An Unusual Way for Mothers to Be Intentional This Lent

Patty sat across from me at Denny’s in Bakersfield. Smiling, excited about her new release this week, telling me all about the book that inspired it and how it had become even better under the advice of another author.

“When I shared the book, she told me that I needed to cut out the first chapter. I cried. Then she asked me why I wrote it.” Patty went on to tell how she’d cried again at the emotions that welled up as she described her heart for women and our crazy tendency to pile more and more on our shoulders—of her dream of helping women to learn to live intentionally. To learn to rest.

That book was Slow Down, Mama: Intentional Living in a Hurried World. Today, the companion devotional releases, so I thought it was the perfect time to tell you what I’ve discovered in Slow Down, Mama.

Although this book is addressed to mothers, women of any walk (men, too, for that matter) will be reminded of how easy it is to be drawn into more and more until we’ve lost all peace. Until we spin wildly from one task or idea to the next without any purpose behind what we choose to do.

What’s it like? What’s in it for you?

Written in a conversational style, Slow Down Mama offers scripturally supported ideas for choosing when to swim with all you’ve got and when to gently tread water. Each chapter provides more than a look at motivations behind our actions. They even offer recommendations for other books that may help in the journey to a less activity-cluttered life.

I actually recommend this book to anyone. You won’t find a lot of earth-shattering, never-before-heard ideas in it. Instead, you will find gentle reminders of things we tend to tune out. You’ll be encouraged to look to the Lord for where you should spend your time and energy.

Patty Scott does this with an obvious heart for people, an approachable style, and a mindfulness to individual personalities. This isn’t a twelve-step program to perfection. Instead, it’s a heartfelt plea to turn to Jesus and allow Him to be that Sabbath Rest we so need in our crazy world.

Disclaimer: I’ve not yet finished it, but I’ve seen no hint that there will be any serious issues that will create caveats to my recommendation.

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An Unusual Way for Mothers to Be Intentional This Lent

What does all this have to do with Lent?

Since today is the first day of Lent, the companion devotional releases. Just one thing. While I’ve never participated in Lent on any kind of serious basis, as I understand it, Lent is a time to give up something—a luxury as it were—as a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

What better thing to “give up” for forty days than excess busyness, harried hurriedness, and a lack of focus? Some say it takes twenty-one days to create a new habit. At nearly double that number, Lent has the possibility of teaching us mindfulness in our choices and creating a new habit in even the most stubborn of us.

Ever since I began reading Slow Down, Mama, I can’t help but think of a quote from the movie, Sabrina—the one with Harrison Ford. In it, Sabrina says, “More isn’t always better, Linus. Sometimes more is just more.”

Sometimes I hear people talk about Lent in a rather rote manner—as in, “It’s that time again. Gotta choose something to skip for forty-days. I think this year it’s ice cream.” I’m not saying it’s always like that for every person, and I know that not all Christians participate in the tradition.

However, in as much as I can be mindful of Lent this year, I’m following this idea—giving up busyness and replacing it with focus on learning from the Lord what He wants from me. Forty days. Who knows…

Maybe after forty days, it’ll be a habit.

Here’s a bit more about it.

Title: Slow Down, Mama: Intentional Living in a Hurried World.

Author: Patty H. Scott

Synopsis:  Do you run yourself ragged trying to keep up with all the demands of life? Have you found yourself regularly saying there isn’t enough time in the day? Is your life flying by while you feel you are missing out on what matters most? Maybe you are just a little overextended or you feel the need to slow down to make more of your life.

In Slow Down, Mama, Patty H. Scott shares her own story of how she discovered an unsuspected truth.

Slowing down held the key to all her deeper longings. In this encouraging book, Patty shares empowering insights and tools to help you live with purpose. You will learn what is at the root of your busyness, how to move past your personal pitfalls and identify your truest purposes, and how to develop and solidify life-giving habits.

Patty’s writing style feels like you are sitting with a good friend over coffee. You will walk away from this book with a personalized plan for living a simpler and more fulfilling life and the encouragement you need to stick with your resolution.

And don’t forget to check out the companion devotional–Slow Down Mama: 31 Days to Help You Slow and Savor.  

Tell me… am I the only one who is always on the go, go, go?