Customer Reviews

To Be a Mother: Adopting God's Heart

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an amazing story of redemption and grace. I expected a predictable memoir, but Deanna is a powerful writer who puts you right inside the story. I could not stop reading! Every woman should read this book...the themes are universal and the outcome is an encouraging reminder of God's amazing love. This book reminded me that it is never too late for any of us. Who doesn't have regrets from her past? Deanna shows us how to rise above circumstances and past mistakes, and continue to evolve during every season of our life. I loved the book and found it very inspiring.

Review by: Dennis Gerard Embo, author of <The God That Prevailed>

St. Augustine of Hippo opens Book I, Chapter 1 of his <Confessions> with a doxology, proclaiming, "You are great, O Lord, and greatly to be praised: great is your power and to your wisdom there is no limit." Deanna Jones' spiritual memoir <To Be a Mother: Adopting God's Heart> takes the reader from a very dysfunctional childhood relationship with her human father to her ultimate and joyous discovery of God as her spiritual "Father" and deliverer. Hers is very much the story of a woman who enters adulthood alienated from God, but who in the end we see experiencing God's presence in very intimate and tangible ways. The immediacy of God's presence in so many of her personal experiences as she rises from intense inner pain and despair to wonder and elation is beautifully expressed in the pages of this book.

One aspect of the book I particularly appreciate is Deanna's level of candor in which she shares with the reader her youthful naïveté; her alternating fear and love for her mentally troubled father; her fits of rage against what she came to realize later was a very distorted concept of God as a fearful ogre like her human father; her inner turmoil as she grappled alone with her unplanned pregnancy, her decision to abort, followed by her life literally coming unraveled; her cherished dream of a successful career as an entertainer collapsing before her in a heap.

The remainder of the book can be compared to the aftermath of a violent storm that has just passed. The rain finally stops, the clouds begin to dissipate, and the sun, little by little, begins to break through the clouds. Such was Deanna's slow ascent into presence of One she had once despised and feared: God. But not God in some abstract theological construct, but God as a caring and forgiving Father. Here begins a story filled with fascination, wonder and surprise as the grace of God, manifested through a wide variety of personal circumstances, and even dreams, looms larger and larger in her life until that day when she comes to the realization that God, her heavenly Father, had been with her all along, even in her darkest hours. To paraphrase Augustine, "...you were with [Deanna], but [she] was not with you."

For me one of the most endearing parts of the book is Deanna's self-effacing confession that she is anything but a [Jill]-of-all-trades when it comes to children and what mothers and elementary school teachers have come to know and (not always) love as "arts and crafts." Perhaps arts and crafts are not Deanna's forte, but what she certainly has succeeded in doing is penning a moving personal memoir that once again reaffirms the new life even the most despairing of us can discover in the inexhaustible ocean of God's mercy, and the wonders of His love.

Five years ago, at age 75, I awoke from my slumber regarding the plaque which rages in our nation...the plague of abortion. I ventured out of the comfort of my home and joined the 'prayer warriors' on the street outside the walls of the bloody local abortatory in Deanna's home town (a dingy, converted 1898 limestone school building), to pray and to draw attention of the passing motorist to what was happening inside this once happy learning place, now a killing place.
My first pro-life bumper sticker read "Abortion..One Dead One Wounded". I was well aware of the "One Dead" and had seen the signs crying out "I Regret My Abortion" held by the brave...Wounded... women of 'Silent No More' . Brave, indeed, they are.. and that was all I knew. I knew not the depth of their wounds or that those wounds could be fatal...UNTIL I read "To Be A Mother". Deanna Jones tells how deep were her wounds...almost deadly. Deanna exposes the lie that aborting will "solve your problem". We know who is the Father of Lies She tells about sinking into despondence with thoughts of self destruction...One could weep at her pain...but then after the dark night..rejoice with her ,and praise God as we read how God is using her in His quest to save his precious infants. Thanks, Deanna, for teaching me in my old age. Barney Baxter

In To Be a Mother, Deanna Jones brings us into her life from childhood to adulthood. I wanted to rescue her from difficult situations as I read through her pain. Many of us can relate to her testimony whether we have experienced her trials or not. As women, we can relate to her struggles. As mothers we can feel her heart. I read this book in one afternoon. I couldn't put it down!

In TO BE A MOTHER, Deanna Jones revisits traditional values and questions the 20th century belief that all women must aspire to loftier dreams than motherhood. At the same time, she beautifully sets the tone for a new paradigm for the women of today. I echo the concept that women can take their God-given gifts to mother and change the world through adoption, advocacy, and the valuing of human life rather than selfish motives and the destruction of life. This is a great read for those wanting to be reminded that it is a blessing TO BE A MOTHER. I also recommend the book as a wonderful gift idea for any young woman on the brink of adulthood.

I'm a dad and I started reading this book at soccer practice, while sitting amongst all the soccer moms... I'm sure they were wondering... Not able to put the book down, seven hours later, I had finished. This was a very engaging story about love and grace and redemption. If I had a daughter, I would give her this book. As I have sons instead, I am all the more motivated to raise my boys to respect women and wait until marriage before having intimate relations. It's refreshing to read about a woman who overcomes adversity, discerns and follows God's calling in her heart, and gets to live out her dream in a BIG way - to be a mother!

Prepare to be engulfed as Deanna shares the story of her journey from utter dispair to healing and acceptance. Her devastated heart cries out to God for forgiveness and mercy after experiencing profound post-abortive grief. God answers her tearful prayers and turns her sadness into joy! You'll delight in reading how the Lord fulfilled Deanna's dream of motherhood. A deeply moving story that will minister to hurting women everywhere. Mary Singer Wick, bestselling author of "My Heart's Desire: A Journey Toward Finding Extravagant Love".

A must read for anyone who has been affected by abortion. Deanna pours out her heart to show there is true love, redemption, and hope for those who have been through, or seen the devastation that abortion brings. There is much to be said when a woman confides her most deepest shame and hurt to help bring healing to others. Thank you Deanna.

A hopeful story of redemption from choices all too common in our world. Jones tells her own story from her heart and shows the power of God to work a wonderful transformation. The story goes beyond her journey through a music career based on talent rising her to a unique niche in the entertainment world. The journey takes a radical turn as motherhood to first two children and then four more adopted from across the world is contrasted to the one lost much earlier to a teenage abortion. A gentle book to help us understand one of the most difficult circumstances in life and how a positive outcome can be found.