. This book can be used in communities of mom groups, intergenerational groups of women, or spouse groups and makes a great gift for new moms and mothers-to-be.

Genres: Parenting

112 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2019

About the author

Lauren Burdette is a writer, spiritual director, and host of the podcast Life As Spiritual Practice. Through all of her work, she creates space for sacred stories: our unique tales of interaction with God. Her first book, This Life That Is Ours: Motherhood as Spiritual Practice, explores the ways mothers can meet the holy in the midst of parenting.

She lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her partner and three young children. Lauren is a voracious reader, and is always looking for recommendations for fiction, memoir and spirituality - let her know what you'd recommend!

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written book about the journey of motherhood. It is such an honest and genuine book that speaks to all mothers regardless of age or journey in life. Highly recommend it!

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Life That is Ours gave words and validation to feelings I have experienced that I’ve never been able to describe before. It pays tribute to the beauty and holiness that lies within the imbalance of motherhood- how you can be both depleted and overflowing. This was so easy to read but had me wanting to stop to talk to others or journal about my experiences. To go back and heal old wounds and continue to find the ‘shimmering moments’ within every day life. The reflections allow you to explore where your heart leads you. I am looking forward to giving this book as a gift to special moms in my life!

[Lori Jorgensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can you look at dishes in the sink and socks on the floor as giving glory to your God?? If you can’t and your ready to tear your hair out take a breather, count to ten and grab this book. Read it! Read it again. Lauren gives fodder for thought and makes take a good hard look at motherhood and God. It’s a full time ministry that we should be praising.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for directees who are new mothers/on the motherhood journey.

[Cara Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

She gets right into it! The spirituality of motherhood: what a gorgeous, plumb-the-depths book.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember now why I hadn't reviewed This Life That Is Ours when I first read it:
1. I was overwhelmed by new motherhood and most of what I was reading/watching/listening to washed over my sleep deprived brain fog.

But perhaps even more because,
2. It is almost impossible for me to parce Lauren Burdette - author and Lauren Burdette - sister in law. Specifically, the role each has played in supporting and encouraging me as I stepped into this motherhood.

After revisiting her writing this year, I realized that they are not so different. I found the same thoughtful encouragement and wisdom, that I have valued in person for years, in each of these reflections. Reading them again, with much more of my mental facilities returned to me, I was moved by the gentleness we are encouraged to have with ourselves and by the honesty from which she shares.

I picked up This Life That Is Ours again this Lent as a reminder to myself that Motherhood, is in fact spiritual work - both for my children and for myself. Over the last few weeks, I have found myself returning to an image Lauren shares - of the ceiling getting lower and the oxygen leaving the room as the day reaches it's most challenging point. Refocusing on motherhood as a spiritual practice, not "just the job I am trying my best to do 'alright' at right now" was like opening a window in that shrinking room. Fresh air started to flow in as I refocused.


Truth be told, I still find writing this review a bit of a challenge because I continue to have the secret benefit of knowing Lauren. And while I truly don't think anyone needs that to be met by her writing, I am personally very grateful for the bonus content ❤️

[Amanda Osenga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most beautiful motherhood book I have seen. I absolutely loved the reflection questions and focus on mindfulness. In an era of Pinterest & Instagram "perfect" parents, this books helps you slow down. I was challenged to think through every aspect of my mothering journey so far and to think through how God has influenced, healed, and taught me along the way. This would be a fantastic gift for a mom in your life- no matter her age or stage of motherhood. I also loved the small size- it's easy to throw into the purse or diaper bag and read whenever you have time. You won't be disappointed with this one :)

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Burdette's petite book of reflections is a delight. It has encouraged me to consider my journey of motherhood and God's grace therein. The timing has been perfect for such reflections; I read it mostly during quiet moments stolen while nursing my thirdborn. Some favorite reflections focused on who you are today and who you are becoming. It is beautifully calming and affirming to consider these simple questions. Burdette beautifully captures the essence of motherhood in all its joys and challenges, and she does so in a way which connects me more fully to myself, my children, and God. These guided moments of reflection are a treasure to me. I love this book!!!

[Tamlein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Burdette offers mothers tangible, real-life ideas for viewing motherhood as a path for, rather than a hindrance to, spiritual formation. I enjoyed her premise that growth isn't about escaping your mundane circumstances to find the holy moments, it's about noticing the holy moments in the mundane. Chapters are short enough to read in stolen moments during the day, but include questions for reflections to think on throughout the day! (I received an advance copy of this book, but the opinions here are my own and honest.)

[Diane Werley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent today reading Lauren’s beautiful book. It took me back to when my children were little and allowed me to experience the joys or Motherhood through my memories-what a lovely gift. I highly recommend this book. Lauren has a way of experiencing God moments with her children and the voice to share them in a way that invites the reader to reflect and find the holy in their own life.

[Trishwah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a sort of devotional and it was a great option for our church parenting group. Some of the chapters hit home, others didn't resonate as much. I think I would have preferred a more gender neutral approach, but then I know I don't have a stereotypically parenting relationship and sometimes that means that mom-centered stuff doesn't resonate with me.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burdette simultaneously calls forth the beauty, the challenges, and the heartache of motherhood in a voice that is somehow both intimate and universal. A must-read for any mother.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book for mom friends. Couldn’t help but read through it myself and be inspired to look for the Divine in my ordinary, everyday life too. Lauren is a humble writer with a big gift for us.

[Shannon Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Life That is Ours is a book that you will quickly read through, think about it for a few days, and then start it all over, this time much slower and with more contemplation. Lauren Burdette took poetic words and spoke exactly what my heart feels, how my children and I move as one organism that can be depleting and exhausting, but at the same time overflowing.

[Renee Prymus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Life that is Ours is a beautiful, simple invitation into a new framework for thinking about motherhood. Lauren’s writing is clean and conversational, sharing just enough of her own stories about the early years of motherhood to help you reframe your own understanding. Other than the intro and conclusion, each chapter is short enough to read in the bathroom (assuming you’re in there without a tiny shadow?)—a quick invite to pause and reframe your headspace.

While Lauren’s stories focus on the first 5-8 years of her own mothering, the overarching themes are applicable for a mom of any stage to reflect on: what it was like to become a mother, become yourself (again!), and become holy. Lauren and I reflected on these themes with mothers of many stages in a course on the contemplative practice of motherhood—and mothers of every stage (even grandmothering!) were able to connect with her text. That said, the primary audience of this book does seem to be mothers with children living with them.

Personally, I loved this book and the framework it set up. As I considered mothering as a contemplative practice, I thought about the ways in which I could turn ordinary chores into meditation—my favorite brainstorm was one day while I was tidying the living room after my kids went to bed: I found myself thanking each silly little plastic toy for its role in bringing my child joy that day.

[Lou Cupp horstman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these variously gentle, challenging and thought provoking meditations, all written with honesty and grace. This book stirred memories of motherhood, and invited me to reflect also on my experiences as a grandmother. Life is so enriched when seen through this spiritual lens.