A Place to Land: A Story of Longing and Belonging Paperback – March 9, 2018

I admit that I buy a lot of books - ALOT of books. But I start them, and never finish. That was not the case with this book. I was drawn in from page one and while I didn't finish the book in one sitting, I finished the book in a few days. I took it with me everywhere because I wanted to see "what comes next" in Kate Motaung's story. I cried with her during her visits with her mom who had cancer. I applauded her decisions to follow her heart. I saw devotion to her husband Kagiso and their love of their three children. Growing up in Michigan and settling in South Africa is intriguing to me. I wanted to read more and know more. The dialog was beautiful with descriptions of places and events that opened the windows to what Kate wanted readers to experience as she experienced them. Throughout the book, Kate chose the perfect passages of scripture to support her story. Every time a passage was woven into the paragraph, I thought, 'Yes. Yes, that one is just right for this moment." Many of the verses, prompted me to think about how my life might be affected and I had to write them down. While this book wasn't intended to be a text book, it taught me things from the textbook on life.

This review originally appeared on mlsgregg.com

Pass go, collect two hundred dollars and get this book.

Seriously. This is not one you want to miss.

I had the joy of “meeting” Kate Motaung several years ago when she took over as the Fearless Leader of the Five Minute Friday community. (She did not give herself this title. I did. I don’t remember why, but it’s stuck in my brain). We have chatted via Twitter, Voxer and blog comments. As I’m sure others can attest, Kate has the unique gift of making one feel at home; I don’t doubt that, were I to show up in her driveway today, that I would be welcomed inside for tea and good conversation.

This is part of what made this book so fascinating for me. Kate writes of being torn between houses following her parents’ divorce and between continents after moving to South Africa in her early twenties. Her story is one of longing for home, of never quite knowing where or what that place is. Out of that longing, I believe she strives to give others a sense of comfort and security. Even those of us who have only connected with her through electronic means pick up on this and celebrate her gift of welcoming embrace.

Ultimately, and encouragingly, Kate reminds both herself and the reader that our true Home, the place our souls ache for, is not to be found in this life. We get teases, little glimpses, that give us hope and keep us going when things get hard, but we never get the full picture. We have to wait. So we sit in the discomfort, knowing that all is not as it should be, asking Jesus to daily give us the grit and the grace to navigate yet another bump in the road.

The pages of A Place to Land are full of honesty and humor. Kate looks unflinchingly at herself and allows us to do so as well. In that, we are given permission to be that honest. To acknowledge that we don’t always know the answers or do the right things. Her choice to tell her story in such a raw way is deeply refreshing. There are no neat and tidy bows, no pristine images of perfect kids and conflict-free living. There is, instead, a woman who consistently, constantly, preaches Jesus. His presence, His love, His guidance, His help. Over and over again, Kate finds Him in the middle of the mess. She shows the reader how to reach out for His hand.

God took the tug-of-war that waged in my soul, the thick rope that spanned across the ocean, and yanked from both sides. He cut it clean through the middle, somewhere over the depths of the Atlantic. And He made me look up. To see that the greatest and strongest pull is neither east nor west, neither here nor there. It’s the heavenward pull.

It’s the pull toward home.

I now know how to respond the next time someone asks me the simple question, ‘Are you heading home?'” Regardless of my earthly destination, and purely because of the grace of Christ’s sacrifice, I’ll be able to answer with confidence, ‘Yes. Yes I am.'”

– p. 266-267

To that I can only say, “Amen.”

Thank you, Kate, for sharing your story with us. Thank you for the hours you spend leading the ragtag FMF troop. Thank you for being who you are. Usikelelke.

I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR MY FAIR AND HONEST REVIEW.

Kate Motaung’s debut memoir, A Place to Land, is both honest and bittersweet. In it, readers will find a poignant history of a young girl who became a mature woman rooted in the grace of God, even when she faced difficult life storms.

Motaung doesn’t shy away from speaking on the hard topics of family separation, difficult diagnoses, enduring heartache, and loss.

If anything, Kate encourages her readers to look beyond their circumstances to the God who resides in a place where we’re all really hoping to land: Eternity.

A Place to Land isn’t Motaung’s story alone. It’s the story of her mother, a woman of undeniable faith, who continues to love and serve her daughters and grandchildren well.

A Place to Land is a memoir of a teenage girl with many questions and fears. Who is God? Does God still love me when my heart doubts and questions? Will God be faithful?

A Place to Land is the story of a teenager who evolves into a woman of quiet fortitude and gentle strength…trying to understand some of humanity’s biggest questions when faced with life’s hardest moments: Why me, God? Why my own mother, God?

Deeply humane. Full of fragile moments. Honest and heartfelt.

A Place to Land doesn’t disappoint. It offers its readers a sacred reality, that no matter our plans, God’s grand scheme for our individual lives miraculously occurs, covered in deep grace.

Once I picked up Kate's book, I couldn't put it down. I wanted to travel with her on this journey between two continents and to "a place to land". Kate's gentle spirit and deep insights show through in her story. Drawing from the lessons learned in her own life, she helps the reader navigate the unexpected and celebrate the blessings. I've already shared this lovely memoir with a friend and plan to continue recommending it to others. "A Place to Land" is a journey worth taking.

Wow! Can't wait to share this book with friends. I read it in one sitting because the story was so compelling. The author pulls you into her life journey in an intimate way as if you were sitting with a friend over coffee. Not only was the writing style brilliant, it was filled with both authenticity and vulnerability. If you've ever wondered if/where you belong, felt alone, or experienced loss, (I think that's all of us!) you will find the words in this book are gifts of wisdom and hope to your soul. I'm already looking forward to going back and highlighting some biblical truths and insightful quips to spur me on in my own journey. No matter where you are or what your life circumstances are, this book offers encouragement and perspective. Hoping to see more from this author soon!