Kimberly Knowle-Zeller is a writer, pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and mother of two. She writes on the intersection of faith and parenting, searching for holiness in the ordinary. Her widely acclaimed stories on faith and motherhood have appeared in The Christian Century, Living Lutheran, Episcopal Cafe, Coffee + Crumbs, and more. She lives in Cole Camp, Missouri.

Introduction

A Blessing for Beginning

INFANCY

Letters to our Children: Writing our Stories

Joy in a New Creation: First Doctor's Appointment

Becoming a Mother : Seasons of Beginnings

Permission to Be New: New Motherhood

The Power of Names: Naming our Children

Swaddling Fear and Wonder: Managing Anxiety

My Alleluia Song: Birth Stories

Wonderfully Made: Body Image and Motherhood

Nourished: Community and New Motherhood

A Worthy Calling : Milestone: Going Back to Work after Maternity Leave

The Moon at 3 AM: Seasons of Sleeplessness

A Note to the Sleep-Deprived Mama: Motherhood Milestone: Broken sleep

Blessing our Kids: Faith Formation

Embracing Fullness: Motherhood and Identity

Waiting on Words: Seasons of Comparison

Rinsing Bottles and Searching for Peace: Grappling with Mom Guilt

Prayers of the People: Learning to Pray

Someone to See Me: Working Motherhood/Friendship

Marriage and Missing Puzzle Pieces: Marriage

TODDLERHOOD

Cries in the Night : Coping with Illness

"You're Doing Great, Mama!" : Seasons of Doubt and Uncertainty

Making Home: Comparison and Contentment

Each Day a Gift : Days of Small Things

Forgiveness at Mealtime: Managing Emotions and Saying Sorry.

God's Favorite: Seasons of Trust

Every Ending a Beginning: Milestone: Weaning

Growing up at the Park: Seasons of Letting Go

What We Carry: Emotional Labor

Taking Care: Learning to Mother

How We Measure: Comparison

A Lesson from Hide & Seek: Connecting with God

The Beauty of Christmas: First Church Pageant

Remembering Loved Ones: Grief and Memories

She Taught Me to Mother: Mothering Mentors

God's Masterpiece: Seasons of Trust

Enjoying the Crumbs: Our "Good Old Days"

Growing as a Mother: Seasons of Growth

CHILDHOOD

A Gentler Approach to Mornings: Motherhood and Anger

"What'd You Have for Breakfast?": Seasons of Connection

Water and Light: Milestone: Baptism

Morning Quiet Time: Investing in the Mother

The Miracle of Rest: Self-Care for Moms

Worshiping with Children: Faith Formation

"Mommy, Follow Me!": Catching Faith from our Children

A Mother's Hands: Seasons of Change

The Power of Words: Learning Generosity from our Children

More than a Mess: Seasons of Paying Attention

A Sledding Date to Remember: The Power of Play

Nothing is Lost: Seasons of Small Things

Waiting on a Miracle: Season of Trying to Conceive

Hand-Me Down Love: Connection with Others

When Grief Speaks: Loss/Miscarriage

The Weight of Worry: Seasons of Anxiety

Hope in Flowers: Pregnancy After Loss

Summer Days are Meant for the Pool: Remembering our Baptisms

Tell Your Story: Motherhood and Identity

Important Work: Seasons of Paying Attention

"I'm Sorry": Asking Forgiveness

Same Team: Marriage and Parenting Together

Before You Were Born: Trusting in God

Prayers While Expecting : Preparing for a New Baby

"Another Jesus Story, Please!": Sharing the Gospel with Children

I Can Hear You!: Listening to Others

Brave and Scared: Milestone: First Day of Preschool

First Day of Kindergarten: Milestone: Starting Kindergarten

Goodbye Diapers: Milestone: No More Diapers

A Calendar of Prayers: Practicing Gratitude

Rooted: The Gifts of Community

Because You Say So: Seasons of Insecurity

We are One: Prayer with Children

Let's Go for a Walk: Community and Prayer

From First Steps to Riding on His Own: The Miracle of Milestones

Sibling Love: Sibling Relationships

Grace in Transitions: Navigating Growing Pains

Fights Worth Fighting: Learning to Coexist with Others

Welcoming a Little One: Expanding your Family and Sibling Relationships

"Are We There Yet?" : Being Present

Birthday Blessings: Marking Milestones

Opting Out (For Now): Seasons of Rest

The Gifts of Other Mothers: Friendship

The Women at the Well: Seasons of Nurturing Community

Ultimate Superhero: Grace over Perfection in Motherhood

Imagine: The Beauty of Motherhood

Beauty on the Path: Seeing Ourselves Through God's Eyes

Afterword

Acknowledgements