Customer Reviews

Blue Like Play Dough: The Shape of Motherhood in the Grip of God

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There are many books written about the difficulties of parenthood, but most try to give advice designed to make the reader try harder to fit into some predetermined mold of a 'perfect' parent. This book, instead, frees a mom to open her soul so God can create the uniquely perfect person he destined her to be.

Like most mothers, Tricia talks about her insecurities as a mom, "I worried that I disciplined my kids too much. Or maybe not enough. That I fed them the wrong foods or allowed their brains to be filled with too much mindless entertainment. I worried I wasn't the helpmate my husband deserved or the friend and church volunteer I ought to be." But with God's Word she realized that she wasn't perfect, but she was loved; that her life wouldn't start once she got it right -- she was in the midst of it today.

The more she leaned on God, the more he molded her into the woman she was meant to be. It wasn't always easy or fun, but it was more rewarding and adventuresome than she could have imagined. In one of the most honest and authentic books I've read, Tricia helps all mothers learn that God's gentle kneading, or even those times when he smashes us flat as a pancake, will result in undeniable proof of his love.

While reading this book I felt that Tricia had reached into my soul, found my insecurities, doubts, and fears, and bared them in a way that allowed me to accept God's prodding.

I'm not a parent, and I've never read Tricia Goyer before, so I wasn't sure I was going to like this one. But I ended up really liking it.

The book jumps a bit, she'll make her point and then jump to a story that relates to what she's trying to say. I think it takes a very skilled writer to jump around like that, and to not loose the reader, and Tricia does it perfectly. The "jumps" are used as background and they were almost all quite humorous.

I liked her writing style, she doesn't use much description at all and somehow you can see her stories come to life. She writes in a relatable way, even if we've never been in these situations we can imagine what it would be like to be there.

In addition to being a book about parenting, it is also a book about letting God into your life and being able to make time for him and his plan for you. While just about all her stories relate to her church, her relationship with God, or her families ministry work this book was not preachy or pushy. Tricia tells about her struggles in her relationship with God, and how she deals with them.

I think this was a very well written book and I'm glad I got to read it. I really liked the humor and the way she tells a story. I already recommended this one to my little sister (who doesn't have children either) simply because it was a good book. And if you are a parent struggling with raising kids, maintaining your relationship with God, and all the other responsibilities you have I would recommend this one for you. Well, really I'd recommend this one even if none of the above apply to you. The wit and humor is enough to make this enjoyable even if her message doesn't necessarily apply to you.

Blue Like Play Dough
The Shape of Motherhood in the grip of God
Tricia Goyer
2009
Multnomah
Non-fiction/Christian Living/Parenting

Tricia Goyer has brought us her story, her story of being an unwed mother, who later married, and raising her three children, her story of her fears and insecurities, and her story of how God ministered to her, through her and molded her just like play dough.
A busy homeschooling mom of three children, a writer, a volunteer at church and with a crisis pregnancy center Tricia often found herself overwhelmed, overworked and overloaded. She learned that relief from all the stress of all her many hats she wore came through her relationship with God. When she slowed down and made time for God, God made time for all the other things to be accomplished.
Laugh, cry, snort, and feel sympathy pains as she shares experiences through her lessons, and her examples and life stories. Feel the pain, as she deals with aging grandparents and the loss of her grandfather, relish in the joy of a trip to Disney World with grandma, and learn the joys of taking life one day, one step and one event at a time. A wonderfully written book, Tricia has shared her heart with us, through the pages of Blue Like Play dough, it was a fascinating read, that I could not put down until I finished it. 197 pages [...]

Need a real life dose of realism in a humorous way? Trisha takes the life that we live as mothers and talks about how life really is and how often we feel like we are smoothed by the normal push of mothering. Life is messy! Trisha is very transparent in this book, using real names and all...since I live in the same area as her, I realized how this is a somewhat autobiographical book of real dose of reality. She talks about the tough things, abortion, dealing with parenting as a teen, parenting teens, parenting toddlers, marriage issues, housecleaning all in a way where you feel like you sat down to a cup of coffee or tea with a friend and she shared her story with you. Check out the above paragraphs for when you buy the book. It is a great little book that I think any mother will enjoy! You will find yourself challenged and encouraged as well chuckling as you relate to her mothering exploits.

Somewhere deep inside of us most mothers realize we aren't the only imperfect moms on the face of the planet. Maybe there are others who leave dishes undone in order to cuddle little ones, who snap, who struggle, who wonder if there's more than this. Even while we suspect this to be the truth, there's this niggling doubt that everyone does a better job, and that somehow we're failing. As I read celebrated author Tricia Goyer's breezy spiritual reflections on motherhood - Blue Like Play Dough -- I felt like I was sitting down and sharing from the heart with a bosom friend, one who seeks God's best for her family, while still struggling through the molding process of motherhood.

From these early words in the opening chapter, I knew I was in for a treat.

"It's not as if God says, `I was going to visit you today, but I think I'll wait until you balance that checkbook, clean out your fridge, and start that Bible study you've been meaning to get around to.' God's not like that. He walked with dirty, smelly shepherds and hung out with jailed prophets, so I don't think my waist-high laundry pile is going to scare Him off."

It was only a few pages in when I discovered a gentle smile on my face as I read, nodding, laughing, and crying. Goyer draws out the transcendent beauty found in the trails of motherhood as God uses our parenting journey to sanctify us, change us, and make us look more like Jesus. Drawing deeply from her well of personal failings, shortcomings, and challenges, Goyer opens her heart with a deep, careful vulnerability in order to explore how the trials of motherhood have demonstrated God's goodness, and drawn her closer to Him.

Tactfully sharing her struggles to launch her career as a writer, her doubts and angst as a new homeschooling mother, her reluctance to support her husband in ministry, and many other struggles, Goyer writes gently, authentically. I related so much to both her challenges and the ways that God patiently worked in her life.

Likening herself to a piece of play dough in her maker's hands she relates the poundings, squeezing, and stretching she's undergone in God's ongoing efforts to shape her into the woman He wants her to be. Now the mother of three teenagers, Tricia relates current events from her life, as well as reflecting upon events from her teen pregnancy, life as a young single mother, early childhood, and everything in between. Served up in a random series of reflections, each assures us that God loves us deeply despite our imperfections, and is working out His good in our lives.

Readers of Blue Like Play Dough will surely find encouragement in their walk as a mother in Goyer's text; entering into her world is like being wrapped in a warm, reassuring hug. Readers of Goyer's novels and parenting titles will be held captive by glimpses into her life as she shares her journey into publication and its impact upon her family. Truly, after reading Blue Like Play Dough I feel as though I know her heart, and some small part of her. Her gift as an encourager oozes from each page; this latest release is deeply satisfying.

I never thought I could meet God here. In my home. In my mess. In the midst of my ordinary suburban life. To me, God was someone you met at church or connected with at weekly Bible study. I knew deep down it was possible to have mountaintop moments, but I believe they came during week long spiritual retreats, hour long morning Quiet Times, and a once-a -year women's conference.


That is the opening of Tricia Goyers new book called Blue like Play Dough.

She talks about trying to read Bibles while "Dora's" on and solitude is hard to come by.

Tricia has been there. She knows her mommyhood and understands what we mommy's go through.

I was sucked into the vortex of this book and couldn't put it down. Tricia has been there, done that and lived to tell with a wonderful outlook that should encourage us. It gives me that warm fuzzy feeling (and not b/c it's fluffy but b/c it contains great topics and depth of someone who knows what I'm going through.)

Having read several of her previous books I was delightfully surprised by her openness in this book and how I felt like I was chatting with a friend (even though I wasn't talking!). I laughed in one breath and was teared up in the next. I think when a lot of us look at "big names" and think we have so far to go, it's so nice to see they learn just like the rest of us and that makes me more interested in what they have to say.

Thanks for an excellent read Tricia!

Filled with Tricia Goyer gems, Blue Like Play Dough encourages mothers to turn to God and trust Him through every poke and pull as He stretches you and shapes you into a woman who serves God, her family, her community, and the world.

Tricia's honest portrayal of motherhood will touch the hearts of moms of all ages. Desiring to raise perfect children, each one of us fails. Why? Because, like play dough, we're messy. As Tricia puts it so well, "I'm a mess that I let God get a hold of.... I've done many things wrong, but I do one thing right. When I'm uncertain, I seek God. And I fill up with His love in order to pour it out."

Blue Like Play Dough gives hope to moms that "Sometimes the things you think will do you under are the very things that show you God is real. The very things that show your kids He's real too."

An amazing memoir interlaced with sound teaching. Highly recommended for all women. Grab your highlighter--you'll want to remember some of Goyer's gems.

Elaine W. Miller
Author: Splashes of Serenity: Bathtime Reflections for Drained Moms
Splashes of Serenity: Bathtime Reflections for Drained Wives

Tricia Goyer is an amazing writer. At age 36, she writes with a voice of experience, eloquence, and insight far beyond her years. But, then again, she had to become an adult much sooner than most.

In her latest nonfiction book, Blue Like Play Dough, Goyer shares the joys and sorrows of her life: being an unwed mother at age 17, homeschooling three children, watching a family member die, and juggling her family, writing and ministry (successfully!) while living in a home with three generations and an exchange student (again, successfully!).

Through it all, Goyer shares how God has used the events in her life, even those that seem insignificant at the time, to shape her life, like play dough, into a vessel fit for His service. This was a wonderful book that I devoured in one sitting.

On a personal note, it will soon be one year since my daddy went to Heaven and I haven't really cried about losing him. Goyer's account of her grandfather's home-going, was so much like what Daddy experienced that I wept aloud as I read it.

Young mothers take note: you willl survive your children's babyhood, childhood and terrifying teens with your sanity intact IF you lean on the One who created you for this purpose. Read this book for an encouraging and uplifting look at one woman's journey through "motherhood in the grip of God."

Tricia Goyer's Blue Like Play Dough: The Shape of Motherhood in the Grip of God is truly a lovely book, and it's easily the most encouraging, refreshing book I've read all year.

The book's title is a playful nod to Donald Miller's popular book Blue Like Jazz. Like Miller, Tricia writes conversationally with humor and candor about her faith journey. From Blue Like Play Dough's Prologue:

"In each of our lives, there is molding and shaping to be done. Perhaps I needed more work than most, but as I look back on my life, I realize that if there is one thing that all the stretching and poking and smashing has taught me, it's that I never want to be anywhere but in the grip of God."

Tricia likens mothers to lumps of play dough and shares how God molds, shapes, and stretches us to be vessels he can use. She successfully carries this metaphor throughout the book to connect the personal stories and vignettes about her life. She tells about being a teen mom after previously having an abortion and later how God used these personal experiences to enable her to start a pregnancy resource center. She shares about the everyday events and joys of motherhood and about her struggles to remain in God's hands and allow him to shape her and use her in areas where she didn't want to go. She also covers the fear and uncertainty of trusting God to shape and stretch her children. Most of all, Tricia's story tenderly, honestly shows the hand of her loving Father working in her life.

The book is a good reminder of how God works in spite of and through our mistakes and imperfections. Seeing the molding process in this light is especially important when you're going through seasons where it feels you're being pounded and stretched and would prefer to be left alone in your current shape.

You might find yourself thinking your best friend is sharing with you, as you read through this book, Blue Like Play Dough: The Shape of Motherhood in the Grip of God by Tricia Goyer. This book is a gift filled with raw honesty, laughter and encouragement as this mom shares her ups and downs, failures and triumphs as she allows God to continue to mold her . . . like play dough.

It's so easy for us moms to think we are not doing enough, spending enough time with God, our children and husband. I loved the way she put this:

" . . . the most devoted people are moms who whisper prayers for their neighbor, their friend or brother (who's messing up yet again) while watching their children play in the sandbox. Moms who try to read their Bibles while Dora the Explorer is on the TV . . . Moms who stop to talk with an elderly man at the grocery store about the creamed corn, not because they even like creamed corn, but because they want to show a lonely person the love of Jesus."

The author, also a homeschool mom of three children, who also took care of her grandmother and an exchange student in her home, shared about the struggles of keeping up with her home.

"It's not as if God says, `I was going to visit you today, but I think I'll wait until you balance that checkbook, clean out your fridge, and start that Bible study you've been meaning to get around to.' God's not like that. He walked with dirty, smelly shepherds and hung out with jailed prophets, so I don't think my waist-high laundry pile is going to scare Him off."

The author's life has not been one of ease. She shares about her early teenage years, being pregnant her senior year of highschool, with big dreams that did not include this. I loved her thoughts on homeschooling. Many of my friends say they could never do it. She said so too:

"I used to have an idea of what homeschooling moms were like - until I became one. While I admired that lifestyle, it was so not me . . . I'm more likely to drive through Starbucks than to press fresh carrot juice. I watch Heroes with my kids and spend more time surfing the web than weeding an organic garden . . . Whenever anyone asked me whether I'd be homeschooling our kids, I laughed at the idea."

BUT. . .

"My decision to homeschool was a conscious choice to give my children time. Time to learn, time to grow up together. Little did I know how much the time would teach me. Little did I know how much God would draw my heart to His in the process."

Sometimes as moms we worry about the traumas our children go through. We want to put that protective fence around them, or wrap them in bubble wrap. Tricia also tells the story of taking her grandfather into her home as he is dying, yet concerned about her children witnessing this. You will be touched by the lessons the whole family learned, and the yearn for heaven even by the youngest.

"The hard stuff isn't easy. And seeing God mold our kids often hurts even more than feeling His hand on us. But it's also through the hard stuff that we see God in different ways. We discover an element of His goodness that had before been unknown. Undiscovered."

"Often God works with us, shaping us with situations and people who we don't think we're prepared to handle. Yet we handle them because He doesn't leave us alone to deal with them. Instead, He holds us and molds us as we hold and care for those who need to feel a loving touch."

Like Play Dough: The Shape of Motherhood in the Grip of God is a book for moms of all ages and highly recommended. This 195 paged book is easy reading and would also make a great gift for a mom, even a wonderful baby shower gift!