Book Review - The Super Mom Myth - Write Them On My Heart

SuperMom? SuperWoman? Not even close? Good thing Jesus is our Hero. He's not comic book fiction. Our Savior is real and returning someday to conquer evil for good. If you have surrendered your life to Him, then you do not need to fight the dirty villains alone. Jesus fights with us. He fights FOR us.

Book Review – The Super Mom Myth

May 10

~ Today’s Scripture Art and Book Review of the Super Mom Myth are designed to help you write God’s Word on your heart. ~

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I’m pretty sure that I don’t qualify as a young mom anymore. My two sons are married and have children of their own. But I decided to jump in on the study at my church of The Super Mom Myth – as a possible mentor (after this post I had to!) and also as a support to my sweet friend who was leading it. I was the oldest person there. As you can probably imagine, I had a slightly different take on this book than the other gals.

I totally did not expect this – but I got a lot out of it!

And not even about being a mom!

Although the whole book is about being a mom, I was pleasantly surprised about how much I was able to apply to my empty-nest life. So that is the slant I will take here.

As you read this, think Super Woman instead of Super Mom.

Becky Kopitzke is funny and relatable and never judgmental. She’s a story-teller as well as a practical teacher.

She inspired me to be a better person.

For example, Becky asks, “Do you ever wonder if you’d act differently with Jesus in the room? Hey, I’d spiff up my behavior if the mailman stopped by. Imagine how far I’d go to tame my tongue for the Lord of the universe. And that’s the kicker. God is in the room.”

I used to say that to my kids, too … Would you be watching that if Jesus was here? Because He is!

And you know I liked Becky when she told the story of her weary friend who came across Hebrews 4:12 in the Amplified version of the Bible which says “For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing and effective].”

Hebrews 4:12 Scripture Art — *Shop this ^ Printable wall art or bookmark HERE.

Suddenly it was right there in front of her. God’s Word is supposed to be energizing!

“The Bible is better than coffee!” ~Becky Kopitzke

A woman after my own heart.

Let’s never forget Who energizes us.

Becky explains, “Jesus is the mightiest warrior, the most righteous ruler, the maker of miracles, and the keeper of true superhuman power. He’s not comic book fiction. Our Savior is real, readily available, and returning someday to conquer evil for good. If you have surrendered your life to Him, then you do not need to fight your dirty villains alone. The Hero fights with you. He fights FOR you.”

Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Super Mom? Super Woman? Not even close? Good thing Jesus is our Hero. Find out how Jesus fights with us - even FOR us. #Philippians413 — *Shop this ^ Scripture art HERE.

The Super Mom Myth can be read alone or in a small group (which is what I did). There are discussion questions and application tasks for each chapter in the back of the book. And gobs of Scripture – just how I like it! Let’s start with …

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Becky says, “According to Scripture, our primary purpose in life is not parenting. Or marriage. Or landing a great position. What you do is not who you are. If you have faith in Christ, then your identity is first and foremost not as a mom but a child – God’s child, His special possession. You’ve been chosen. Why? ‘That you may declare the praises of Him who called you…’ You and I exist to bring glory to God.”

I had to ask myself: do I bring glory to God in all that I do?

Becky devotes a chapter to each of 8 “dirty villains” who want to trip us up so we won’t bring glory to God.

You definitely don’t have to be a mom to be familiar with their evil powers … anger, worry, comparison, busyness, unhealthy approaches to housework (both ways), exhaustion, husband-neglect and self-neglect.

Becky asks indirectly and directly throughout her book, “Why are we holding ourselves to a Super Mom [or woman] standard? God never set that expectation. The only “super” within you and me is God Himself. And do you know what that means? We don’t have to hide from our flaws. All those triggers that conjure villains – God says welcome them. Because they invite the very strength and presence of Jesus.”

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Welcome them! And He can get all the glory when He gives us strength.

Let me give you a taste of how she covered one of the dirty villains – our favorite, worry – and then you can read about the other seven in the book!

“Do you enjoy worrying? I sure hope not. Does it make you feel strong? More likely it weakens your spirit. So why would we purposely impart this same debility to our children? We wouldn’t. And that’s the problem. Often we’re not aware of Worry Woman’s effect on our kids until the damage has already been done. If your goal is to raise a timid child, I can offer a few tips – from experience. Say “Be careful,” more than you say, “I believe in you.” Pray for your child’s safety more than you pray for her character. Fear the world more than you trust God. Terrible, isn’t it? I’m fanatical about keeping my children safe. I want to spare them pain. Yet, beneath my anxious surface, what I really want most for them is faith – to love and follow Christ with unswerving devotion. That kind of life is meaningful beyond measure, but it may not necessarily be safe. Sometimes God asks us to take risks. Bold faith requires stretching beyond what’s comfortable or certain.”

I had to ask myself: do I spur those around me on to unswerving bold faith or comfortable safety?

Do you ever wrestle with the monotony of life? The vacuuming, the potty training, the grocery shopping and carpooling – it can be so dull and unglamorous.

Becky points out that the ordinary moments have extraordinary value in God’s eyes. “He has never been as concerned with our performance as He is with our hearts. Do you have a heart to follow Jesus no matter your circumstances? No matter the audience?”

Yet another question to ask myself.

Speaking of vacuuming …

Becky admits, “Some days I spend more time cleaning up after my family than I do enjoying my family. You too? That is not how Jesus lived. Jesus got dirty. He traveled dusty roads. He healed lepers. He washed grown men’s feet. He pressed His lips to communal drinking cups. He was not afraid to touch disease, to hold grubby children in His arms, or to be swarmed by hordes of human beings in an era before antiperspirant, indoor plumbing, or microfiber kitchen cloths. In order to reach people’s hearts, Jesus got up close and personal with their grime.”

John 15:4-5 (ESV): Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:5 — *Shop this ^ Printable HERE.

Becky asks, “Did you catch that? Apart from me you can do nothing. All our housekeeping, child rearing, errands, work – it amounts to zero without Jesus. He’s our sustenance, ladies. When we let ourselves slip out of the vine, we become withered branches, useless and barren. No wonder we’re drained.”

But when you’re drained …

Isaiah 40:28-30 (NLT): Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.

God never grows weak or weary! And when we abide in Him …

Psalm 46:1 (ESV): God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Becky finishes her book with 5 lifestyle habits that can help you tap into God’s strength and wisdom as you face the dirty villains day by day. You will definitely want to read them, pray about them, and put them into practice!