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The Middle Matters: Why That (Extra)Ordinary Life Looks Really Good on You
The best-selling author of Never Unfriended opens up about midlife and what it feels like to have outgrown those teenage jeans, but finally grown into the shape of our souls.
Do you ever wonder how you woke up one day with all the responsibilities of a grown-up who secretly enjoys going to Costco, can no longer recognize the tween celebrities on the magazines at checkout, but is still surprised when a Starbucks Barista calls you "ma'am"--because your inside self is frozen in time from about twenty years ago?
So does Lisa-Jo Baker. Welcome to the middle!
In these intimate reflections on midlife, Lisa-Jo Baker invites women to get a good look at their middles and gives permission to embrace them--beyond what the media, the mirror, the magazines, or our teenagers say. Through gutsy, beautiful storytelling, she admits out loud what most women are thinking about marriage, parenting, failure, and how badly we all want to buy those matching Magnolia Market mugs. Her delicious stories come from not being afraid of who she is (Your Age is Not a Dirty Word). Because she has finally grown comfortable in her own skin (The Scale is Not the Boss of You). She's not asking you to seize the day, just to make sure you actually see it; for all its wildly ordinary glory (Sobbing in my Minivan Over Honor Roll). Because Lisa-Jo knows that the middle might be the best part of the love story of life, muffin top included.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 23, 2019
70 people are currently reading
715 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
June 11, 2019
Oh boy. I'm just going to say that unless you are a 40-something, happily married, mother of boys and girls, woman of faith and belief in God - don't read this book. That's terrible, I know, but this book was written towards such a specific audience that if one doesn't fall into those specific categories, there's really not enough substance to carry you through the whole book.
And I do mean that you have to be all of those things; because she links them all together so much, I don't think you can appreciate what she is saying from only one or two of those perspectives. As a single woman who loves Jesus, has nieces and nephews and is nearing the 40's ... I just could not relate to 95% of what she was writing, specifically because of the way she wrote and who she was writing to.
And I do mean that you have to be all of those things; because she links them all together so much, I don't think you can appreciate what she is saying from only one or two of those perspectives. As a single woman who loves Jesus, has nieces and nephews and is nearing the 40's ... I just could not relate to 95% of what she was writing, specifically because of the way she wrote and who she was writing to.
March 17, 2019
No one writes about motherhood, marriage, and life as a woman like Lisa-Jo Baker. Whether you are entering the middle, in it, or beyond it, you'll find not only yourself in this book but wisdom and encouragement. The Middle Matters is a vulnerable, compelling read that I want to gift to every friend I know.
March 27, 2019
I wanted to like this book. I really did. I follow Lisa-Jo Baker on social media. I get encouraged and feel uplifted with her posts... BUT... this book fell a bit flat for me. I have committed to read 100 books this year, which is the only reason why I finished this book. I was under the impression that this book included teaching on how to make the middle matter or how to make the best of these “muffin top” years, since the titles of each section say “Why the Middle of ______ Matters.” The book description also says the author addresses what most women are thinking in this stage of life. Maybe I had the wrong expectations, but I’d say that this is a memoir of sorts of how the author’s middle, or muffin top years matter to her. I’m not sure if most women are thinking the same thing she is. I know I’m not. Her anecdotes makes me think that if someone has a life similar to hers, then THAT woman can nod in agreement and learn to love what is in front of them. Otherwise, this book will drag on for the reader. P
I obtained a copy of this book from the public’s her thorough NetGalley.
I obtained a copy of this book from the public’s her thorough NetGalley.
January 16, 2021
In delightfully well-crafted and organized essays, Lisa-Jo puts her arms through the pages of her book to give her readers a hearty hug as they navigate the many roles women wear today: mom, wife, friend, daughter, citizen of the world. My favorite thing about Lisa-Jo is that she has lived many of the worse-than-mundane difficult life circumstances that face ordinary folks: debt and the accompanying shame, big moves, difficult kids, grief, and she allows those things to be what connects her to her audience. Reading The Middle Matters, I felt like I was sitting on the couch of a mom just a season ahead of me, receiving judgment-free advice and encouragement. It's impossible not to connect with her.
Lisa-Jo encourages us to embrace the ordinary moments of our day-to-day, recognizing the good ones as miracles and the hard ones as meaningful. The personal stories she shares, although specific to her, transcend the ordinary experiences we all face in our chauffeuring, our fights with our spouse, our small groups, our difficult relationships.
I recommend this book to any mom heading into the middle years, in the thick of them, or just past them. Lisa-Jo's essays will change your perspective and help you be grateful for more than you can imagine. I especially appreciated her lessons on handling mom guilt and keeping a humble attitude in the face of fame. I'm inspired by her willingness to fail in order to grow and connect with others.
If I have to be critical of anything, it's that this is a book for the privileged, for people who get to choose to make a comfortable life. I could never give this book to my neighbor whose husband is incarcerated, to my Muslim refugee friend, or to anyone in the midst of terribly painful circumstances. While every word is true, every word is not for every person, or even every believer. We must learn to be grateful for the ordinary moments, but believers shouldn't be afraid of extraordinary just because it might also mean "uncomfortable." Lisa-Jo doesn't necessarily confuse ordinary for comfortable, but I think a reader hoping to avoid suffering and maintain a comfortable American life might use it as an excuse.
Lisa-Jo encourages us to embrace the ordinary moments of our day-to-day, recognizing the good ones as miracles and the hard ones as meaningful. The personal stories she shares, although specific to her, transcend the ordinary experiences we all face in our chauffeuring, our fights with our spouse, our small groups, our difficult relationships.
I recommend this book to any mom heading into the middle years, in the thick of them, or just past them. Lisa-Jo's essays will change your perspective and help you be grateful for more than you can imagine. I especially appreciated her lessons on handling mom guilt and keeping a humble attitude in the face of fame. I'm inspired by her willingness to fail in order to grow and connect with others.
If I have to be critical of anything, it's that this is a book for the privileged, for people who get to choose to make a comfortable life. I could never give this book to my neighbor whose husband is incarcerated, to my Muslim refugee friend, or to anyone in the midst of terribly painful circumstances. While every word is true, every word is not for every person, or even every believer. We must learn to be grateful for the ordinary moments, but believers shouldn't be afraid of extraordinary just because it might also mean "uncomfortable." Lisa-Jo doesn't necessarily confuse ordinary for comfortable, but I think a reader hoping to avoid suffering and maintain a comfortable American life might use it as an excuse.
June 4, 2019
I LOVE this book. I’m so in the middle. In the middle of high school with one son and college with the other. I’m trying to see what comes next. Lisa-Jo Baker stopped me in my tracks and said The Middle Matters and it’s okay to be there. I needed to hear this. I needed to read this. There aren’t many books out that are addressing this time in a woman’s life. We’ve been with our husbands for awhile and our kids are not toddlers anymore. We’re facing sickness and death with our parents, maybe even some of our siblings. It helps to know I’m not alone out there and she gives us hope for the middle. Thank you Lisa-Jo Baker for this gem of a book! (I was given an advance copy from the publisher.) I’m ordering more for a few friends!!
May 16, 2019
"Let's relish the middle. Let's savor the middle. Let's embrace the middle in all its mundane glory. Because maybe the middle isn't so bad. Maybe we don't want to hide it, ignore it, or miss it. Sister, maybe the middle is the part where it starts to get good!"
If you are a woman living in "the middle" of your life, you will want to pick up this book! I am 32 years old, and I still felt that most of the book pertained to me. "The Middle Matters" is a collection of essays by Lisa-Jo Baker, about multiple topics that women deal with in their lives, such as age, weight, marriage, raising children, faith, and friendship. I enjoyed the author's conversational tone, and I will definitely be reading more of her books in the future. My favorite sections of the book were the parts on parenting. Even though her children are older than my daughter, I still found that it applied to me either now or in the future. I appreciated how transparent Lisa is, and she is very relatable.
"No matter how hard you fought or slammed that door or disagreed or stormed out or said things you wish you could take back. No matter if you threw his math book across the room or if she declared you the worst mom, like, ever. You're too late only once you give up going back for another do-over. You're too late only if you stop trying again. Too late isn't too late until you walk out and don't walk back in again."
I received an advanced copy of the book from Waterbrook and Multnomah in return for my honest review.
If you are a woman living in "the middle" of your life, you will want to pick up this book! I am 32 years old, and I still felt that most of the book pertained to me. "The Middle Matters" is a collection of essays by Lisa-Jo Baker, about multiple topics that women deal with in their lives, such as age, weight, marriage, raising children, faith, and friendship. I enjoyed the author's conversational tone, and I will definitely be reading more of her books in the future. My favorite sections of the book were the parts on parenting. Even though her children are older than my daughter, I still found that it applied to me either now or in the future. I appreciated how transparent Lisa is, and she is very relatable.
"No matter how hard you fought or slammed that door or disagreed or stormed out or said things you wish you could take back. No matter if you threw his math book across the room or if she declared you the worst mom, like, ever. You're too late only once you give up going back for another do-over. You're too late only if you stop trying again. Too late isn't too late until you walk out and don't walk back in again."
I received an advanced copy of the book from Waterbrook and Multnomah in return for my honest review.
June 3, 2019
I really enjoyed reading the book of short essays; the poetic style of story telling had me constantly reflecting on how I too can find value and importance in the daily life that so often goes unnoticed or is called "mediocre." And finding value in myself at this stage. I loved reading the chapters about her rental housing situations and hosting people in her home. I related a lot to those words. So much life happens in the middle years and I want to be able to enjoy it as much as I enjoyed my more adventurous 20s.
May 17, 2019
YES. YES. YES to this book. Yes to this insightful, spell-binding, truth-telling, toe-stepping, warm hug, and wet eyed book. Lisa Jo has offered up this incredible piece of her beautiful soul and it welcomes you to jump in and become friends and to realize the beauty in this stage in life. In the midst of all of our fears and hurts, each essay offers a blanket of truth, treasure, and grace so that you can go forward with confidence and joy.This is a book to highlight and to give as gifts to all of the beautiful women in your life. I would highly recommend this book.
I was given and ARC to read and review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I was given and ARC to read and review. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 18, 2019
While reading this book, I was reminded of these song lyrics "...why don't you just meet me in the middle? I'm losing my mind just a little..." I know the song isn't about midlife, but those particular lyrics definitely fit this stage.
Lisa-Jo Baker has written a meaningful and honest look at what it looks like to be in the middle of life--in the middle of "your muffin top", of marriage, of parenting, of your home, of your failures, of your kids' sports, of your friendships, and of your faith. Baker's vulnerability about her own life will help readers to come alongside rather than just read for entertainment. She gets it, so I felt less alone in my middle, and other reading this book can feel the same.
The parts that rang the most true for me were the ones about marriage, parenting, and failure. I actually liked the parts about failure the most, because it helped me to realize that no one, not even people we admire and think have it all together, is immune to failure. When I can see that no one's life is perfect, and those snapshot social media moments may have been immediately preceded by a rip roaring fight with their spouse, it makes me more willing to dig into and participate in my own life rather than giving up because I think I can never achieve the perfection of others.
There were a few sections that, at 50 with college aged kids, brought back memories but aren't exactly where I am in life. I am probably a bit older than the book's target audience, yet I still found a large amount of content to relate to, so the book was overall a great reading experience for me.
If you feel like you might be losing your mind (just a little, or more, I won't judge) in your middle, The Middle Matters is the ideal book for you. You'll probably shed a few tears along the way (I certainly did) but it will help you to know that you're not alone.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, thank you to Lisa-Jo Baker and Waterbrook Multnomah for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Lisa-Jo Baker has written a meaningful and honest look at what it looks like to be in the middle of life--in the middle of "your muffin top", of marriage, of parenting, of your home, of your failures, of your kids' sports, of your friendships, and of your faith. Baker's vulnerability about her own life will help readers to come alongside rather than just read for entertainment. She gets it, so I felt less alone in my middle, and other reading this book can feel the same.
The parts that rang the most true for me were the ones about marriage, parenting, and failure. I actually liked the parts about failure the most, because it helped me to realize that no one, not even people we admire and think have it all together, is immune to failure. When I can see that no one's life is perfect, and those snapshot social media moments may have been immediately preceded by a rip roaring fight with their spouse, it makes me more willing to dig into and participate in my own life rather than giving up because I think I can never achieve the perfection of others.
There were a few sections that, at 50 with college aged kids, brought back memories but aren't exactly where I am in life. I am probably a bit older than the book's target audience, yet I still found a large amount of content to relate to, so the book was overall a great reading experience for me.
If you feel like you might be losing your mind (just a little, or more, I won't judge) in your middle, The Middle Matters is the ideal book for you. You'll probably shed a few tears along the way (I certainly did) but it will help you to know that you're not alone.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, thank you to Lisa-Jo Baker and Waterbrook Multnomah for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
July 23, 2019
"The middle is the place where we might have outgrown the shape of our teenage jeans but have finally grown into the shape of our souls, "I think this quote from Lisa-Jo Baker's The Middle Matters sums up her book. Baker talks about how women's bodies and lives change as they get older and how we can embrace that change.
The Middle Matters is divided into eight sections: Why the Middle of Your Muffin Top Matters, Why the Middle of Your Marriage Matters, Why the Middle of Your Parenting Matters, Why the Middle of Your Living Room Matters, Why the Middle of Your Failures Matters, Why the Middle of All Those Sports Practices Matters, Why the Middle of Your Friendship Matters, and Why the Middle of Your Faith Matters. Each of these sections have a few essays related to the topic that are easy for many women to relate to.
Baker's stories and essays are down-to-earth in The Middle Matters. She seems to share from her heart and is "real" with her readers and I especially like that. I found many of these stories were ones that I could relate to and it was comforting to hear another mom feel similarly. However, since everyone's life is different, there were some essays that I couldn't relate to but were interesting to read. One chapter in the friendship chapter did feel like she was just honoring her many friends since she was writing a book. As a whole though, I enjoyed this book and found many stories that I could relate to. I think most married women or older moms would also agree.
I received The Middle Matters from the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions are my own.
The Middle Matters is divided into eight sections: Why the Middle of Your Muffin Top Matters, Why the Middle of Your Marriage Matters, Why the Middle of Your Parenting Matters, Why the Middle of Your Living Room Matters, Why the Middle of Your Failures Matters, Why the Middle of All Those Sports Practices Matters, Why the Middle of Your Friendship Matters, and Why the Middle of Your Faith Matters. Each of these sections have a few essays related to the topic that are easy for many women to relate to.
Baker's stories and essays are down-to-earth in The Middle Matters. She seems to share from her heart and is "real" with her readers and I especially like that. I found many of these stories were ones that I could relate to and it was comforting to hear another mom feel similarly. However, since everyone's life is different, there were some essays that I couldn't relate to but were interesting to read. One chapter in the friendship chapter did feel like she was just honoring her many friends since she was writing a book. As a whole though, I enjoyed this book and found many stories that I could relate to. I think most married women or older moms would also agree.
I received The Middle Matters from the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions are my own.
August 29, 2019
I love this authors’ writing style. She writes as if you are sitting with her side by side, chatting as close friends would pouring hearts out to each other, discussing things like being middle-aged, changing bodies, marriage, parenting, friendships, life, failures, faith etc.
What is the middle and why does it matter? The middle is that place you find yourself wanting to be on autopilot. Living “life” in the mundane, and in the middle of unexpected messes does matter. It’s hard, we struggle with our physical body and spiritual matter of things as we are working, raising a family and finding time for yourself, your spouse and God. None of us get it perfect in this life’s journey. She’s vulnerable, real, makes you laugh and think!
This author had me look at life a little differently. I was glad to know I wasn’t alone in life’s challenges. I highly recommend this book. It’s an encouraging, hopeful, inspiring read you don’t want to miss.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher/Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Catalogue front page www.bookfun.org
What is the middle and why does it matter? The middle is that place you find yourself wanting to be on autopilot. Living “life” in the mundane, and in the middle of unexpected messes does matter. It’s hard, we struggle with our physical body and spiritual matter of things as we are working, raising a family and finding time for yourself, your spouse and God. None of us get it perfect in this life’s journey. She’s vulnerable, real, makes you laugh and think!
This author had me look at life a little differently. I was glad to know I wasn’t alone in life’s challenges. I highly recommend this book. It’s an encouraging, hopeful, inspiring read you don’t want to miss.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher/Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Catalogue front page www.bookfun.org
July 22, 2019
A light read of looking at the unique parts of everyday life. At your own pace, Lisa-Jo Baker shares essays to encourage you in the ordinary days of life. You'll laugh and hold your breath and maybe even cry with her as she is so good at making the ordinary of your life look so very good on you. You can read one essay in a few minutes to 5 minutes.
I especially liked the essay, "To the Father of My Children". My favorite quote.... "I didn't know what I didn't know, and I don't know if you did either."
Oh my there is so much truth to this after 36 years of marriage, from city girl to farm wife in one phrase, now seemingly short, "I do". We've had sickness (a lot) and health (occasionally). Joy & sorrows. And continue by the grace of God. But thankfully, Lisa-Jo treasures her little moments in her heart and shares them with us in her book, The Middle Matters!
I'm so very past "the middle" that thinking on that was a tad scary. No thank you on living past 110 years old!! I felt a bit like a bad mom for not having all the views into life that Lisa.Jo does at this point in her parenting and marriage. I'm working at looking for the good in my ordinary empty nest with no grandchildren to come and visit either.
I especially liked the essay, "To the Father of My Children". My favorite quote.... "I didn't know what I didn't know, and I don't know if you did either."
Oh my there is so much truth to this after 36 years of marriage, from city girl to farm wife in one phrase, now seemingly short, "I do". We've had sickness (a lot) and health (occasionally). Joy & sorrows. And continue by the grace of God. But thankfully, Lisa-Jo treasures her little moments in her heart and shares them with us in her book, The Middle Matters!
I'm so very past "the middle" that thinking on that was a tad scary. No thank you on living past 110 years old!! I felt a bit like a bad mom for not having all the views into life that Lisa.Jo does at this point in her parenting and marriage. I'm working at looking for the good in my ordinary empty nest with no grandchildren to come and visit either.
July 30, 2019
I found this book by Lisa Jo-Baker to be refreshingly REAL!
She doesn't hold back in sharing the intimate details of her life that make this book relatable to the reader. Her tone is conversational, light and humorous. Her storytelling style is strong and engaging.
I think that this book would resonate the most with women who are married and raising children. But as a single woman who is not yet a mother, I could relate to some of the stories and concepts in this book. So if you're single, don't shy away from reading this book!
It's special.
*I (Alexis A. Goring) received an ARC of “The Middle Matters: Why That (Extra)Ordinary Life Looks Really Good on You" from the author's publisher. My opinions in this honest review are my own.
She doesn't hold back in sharing the intimate details of her life that make this book relatable to the reader. Her tone is conversational, light and humorous. Her storytelling style is strong and engaging.
I think that this book would resonate the most with women who are married and raising children. But as a single woman who is not yet a mother, I could relate to some of the stories and concepts in this book. So if you're single, don't shy away from reading this book!
It's special.
*I (Alexis A. Goring) received an ARC of “The Middle Matters: Why That (Extra)Ordinary Life Looks Really Good on You" from the author's publisher. My opinions in this honest review are my own.
January 7, 2021
I enjoyed this book overall, the author Lisa-Jo Baker is funny, down to earth, and a wonderful storyteller.
I would classify it more of a book of memoirs rather than a devotional, but it was still inspiring.
The stories are real and you feel that, I appreciated that Lisa- Jo is as candid about her failures as she is her successes.
I also love that she stresses the importance of our relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ.
I would definitely recommend it to wives and moms who are looking for encouragement and a good read.
***Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the digital copy of this book. All views and opinions expressed in this review are my own.***
I would classify it more of a book of memoirs rather than a devotional, but it was still inspiring.
The stories are real and you feel that, I appreciated that Lisa- Jo is as candid about her failures as she is her successes.
I also love that she stresses the importance of our relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ.
I would definitely recommend it to wives and moms who are looking for encouragement and a good read.
***Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the digital copy of this book. All views and opinions expressed in this review are my own.***
July 23, 2019
I absolutely loved this book. I have been a Lisa-Jo fan for many years. Her transparency is so refreshing. It is perfectly targeted for Christian mothers and wives in their 40s. It’s nice to be able to relate to the author who has similar values and family goals. May not be for everyone. I would not recommend it to recent divorcees. But there is an audience for this message and I received it with open arms. I was surprised to find that I related to the chapters on the topic of sports/being a sports mom. I honestly found myself crying while reading one of those chapters. The lessons learned in encouraging your children through sports activities is relatable to all aspects of raising children to have good work ethic and endurance through difficult trials. Beautiful job, Lisa-Jo. Thank you for sharing this little piece of your heart.
July 30, 2019
This book is a breath of fresh air in a middle season that is full of pushing, pulling, and awkwardness. I love Lisa-Jo's way of inviting readers in for tea. We can laugh out loud together, talk about muffin tops, and even share tears at her table. She helps us embrace the middle - physically, mentally and spiritually. I'm grateful for the ways she give us permission, but also pushes us to see our middle passage as a God-given gift. I will definitely be recommending this book to my tribe!
June 27, 2019
I’ve recently finished reading this little gem as part of a book launch team. It’s like sitting down with a good friend who isn’t afraid to tell you the real truth about living life in the middle of marriage, parenting,career building,and faith-seeking. Lisa Jo Baker has a beautiful way with words, that’s both relatable and full of depth at the same time. She’s transparent,humorous and self-deprecating, which are traits I appreciate. Each chapter is brief and makes it possible to read for a few minutes and set it back down until later. It would be a great “waiting on children at a lesson” read.
Although it’s difficult for me to choose a favorite chapter to highlight, I’ll share this small portion from “What you don’t know about parenting”:
“This is what we mothers do for each other—we offer our own failures as proof that our sisters and daughters, our nieces and grands, will make it through the perilous journey of mothering too. Because no matter how many books you read or podcasts you listen to, nothing can prepare you for the fall you weren’t expecting. And fall we all will, sister. Hope hinges on the hands willing to grab on to us and pull us back out. This is the antidote to the loneliness of motherhood and the lie that we have failed. This willingness to give other mothers our true stories, especially the ones that don’t always have happy endings.”
Although it’s difficult for me to choose a favorite chapter to highlight, I’ll share this small portion from “What you don’t know about parenting”:
“This is what we mothers do for each other—we offer our own failures as proof that our sisters and daughters, our nieces and grands, will make it through the perilous journey of mothering too. Because no matter how many books you read or podcasts you listen to, nothing can prepare you for the fall you weren’t expecting. And fall we all will, sister. Hope hinges on the hands willing to grab on to us and pull us back out. This is the antidote to the loneliness of motherhood and the lie that we have failed. This willingness to give other mothers our true stories, especially the ones that don’t always have happy endings.”
June 4, 2019
I quickly joined The Middle Matters Launch team because I was intrigued by the book’s description. As a woman nearing her middle years, I was hoping to get some advice from someone who had already lived what I knew I would be facing in a few short years.
The Middle Matters is a collection of short stories with intriguing names The Scale Is Not the Boss of You, Parenting Is Do-Overs Times Infinity and Your Front Door Is Your Superpower.
The stories were authentic and well-written. After reading the book I think I can write a decent biography about the author. She created a desire for you to find your community and embrace your family and love the heck out of them and yourself.
But a lot of the time I felt like a voyeur who was reading someone’s journal or the very personal letters they had written for their family and friends. I didn’t learn how to embrace my age or how to find joy in my parenting or my marriage as I hit the saggy middle. I know what Ms. Baker’s doing in her middle and why she thinks it matters, but I’m not able to translate it into my own life.
Know God: Ms. Baker writes about her faith and how she felt Jesus welcomed her back into the church after she had been away too long. She writes about frank conversations about God and religion with her family and other people in her circle. She issues an invitation for you to get to know God for yourself so that you begin to understand and accept that God not only loves you, He likes you.
Know yourself: This entire book was about a woman who knows herself very well and is not afraid to share the messy parts of her life so far. She talks about her relationships with the confidence of someone who knows who she is and is comfortable in her own skin. It’s something to aspire to.
Run your race: The Middle Matters is divided into eight sections such as: Why the Middle of Your Muffin Top Matters, Why the Middle of Your Parenting Matters, Why the Middle of Your Failures Matters, and Why the Middle of Your Faith Matters. Each section talks about a different aspect of a person’s life. It provides an opportunity for you to zero in on the different areas of your life and challenges you to think about why it matters.
Favorite Quotes from The Middle Matters
The middle is worth remembering while you are actually living it, because you won’t pass by this way again.
Even on the days I am tired or frustrated or desperate for an hour to myself. I am aware that the God who made me gave me purpose and loves me, not because of what I do, what I weigh, or how I look, but because of who I am, and this is a miracle to me.
Your kids are not the boss of your feelings. God loves you because of who you are, not what you do.
The thing about beauty is that it’s always there; it just looks different for each of us. But it’s always there, waiting to be called out.
Parenting is always like finding yourself back at the beginning. Just when you think you’ve earned your PhD in newborns, your baby is a toddler and you’re back to the basics of what that means. Then you graduate out of that stage, finally feeling you’ve got things figured out, just in time to hit the elementary-school years, where you’re back to the drawing board.
Sometimes surrounded by all my Bibles and Bible studies and study books and commentaries and Christian self-help, I forget that I believe in a God who doesn’t just love us, rescue us, redeem us . . . but in one who likes us. He likes us.
I received a free copy of The Middle Matters from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are mine.
The Middle Matters is a collection of short stories with intriguing names The Scale Is Not the Boss of You, Parenting Is Do-Overs Times Infinity and Your Front Door Is Your Superpower.
The stories were authentic and well-written. After reading the book I think I can write a decent biography about the author. She created a desire for you to find your community and embrace your family and love the heck out of them and yourself.
But a lot of the time I felt like a voyeur who was reading someone’s journal or the very personal letters they had written for their family and friends. I didn’t learn how to embrace my age or how to find joy in my parenting or my marriage as I hit the saggy middle. I know what Ms. Baker’s doing in her middle and why she thinks it matters, but I’m not able to translate it into my own life.
Know God: Ms. Baker writes about her faith and how she felt Jesus welcomed her back into the church after she had been away too long. She writes about frank conversations about God and religion with her family and other people in her circle. She issues an invitation for you to get to know God for yourself so that you begin to understand and accept that God not only loves you, He likes you.
Know yourself: This entire book was about a woman who knows herself very well and is not afraid to share the messy parts of her life so far. She talks about her relationships with the confidence of someone who knows who she is and is comfortable in her own skin. It’s something to aspire to.
Run your race: The Middle Matters is divided into eight sections such as: Why the Middle of Your Muffin Top Matters, Why the Middle of Your Parenting Matters, Why the Middle of Your Failures Matters, and Why the Middle of Your Faith Matters. Each section talks about a different aspect of a person’s life. It provides an opportunity for you to zero in on the different areas of your life and challenges you to think about why it matters.
Favorite Quotes from The Middle Matters
The middle is worth remembering while you are actually living it, because you won’t pass by this way again.
Even on the days I am tired or frustrated or desperate for an hour to myself. I am aware that the God who made me gave me purpose and loves me, not because of what I do, what I weigh, or how I look, but because of who I am, and this is a miracle to me.
Your kids are not the boss of your feelings. God loves you because of who you are, not what you do.
The thing about beauty is that it’s always there; it just looks different for each of us. But it’s always there, waiting to be called out.
Parenting is always like finding yourself back at the beginning. Just when you think you’ve earned your PhD in newborns, your baby is a toddler and you’re back to the basics of what that means. Then you graduate out of that stage, finally feeling you’ve got things figured out, just in time to hit the elementary-school years, where you’re back to the drawing board.
Sometimes surrounded by all my Bibles and Bible studies and study books and commentaries and Christian self-help, I forget that I believe in a God who doesn’t just love us, rescue us, redeem us . . . but in one who likes us. He likes us.
I received a free copy of The Middle Matters from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are mine.
May 5, 2019
Lisa-Jo talks about all aspects of life in the middle years. She covers her experiences regarding body image, marriage, parenting, hospitality, failures, sports practices, friendship, and faith.
It was encouraging to hear her stories. I'm not quite to the middle but it's nice to see what's coming and have a positive perspective to draw from.
It was encouraging to hear her stories. I'm not quite to the middle but it's nice to see what's coming and have a positive perspective to draw from.
July 25, 2019
Lisa Jo wonderfully shares excerpts of her life and how she, and we too; can always find Jesus right there with us if we are looking to see him in the middle. The middle of our messes, our joys, our sadness, our illness. The middle where both the best and worst parts are being lived.
September 21, 2019
Who in their right mind says they love their muffin top figure? Someone who is happy with who they are and where they are, right in the middle. I had to read this book and find out what the secret was.
I was expecting to find a book that gave a “how-to” guide on coping with mid-life and how to revitalise living in the thick of it all. This is NOT one of those books! I’m so pleased it isn’t as I always fail on the first hurdle of trying to make myself better. Lisa-Jo has helped me to realise I don’t need to make myself better. I just need to love myself more.
Through her well-crafted stories, Baker has helped me to look at myself “through the sparkling, wild and wonderful eyes of my children”. All 5 of them! She has helped me to realise I should not be ashamed of a figure which has housed each of my children safely into this world. More importantly, my squishy body still continues to hold each and every single one of them safely.
Lisa-Jo writes with emotion and you will find yourself being drawn along side her saying in your mind, “Yes, me too!” You won’t feel like you are coping with your middle on your own anymore. I recommend this book to anyone who feels like they are needing some reassurances on how well they really are coping in their middle.
I was expecting to find a book that gave a “how-to” guide on coping with mid-life and how to revitalise living in the thick of it all. This is NOT one of those books! I’m so pleased it isn’t as I always fail on the first hurdle of trying to make myself better. Lisa-Jo has helped me to realise I don’t need to make myself better. I just need to love myself more.
Through her well-crafted stories, Baker has helped me to look at myself “through the sparkling, wild and wonderful eyes of my children”. All 5 of them! She has helped me to realise I should not be ashamed of a figure which has housed each of my children safely into this world. More importantly, my squishy body still continues to hold each and every single one of them safely.
Lisa-Jo writes with emotion and you will find yourself being drawn along side her saying in your mind, “Yes, me too!” You won’t feel like you are coping with your middle on your own anymore. I recommend this book to anyone who feels like they are needing some reassurances on how well they really are coping in their middle.
February 25, 2019
I was excited to see that Lisa-Jo Baker had a new book out on midlife and how to embrace it. I had just had a knee replacement and was feeling a little old at 46! Lisa-Jo is honest in her books and relates to her women readers and this one does not differ. The book is broken into different relationships and aspects of her life and how midlife has made her value them more. I did enjoy the book and found myself relating to her, but many chapters were written more like a letter to her a specific person, such as her child. I enjoyed the chapters that were written for the reader giving us life stories. I would recommend this book to other women as I think many of us our surprised how hard our mid-forties can be with older children, aging parents and body changes! It would be a great book club choice.
February 16, 2019
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
I'm quitting this at 14% (and I've been skimming for a while). The excerpt amused and interested me - the author is a little younger than me, but nevertheless I thought the book might speak to my life. However the last three chapters I have read were about how important it is for girls to be told they are beautiful (and dress in princess dresses) and the author's concerns about her weight and 'muffin top'. This is not for me.
I'm quitting this at 14% (and I've been skimming for a while). The excerpt amused and interested me - the author is a little younger than me, but nevertheless I thought the book might speak to my life. However the last three chapters I have read were about how important it is for girls to be told they are beautiful (and dress in princess dresses) and the author's concerns about her weight and 'muffin top'. This is not for me.
July 29, 2019
I love Lisa Jo! She’s like a good friend you could sit down and have coffee or tea with. Her books make you feel so at home. I’ve needed this book in the middle of my season. As a woman in my 40’s , I didn’t want to embrace my season. Lisa Jo writes so candidly about faith, kids, marriage, parenting, writing, friendships, and speaking. If you’re in the middle let her guide you. You’ll leave the book ready to embrace your season for sure.
April 22, 2019
I did not finish this book....while it had a great beginning i got little tired of reading all about author over and over again.
August 17, 2019
Order this book! Do not pass GO. Do not collect $200. Just order this book and hold a treasure!
If you have ever navigated the rocky waters of marriage or parenting, frustrations with finances or your physical body, failures or friendship, or simply the exhausting ups and downs of your own fickle heart in its deeply personal dance with faith in Christ, this book will meet you right where you are! Lisa-Jo welcomes you in with a generous bear hug, abundant smiles, genuinely compassionate eyes . . . and maybe her favorite tacos!
I’m talking about "The Middle Matters." I devoured it in a matter of days. Then immediately turned back to the beginning to read it again. I highlighted so many sections that I quit taking notes and just let the beauty of (extra) ordinary wash over me. Her words are memorable enough to declare careful record-keeping unnecessary!
I nodded, I chuckled, I sighed. I let the tears fall freely. I broke into heaving sobs. I laughed out loud.
Lisa-Jo Baker’s new book will take you on that journey. You will visit completely opposite ends of the emotional spectrum, and every point in between. Why? Because it is a collection of stories about life. Real life. And that is exactly the glorious, mysterious, maddening, terrifying, but also thrilling and wondrous adventure each and every one of us are traveling!
Lisa-Jo throws open her bright blue door, urging us inside to hang around her kitchen table with the remains of last night’s art project still lodged in its cracks! To join the conversation, unabashedly sharing our own stories! Encouraging us to look around, notice, and celebrate the smallest to biggest moments. To tell it like it is! To welcome others to step into our moments, give words to sights and sounds and smells and ALL the feels that make connections with perfect strangers and declare them sisters!
Months have passed since I first read this book, yet essay titles and catch-phrases from "The Middle Matter" keep popping into my head, offering understanding and clarity to so many of my own (extra) ordinary moments!
Friendly reminders:
. . . that it’s more than OK to “love like superglue,” to treasure a “pocket full of friends” that grows fuller and deeper with each passing year, and to understand and appreciate any opportunity to give “the gift of words,” especially lingering over a cup of hot tea!
. . . that there is a never-ending wedding “ring” that surrounds me more than any band around my finger, and that extraordinarily ordinary moments are truly the romantic and sexy ones in our marriage!
. . . that “parenting is do-over times infinity,” whether I am the parent looking for grace or the daughter offering it to my own mom and dad, that there are other moms who really do “sob in the mini-van” when their son or daughter finally, FINALLY overcomes their toughest challenge, and that a mother’s heart can promise things like “I will always come for you!’
. . . that the true beauty of a woman is not measured in inches or pounds or wrinkles or saggy arms, but in first breaths and steps, gotcha days, late nights, misunderstanding and forgiveness, heart-to-heart conversations, strength and never, ever giving up…
. . . that more than anything, we have a Savior who loves us like crazy, is big enough and strong enough to field any fiery question we launch and still offers truth and grace, who will always (always!!!!) be so thrilled when we seek His face, who will stop everything to meet us where we are with a jubilant and convincing welcome of “I’m just so glad you came!”
"The Middle Matters" is a keeper! It is worth reading again and again and again. Share a chapter with your hubby, your son or daughter, your girlfriend. It will give you words for ALL the THINGS you want to say. It will help you grieve what breaks your heart, but also help you rejoice in the smallest to biggest gifts! Lisa-Jo’s heart and insight will alter your own, helping you to celebrate and treasure it all – the good, the bad, but especially the in-between. Because the middle matters!
"The Middle Matters" by Lisa-Jo Baker, published by WaterBrook, is available wherever books are sold (also in audio, voiced by Lisa-Jo, herself!). Be sure to listen in to the "Out of the Ordinary Podcast" on Wednesdays, with Lisa-Jo and her long-time friend, Christie Purifoy, to enjoy more and more stories that will touch your heart!
#whythemiddlematters #bookreview #itsakeeper #buythisbook #tellyourstories #connectandencourage #extraordinary #outoftheordinarypodcast #HewelcomesusHome #truebeauty #lovelikesuperglue
If you have ever navigated the rocky waters of marriage or parenting, frustrations with finances or your physical body, failures or friendship, or simply the exhausting ups and downs of your own fickle heart in its deeply personal dance with faith in Christ, this book will meet you right where you are! Lisa-Jo welcomes you in with a generous bear hug, abundant smiles, genuinely compassionate eyes . . . and maybe her favorite tacos!
I’m talking about "The Middle Matters." I devoured it in a matter of days. Then immediately turned back to the beginning to read it again. I highlighted so many sections that I quit taking notes and just let the beauty of (extra) ordinary wash over me. Her words are memorable enough to declare careful record-keeping unnecessary!
I nodded, I chuckled, I sighed. I let the tears fall freely. I broke into heaving sobs. I laughed out loud.
Lisa-Jo Baker’s new book will take you on that journey. You will visit completely opposite ends of the emotional spectrum, and every point in between. Why? Because it is a collection of stories about life. Real life. And that is exactly the glorious, mysterious, maddening, terrifying, but also thrilling and wondrous adventure each and every one of us are traveling!
Lisa-Jo throws open her bright blue door, urging us inside to hang around her kitchen table with the remains of last night’s art project still lodged in its cracks! To join the conversation, unabashedly sharing our own stories! Encouraging us to look around, notice, and celebrate the smallest to biggest moments. To tell it like it is! To welcome others to step into our moments, give words to sights and sounds and smells and ALL the feels that make connections with perfect strangers and declare them sisters!
Months have passed since I first read this book, yet essay titles and catch-phrases from "The Middle Matter" keep popping into my head, offering understanding and clarity to so many of my own (extra) ordinary moments!
Friendly reminders:
. . . that it’s more than OK to “love like superglue,” to treasure a “pocket full of friends” that grows fuller and deeper with each passing year, and to understand and appreciate any opportunity to give “the gift of words,” especially lingering over a cup of hot tea!
. . . that there is a never-ending wedding “ring” that surrounds me more than any band around my finger, and that extraordinarily ordinary moments are truly the romantic and sexy ones in our marriage!
. . . that “parenting is do-over times infinity,” whether I am the parent looking for grace or the daughter offering it to my own mom and dad, that there are other moms who really do “sob in the mini-van” when their son or daughter finally, FINALLY overcomes their toughest challenge, and that a mother’s heart can promise things like “I will always come for you!’
. . . that the true beauty of a woman is not measured in inches or pounds or wrinkles or saggy arms, but in first breaths and steps, gotcha days, late nights, misunderstanding and forgiveness, heart-to-heart conversations, strength and never, ever giving up…
. . . that more than anything, we have a Savior who loves us like crazy, is big enough and strong enough to field any fiery question we launch and still offers truth and grace, who will always (always!!!!) be so thrilled when we seek His face, who will stop everything to meet us where we are with a jubilant and convincing welcome of “I’m just so glad you came!”
"The Middle Matters" is a keeper! It is worth reading again and again and again. Share a chapter with your hubby, your son or daughter, your girlfriend. It will give you words for ALL the THINGS you want to say. It will help you grieve what breaks your heart, but also help you rejoice in the smallest to biggest gifts! Lisa-Jo’s heart and insight will alter your own, helping you to celebrate and treasure it all – the good, the bad, but especially the in-between. Because the middle matters!
"The Middle Matters" by Lisa-Jo Baker, published by WaterBrook, is available wherever books are sold (also in audio, voiced by Lisa-Jo, herself!). Be sure to listen in to the "Out of the Ordinary Podcast" on Wednesdays, with Lisa-Jo and her long-time friend, Christie Purifoy, to enjoy more and more stories that will touch your heart!
#whythemiddlematters #bookreview #itsakeeper #buythisbook #tellyourstories #connectandencourage #extraordinary #outoftheordinarypodcast #HewelcomesusHome #truebeauty #lovelikesuperglue
July 25, 2019
Mother’s Day has come and gone and I am still trying to pull together my thoughts on the day. Or perhaps I should say, the significance of the day.
My life sits sandwiched between two generations of mothers. I am blessed to yet have my mom with me. She is truly the best mom I could ever have had. She is my best friend and more so, a beautiful example of strength, courage, faith, and perseverance.
Throughout her life, mom has held onto her faith in Jesus through good days and hard times. Her quiet yet strong will has shown me how to move forward in life, moment by moment, trusting the Lord to go before me.
She is generous, always putting others before herself. Her sense of humor is priceless as she can brighten up a day with a funny story or quip.
On the other side of me, are two women in the throes of motherhood. They are facing the challenges of raising children in the midst of an ever changing world. They have hard questions, face their doubts, and are working diligently to make homes and families on a foundation of faith and love.
And here’s me – in the middle. Still learning while at the same time hoping to live by example. I am kind of surprised to find myself here. OK, the right word would truly be, shocked.
I am shocked to be in the middle as I wonder – how did I even get here? It happened in the blink of an eye.
The middle can be thought of as the area between here and there. A central point.
Here is what I have come to discover as I have been processing Mother’s Day …
We are all in the middle of something in life. But may we not be in a rush to get from here to there or we will miss the blessing God has for us right where we are. In the middle.
I read The Middle Matters by Lisa-Jo Baker around Mother's Day and somehow I don’t think it was a coincidence especially as I read:
“The middle is the marrow. The glorious ordinary of your life that utterly exhausts you but that you might have finally started to understand in ways you didn’t at the beginning. Listen, I’m not asking you to seize the day here; I’m just asking you to actually see it. Even if just out of the corner of one eye. The middle is worth remembering while you are actually living it, because you won’t pass this way again.” (Lisa-Jo Baker)
I’m grateful for my middle. God has positioned me here because He knew I still had much to learn from my mom, while I yet need to pour out. God has placed me in the middle of my story. Not the beginning, when I was young and unsure of who I was. Not at the end, on that day when I will be all He ever meant for me to be.
No, He has placed me in the middle. The place where my life is being lived out and the story is yet being told for all my family to see.
This book will encourage you right where you are as we are all in the middle of life!
*I received an ARC of this book to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
My life sits sandwiched between two generations of mothers. I am blessed to yet have my mom with me. She is truly the best mom I could ever have had. She is my best friend and more so, a beautiful example of strength, courage, faith, and perseverance.
Throughout her life, mom has held onto her faith in Jesus through good days and hard times. Her quiet yet strong will has shown me how to move forward in life, moment by moment, trusting the Lord to go before me.
She is generous, always putting others before herself. Her sense of humor is priceless as she can brighten up a day with a funny story or quip.
On the other side of me, are two women in the throes of motherhood. They are facing the challenges of raising children in the midst of an ever changing world. They have hard questions, face their doubts, and are working diligently to make homes and families on a foundation of faith and love.
And here’s me – in the middle. Still learning while at the same time hoping to live by example. I am kind of surprised to find myself here. OK, the right word would truly be, shocked.
I am shocked to be in the middle as I wonder – how did I even get here? It happened in the blink of an eye.
The middle can be thought of as the area between here and there. A central point.
Here is what I have come to discover as I have been processing Mother’s Day …
We are all in the middle of something in life. But may we not be in a rush to get from here to there or we will miss the blessing God has for us right where we are. In the middle.
I read The Middle Matters by Lisa-Jo Baker around Mother's Day and somehow I don’t think it was a coincidence especially as I read:
“The middle is the marrow. The glorious ordinary of your life that utterly exhausts you but that you might have finally started to understand in ways you didn’t at the beginning. Listen, I’m not asking you to seize the day here; I’m just asking you to actually see it. Even if just out of the corner of one eye. The middle is worth remembering while you are actually living it, because you won’t pass this way again.” (Lisa-Jo Baker)
I’m grateful for my middle. God has positioned me here because He knew I still had much to learn from my mom, while I yet need to pour out. God has placed me in the middle of my story. Not the beginning, when I was young and unsure of who I was. Not at the end, on that day when I will be all He ever meant for me to be.
No, He has placed me in the middle. The place where my life is being lived out and the story is yet being told for all my family to see.
This book will encourage you right where you are as we are all in the middle of life!
*I received an ARC of this book to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 12, 2019
(Disclaimer: I was lucky enough to get an advanced Kindle copy of this book from the publisher.)
Far from the usual self-help fare that crowds nonfiction booklists for women, Lisa Jo Baker writes to offer readers something beyond therapy and how-to's. She offers friendship in a profound way that sets her apart from many other contemporary authors, faith-based and otherwise.
This isn't another Bible study workbook or intimidating autobiography about some stay at home mom who started a multi-million dollar company during her children's nap times. The book is organized as a series of essays based on topics from the middle season of life, and it's all so achingly familiar-- age ("Your Age is Not a Dirty Word), weight ("The Scale is Not the Boss of You"), marriage ("When You Think Your Love Story is Boring"), parenting ("Parenting is Do-Overs Times Infinity"), friendship ("Church in the Parking Lot"), and others. If you're familiar with Baker's work, you'll recognize many of the essays as reincarnated blogs and stories seen on her IG feed. The organization is well done and poignant to Baker's message that all of the all-too ordinary parts of our lives--from our living rooms to our kids soccer practices-- have significance.
I've read my share of self-help books (thanks, parenthood!), but I often get frustrated when I realize what I'm reading isn't from a professional or research-based position and is instead someone writing what they *think* everyone should do. This is troubling especially in the Christian market. Luckily, Baker isn't like that. She's more like company on the journey; less therapist and more girlfriend grabbing coffee with you. Of course there's time to reader/see a professional for the cracks in our lives, but I love Baker's kind company on the womanhood/motherhood journey. She's the shotgun buddy you want on your road trip.
When I think back to Baker's writings that have meant the most to me, I realize that Baker has a unique gift for friendship and I keep coming back to that as the strength of the book. In fact, it's kind of a shame that her books land in "Self-Help" because her writing isn't really about "self" at all, but more about "we"--the important "we" that makes up our lives in the relationships of family, friends, work, church, online followers, and any other place that humans reach out for one another. Baker preaches the importance of sharing life with others along life's road, and she models that beautifully in every page.
The Middle Matters is a great example of all that makes Baker's writing joyfully poignant. Baker's followers will find her signature candor, compassion, wisdom and fun in this book, while new readers will find a good friend and traveling companion.
Far from the usual self-help fare that crowds nonfiction booklists for women, Lisa Jo Baker writes to offer readers something beyond therapy and how-to's. She offers friendship in a profound way that sets her apart from many other contemporary authors, faith-based and otherwise.
This isn't another Bible study workbook or intimidating autobiography about some stay at home mom who started a multi-million dollar company during her children's nap times. The book is organized as a series of essays based on topics from the middle season of life, and it's all so achingly familiar-- age ("Your Age is Not a Dirty Word), weight ("The Scale is Not the Boss of You"), marriage ("When You Think Your Love Story is Boring"), parenting ("Parenting is Do-Overs Times Infinity"), friendship ("Church in the Parking Lot"), and others. If you're familiar with Baker's work, you'll recognize many of the essays as reincarnated blogs and stories seen on her IG feed. The organization is well done and poignant to Baker's message that all of the all-too ordinary parts of our lives--from our living rooms to our kids soccer practices-- have significance.
I've read my share of self-help books (thanks, parenthood!), but I often get frustrated when I realize what I'm reading isn't from a professional or research-based position and is instead someone writing what they *think* everyone should do. This is troubling especially in the Christian market. Luckily, Baker isn't like that. She's more like company on the journey; less therapist and more girlfriend grabbing coffee with you. Of course there's time to reader/see a professional for the cracks in our lives, but I love Baker's kind company on the womanhood/motherhood journey. She's the shotgun buddy you want on your road trip.
When I think back to Baker's writings that have meant the most to me, I realize that Baker has a unique gift for friendship and I keep coming back to that as the strength of the book. In fact, it's kind of a shame that her books land in "Self-Help" because her writing isn't really about "self" at all, but more about "we"--the important "we" that makes up our lives in the relationships of family, friends, work, church, online followers, and any other place that humans reach out for one another. Baker preaches the importance of sharing life with others along life's road, and she models that beautifully in every page.
The Middle Matters is a great example of all that makes Baker's writing joyfully poignant. Baker's followers will find her signature candor, compassion, wisdom and fun in this book, while new readers will find a good friend and traveling companion.
August 2, 2019
I have said it several times: Whenever Lisa-Jo Baker writes something, I'm gonna get my hands and my head and my heart all around it. (And more than likely, I'm gonna share it and tell all my friends to read it, too!) So it was no real surprise to find me on the Launch Team for her latest book, The Middle Matters. I've been on all of her launch teams to date... I knew that going in this book was different in that it is a collection of essays and they are all based on the Middle --of life, of parenting, of marriage, faith, and doubt, of --you know, our middles!?
I love Lisa-Jo because she is real... she is honest and open and she just tells it like it is. She is full of grace and love and she makes room at any given table and scooches over on any given couch. Her message rings loud and clear: You are welcome here. And you feel that with every story she tells!
There is something that is so needed for voices like hers --for hearts like hers-- in our world right now! She is an InCourager (--ya see what I did there?) and a Champion and, gah! We need to be people that love well and follow hard after Him (while being Oh So Real about our messy lives!) and Lisa-Jo shows us how to do that!
I have found myself in the middle of oh so many things right now... I could list them off, but really --so could you! We are ALL in the middle of something, and the author reminds us that the Middle is not a bad word... it's not a punishment or something we just try to rush through. Instead, in this series of essays written from her real life in the middle, she encourages us to stay present and to live fully... to trust the process and trust the God who is Alpha and Omega (the beginning and the end) and Who is also right with us, in the middle of every situation, every struggle, every stretching and growing moment... every victory and answered prayer as well as every let down and waiting season! He is with us and for us... and as you read these pages, you'll get the feeling that Lisa-Jo is that kind of friend, too!
Mostly, I guess what I'm learning as I read through this book is this:
I'm in the middle of learning to actually LOVE the Middle and not just try to rush through it to the End --or to whatever is Next and New!
I'm in the Middle of staying Present in my real life... and giving myself grace and living life open-handed and open-hearted and if/when you need a friendly reminder that you are not alone and to just keep going through the Middle... The Middle Matters and Lisa-Jo will be just the friendly encouragement you're looking for!
I highly recommend this book!
~Karrilee~
(As a member of her launch team, I did receive an advanced copy and this is my honest review!)
I love Lisa-Jo because she is real... she is honest and open and she just tells it like it is. She is full of grace and love and she makes room at any given table and scooches over on any given couch. Her message rings loud and clear: You are welcome here. And you feel that with every story she tells!
There is something that is so needed for voices like hers --for hearts like hers-- in our world right now! She is an InCourager (--ya see what I did there?) and a Champion and, gah! We need to be people that love well and follow hard after Him (while being Oh So Real about our messy lives!) and Lisa-Jo shows us how to do that!
I have found myself in the middle of oh so many things right now... I could list them off, but really --so could you! We are ALL in the middle of something, and the author reminds us that the Middle is not a bad word... it's not a punishment or something we just try to rush through. Instead, in this series of essays written from her real life in the middle, she encourages us to stay present and to live fully... to trust the process and trust the God who is Alpha and Omega (the beginning and the end) and Who is also right with us, in the middle of every situation, every struggle, every stretching and growing moment... every victory and answered prayer as well as every let down and waiting season! He is with us and for us... and as you read these pages, you'll get the feeling that Lisa-Jo is that kind of friend, too!
Mostly, I guess what I'm learning as I read through this book is this:
I'm in the middle of learning to actually LOVE the Middle and not just try to rush through it to the End --or to whatever is Next and New!
I'm in the Middle of staying Present in my real life... and giving myself grace and living life open-handed and open-hearted and if/when you need a friendly reminder that you are not alone and to just keep going through the Middle... The Middle Matters and Lisa-Jo will be just the friendly encouragement you're looking for!
I highly recommend this book!
~Karrilee~
(As a member of her launch team, I did receive an advanced copy and this is my honest review!)
June 24, 2019
I’ve been anxiously awaiting Lisa-Jo Baker’s new book since the first moment I heard about it. She has a way of sharing real life stories and encouragement in the most relatable, encouraging way. The Middle Matters invites readers into the Lisa-Jo’s life as if you were friends sharing a meal at her Tuesday night small group.
The book in a couple sentences: Although the title might lead readers to believe this book is for women in the middle of life or the middle of motherhood, this book is really for every woman. Through her experiences as a wife, mama, friend, and believer, Lisa-Jo highlights the joy and beauty found intermixed with the trials and disappoints of everyday life. Her words bring solidarity and encouragement to where we live and the moments that often feel mundane and so routinely uninspiring. She challenges readers to embrace the life they’re currently living and find the extra in their ordinary.
What I liked most: I was a little worried this book might be too much parenting, but I was so pleasantly surprised. Lisa-Jo shares stories about her fears, failures, and wins as a mama in a way that doesn’t feel superficial and doesn’t overwhelm the book. I should have known she’d find a way to balance this part of her life as a part of her book. The truth is that marriage, parenthood, friendship, and faith are all part of her life (mine too) and share valuable space in how we live. I almost cried in the orthodontist’s office when she shared about an incident with her son. It was a story I could have written a million times. Her husband’s words were the words I needed hear as well and I’m grateful she was brave enough to write the words I hold so closely, the ones I wish weren’t true and the parts I long to change. Most surprisingly, her essays about faith were a welcomed gift for me right now. She bravely shares about her doubts and growth in a way that embraces the reality of our faith journeys. Not only does she teach with her words, she teaches through the honesty and vulnerability of what she shares. I am so thankful she included every part of this book.
I might change: I would love to go even deeper into these topics with a study guide.
A quote to remember: “It’s the church that labeled Thomas a doubter. Jesus simply called him a friend and showed up and let old Thomas have at it. What if we made more room for doubt and less demand for fired-up, frame-worthy faith?”
I received an advanced copy from the publisher.
The book in a couple sentences: Although the title might lead readers to believe this book is for women in the middle of life or the middle of motherhood, this book is really for every woman. Through her experiences as a wife, mama, friend, and believer, Lisa-Jo highlights the joy and beauty found intermixed with the trials and disappoints of everyday life. Her words bring solidarity and encouragement to where we live and the moments that often feel mundane and so routinely uninspiring. She challenges readers to embrace the life they’re currently living and find the extra in their ordinary.
What I liked most: I was a little worried this book might be too much parenting, but I was so pleasantly surprised. Lisa-Jo shares stories about her fears, failures, and wins as a mama in a way that doesn’t feel superficial and doesn’t overwhelm the book. I should have known she’d find a way to balance this part of her life as a part of her book. The truth is that marriage, parenthood, friendship, and faith are all part of her life (mine too) and share valuable space in how we live. I almost cried in the orthodontist’s office when she shared about an incident with her son. It was a story I could have written a million times. Her husband’s words were the words I needed hear as well and I’m grateful she was brave enough to write the words I hold so closely, the ones I wish weren’t true and the parts I long to change. Most surprisingly, her essays about faith were a welcomed gift for me right now. She bravely shares about her doubts and growth in a way that embraces the reality of our faith journeys. Not only does she teach with her words, she teaches through the honesty and vulnerability of what she shares. I am so thankful she included every part of this book.
I might change: I would love to go even deeper into these topics with a study guide.
A quote to remember: “It’s the church that labeled Thomas a doubter. Jesus simply called him a friend and showed up and let old Thomas have at it. What if we made more room for doubt and less demand for fired-up, frame-worthy faith?”
I received an advanced copy from the publisher.
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