Chin Up: Wearing Grace, Strength, and Dignity When Motherhood Unravels Our Souls

by Amy Seiffert

Have you ever faced yourself in the mirror and wondered why motherhood fits like a glove on others but feels so graceless on you?

Everywhere Amy looked, motherhood looked beautiful on women. However, on her motherhood felt like a lopsided dress. Each time she tried to adjust it, she exposed another part of her she wanted covered.

Anger. Unfulfilled dreams. Brokenness.

Why couldn‘t she get motherhood to “fit“ on her? What was she doing wrong?

Amy, with humor and honesty, walks you through the grace and glory of motherhood in the mundane tasks and maddening moments of everyday life. Come along this journey as she unravels the mysteries of motherhood and the gifts to be found when we keep our Chin Up and see what God is doing through our motherhood.

Genres: Nonfiction

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 13, 2017

About the author

Amy has been writing, teaching, and speaking on staff with Cru for over 18 years and is currently the Director of Outward Movement at Brookside Church. She is married to Rob since 2001, and they live in Bowling Green, OH with their three children Robby, Olive, and Judah.

Amy pulls you in with her story telling and down-to-earth insights. Weaving Biblical wisdom through her presentations, Amy takes you for a ride and drops you off back home filled up with truth, love and hope. Relatable, funny, and a bit provocative, Amy has the uncanny ability to articulate what so many are thinking about in their daily lives. She inspires, teaches and humbly relates to the mystery and messiness of life.

Reviews

[Joellen Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy makes it a joy to read about her experience and her advice. She encourages from a place of humility and humor, turning us over and over again toward seeking God's view of our lives. This is a quick, refreshing, and perspective-altering book that every mom should read!

[Melissa Hemminger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a few years ago actually, but encourage all moms to check it out. I was initially excited to read this because the author, Amy, lives in BG and is well known in our community. I finished it in just two days; I hadn’t expected it to be so relatable! Amy uses humor and honesty to shed light on the the things we experience as moms (and women). The book felt like a conversation with friend; full of laughs and encouragement. I am happy to lend my copy to a friend!

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Motherhood is messy in so many ways: physically (birth and diapers just for starters!), but also emotionally and spiritually. There are quite a few books out these days about messy motherhood/ resisting perfectionism in motherhood, but Chin Up is the first I have read. I will say that just as a personal preference, Christian books that use trendy language and phrasing aren’t usually my favorites. However, after a few especially challenging months of motherhood, I really needed the honesty and truth Seiffert offers, and am so thankful for the friend who leant Chin Up to me (thanks Megan!).

*And thank you so much to Amy, if you see this, for your bravery in sharing something so personal, especially the passages about anger and depression. Your vulnerability helped me so much in a hard season!

Some favorite quotes to give a feel for the book!

“If motherhood was the creation of life, why did motherhood feel like it was sucking the life from me?
If the mother was the caretaker of the home, why did I feel like I could not stay in control of anything?
If God equips us for our callings, why did I feel so ill-equipped?” (page 3)

“I was given a gift of brokenness. I wasn’t enough. It was time to grab for God‘s grace and realize that as a mother, I am not the hinge to health and happiness for my children. I am not the anchor. I am not the root for their growth.
Their Creator and King is. He made them, has a plan for their growth, with its values and mountain tops, and He is the Holy Hinge of their lives.” (page 18)

“Our every day, ordinary, earthly lives mirror God’s work. We need to know that motherhood is deeply spiritual work. We may not be soaring in our strengths as we fold laundry, but we are doing a God-activity called ‘Maintaining and Sustaining.’” (page 26)

[Kylie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though I am not currently in the season of my life where this book is specifically applicable to having children and mothering them I feel it did a great deal to help prepare me. I've seen and observed the struggles of my own mother and have begun to have a taste of these things myself as I surround myself with children in my job. The book itself was a quick read (mercifully for those busy enough to talk themselves out of it) and while the author does blogging the style of the book was a perfect blend of approachable while still having continuity as a whole chapter to chapter.
Some of the elements of the books I loved where the constant use of scripture some of which I was unfamiliar with. Also the carefully selected quotes which spoke to me as well. In addition her combination of stories and truth in each chapter gave me a lot of pause in a good way. She also includes discussion questions and I think this would be a great book to study with a group. Oh and the book recommendations in the book haven't gone unnoticed either- they're all on my to-read shelves now.
I can't get enough of books by authors like Amy who want to speak truth in a way that isn't speaking over the head but directly to the heart. To encourage and inspire and not condemn and shame. Being Christian and living daily in God's truth can be hard and even more so as a mother, but this book definitely provided me some new insights and ways of thinking that made it well worth a read.

[Amy Kannel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an encouraging read. Amy's perspective resonated deeply with me. I don't think this is a mothering book that would be for everyone--it probably would not connect with the mom who is "living the dream" and finding everything she ever wanted in being a stay-at-home-mom--but I highly recommend it for the mom who, like me, has struggled with motherhood and wrestles with how to hold onto and pursue with excellence *both* the high calling of motherhood *and* other high and holy callings.

Amy finds this sweet spot on a spectrum between, say, Jen Hatmaker on one end and Rachel Jankovic on the other. More gospel than Hatmaker, and a far more winsome, humble, grace-filled and encouraging tone than Jankovic. Laid out in short, easily-accessible chapters for busy moms, Amy affirms the value and glory of the mundane tasks of motherhood and helps moms see how to connect with God in the midst of it. At the same time, she acknowledges the struggles of motherhood and validates the importance of outside dreams and giftings in addition to being a mom. It's like having coffee with a friend who's been there. She loves Jesus, she cares about you, and in your short time together, she'll make you laugh, point you to Jesus, and put a little wind back in your sails.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic! I'll start by saying I'm not a mom, but I still found it to be very relatable. I'm also not a Bible-carrying Christian either, yet I value the teachings of Christ and believe in the power of grace. Although this book is Christian and contains scripture, do not let that deter you from reading it. You may be surprised at how much the words will resonnate with you. I can say that I am a wife, and the chapter about dormant dreams and the give and take of a marriage struck me. "Life on the floor" also struck me. There are all kinds of things in life that we do, but don't prefer, whether we have children or not. Learning to embrace these lesser-preferred moments and finding the beauty in them is powerful and changing. Amy's advice to celebrate the Sabbath and rest once a week is also amazing. Overall, Amy is your girl next door. Your long-time friend. She speaks in a relatable, non-judgemental manner. She makes you feel heard and so not alone. I'm inspired by her ability to follow her dream and self-publish this gem of a book. Keep it up, Amy; we are all rooting for you!

[Diane Hidey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went to the same church as Amy when I lived in Ohio and was excited to see her devotion for Moms was available on Kindle Unlimited. This is a great devo for busy Moms and Amy has lots of sage wisdom —-mostly because of her honest trial and error in parenting and working. I loved her vulnerability, her humor and her deep love for Jesus. I know a few Moms who could benefit from this book. She offers advice on caring for yourself, how to manage a lot, how to share the load with your husband and how to be real. She has an uncanny ability to see things through the prism of God and isn’t afraid to learn from her stumbles. If you’ve got young kids, or plan to - you should get this one.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Amy’s book. Her writing style is just how I imagine it would be talking to her in real life.

I’m not a mom of little’s, in fact, I never was a mom to a little, because I adopted at 3.5. I’ve never been knee deep in diapers or sleeplessness. My mom-troubles are something incredibly different than the ones talked about in this book, but oh man, I needed to hear these words.

Thank you Amy for reminding me again that this motherhood thing is a gift that God has given me. That He is gently leading me, and that He gives me ALL the grace (because, DANG if I don’t need all the grace).

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars Well done, Amy! 👏🏻 Thanks for putting words to familiar feelings I have certainly experienced throughout motherhood. It was comforting to know that some of my exact thoughts and fears and shame and guilt have been lived out by another as well. We’re never alone in our feelings. Thanks for reminding us of All the Grace.

[Kayla Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I’ve slowly ingested and come back to time and time again over the last several years. I loved the style of the book, in that each chapter is it’s own unique story yet ties into the main narrative. I love Amy’s perspective on grace and what it’s like to wear it as a mother. Note: I read it on my kindle but would recommend a hardcover for this one.

[Malory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! Exactly what I needed to read in my current season of life. This is one to be read and re-read over again, savoring it and learning something new about God and yourself each time. Highly recommend to Mothers of all ages!

[Brandy Anderson-Monnin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book every mother should read. What clear perspective. A wonderful gift for any mom with little ones.