Sally Clarkson - The Mission of Motherhood: Touching Your Childs Heart of Eternity

Sally Clarkson is on a timely and much-needed mission. Aroused by the cultures attacks on motherhood, she calls women to be intentional about raising up a new generation of children who will think biblically and live authentically for Christ. She offers a solid, scriptural plan for reaching and shaping the heart of a child. I pray that The Mission of Motherhood will revive the joy of godly mothering in womens hearts everywhere.

N ancy L eigh D e M oss , author and host of Revive Our Hearts Radio

In true Sally Clarkson form, The Mission of Motherhood touches the heart. Sally faces some hard questions and thought-provoking ideas about what the Bible has to say on motherhood. With tenderness and compassion, combined with a wonderful knowledge of the Scriptures, she unfolds to us Gods plan for the family. A true work of art.

L ynn V an W ingerden , wife, mother of 23 children, and grandmother of 7

Contained in these pages are help and hope for every mom. Sallys book is thought-provoking yet practical. I highly recommend The Mission of Motherhood.

L inda D illow , author of Calm My Anxious Heart, Intimate Issues, and Gift-Wrapped by God

Sally Clarkson has achieved a beautiful balance of biblical teaching and the heart of a mother in The Mission of Motherhood. She gently takes the reader by the hand and stands with her before the truth of her calling. Readers will be entertained by her personal stories, empowered by Gods call to mothers, and encouraged by Sallys teaching.

V icki C aruana , author of the best-selling Apples & Chalkdust and founder of EncourageTeachers.com [inactive]

In The Mission of Motherhood, Sally Clarkson invites the reader into her family and into her heart to see mother in action: teaching, comforting, training, enriching, and blessing. This book elevates the mission of motherhood and sends the reader back to her children pumped.

J ean F leming , author of A Mothers Heart

Sally hasnt one impolite bone in her body. She so politely passes on what is actually a powerful message. Those who seek affirmation of the value of traditional motherhood will find it here, wrapped in biblical principles and a certain sympathetic sweetness.

K aren A ndreola , author of A Charlotte Mason Companion

T HE M ISSION OF M OTHERHOOD
P UBLISHED BY W ATER B ROOK P RESS
12265 Oracle Boulevard, Suite 200
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80921

All Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977.
Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org).

eISBN: 978-0-307-56466-5

Copyright 2003 by Sally Clarkson

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Published in the United States by WaterBrook Multnomah, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House Inc., New York.

W ATER B ROOK and its deer colophon are registered trademarks of Random House Inc.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Clarkson, Sally.

The mission of motherhood: touching your childs heart for eternity / by Sally Clarkson. 1st ed.

p. cm.

1. MotherhoodReligious aspectsChristianity. 2. MothersReligious life. I. Title.

BV4529.18C53 2003

248.8431dc21

2002011002

v3.1_r3

To the Lord Jesus,
who had such a great idea when he invented mothers

As I look back over the years in which God prepared this message in my heart, it was as though the message found me. I didnt pursue itbut here it is. I want to thank the Lord for years of his faithfulness to me and for showing me that he does care about the desires of my heart and my dreams.

When my husband, Clay, and I first decided to host conferences for mothers, the Lord raised up several friends and their families who supported us through all of the years of building our ministry, followed us all over the United States, and worked tirelessly at our conferences. They have also faithfully supported me throughout the writing of this book and prayed for me each step of the way. Thank you, Dana Clay, Lynn Custer, and Kathy Jackson, for working so hard and reaching out to so many women. Thanks to your committed husbands and wonderful children for working tooat registration, setup, and cash registersand for serving the moms at our conferences so enthusiastically. Havent we got some great memories?

Linda Dillow, you are the catalyst in my life who opened doors for this book and for our family to have three great years in the mountains. Ill always be grateful for your friendship, help, enthusiasm, prayers, and passion for our Lord.

Phyllis Stanley, your life embodies what I hope to become. Your care, time, and friendship help to sustain me and give me energy and hope for my many tasks.

Lynn van Wingerden is my friend who called and encouraged me throughout the whole process of this book and checked on me when I returned from each speaking trip. Keep checking on me, LynnI need it. Shelley Rose is the best neighbor in the world and was available for our children to invade her home any time of day. Lynn Bradshaw prayed and wrote me sweet notes and sent chocolate.

Thanks also to Mom and Nana for praying for us every day.

A special thanks to sweet Sarah for all that you do to help me and for being my kindred spirit. There will be jewels in your crown for your faithfulness in the hundreds of small ways you serve the Lord and me each day. Thanks to Joel for willingly helping me with my tasks and loads and encouraging me and bringing out my tender side because of your gentle spirit. Nathan, thanks for being so fun and loving, for being proud of me and affirming me as a creative person, and for being my friend. And thanks to Joy for your beautiful, responsive heart, your loving pats and hugs, your enjoyment in our relationship, and your patience when I sit in front of my computer. I appreciate all you kids for having such great hearts for your mom and dad and for believing in our projects.