Almost Holy Mama: Life-Giving Spiritual Practices for Weary Parents

by Courtney Ellis

With the honesty of a close friend, the hilarity of a late-night comic, and the humility of a mom up to her eyeballs in diapers and dishes, Courtney Ellis invites us on a journey to draw closer God amid the joyful, mundane, exhausting days of young parenthood. Probing ancient Christian practices for renewal, Almost Holy Mama chronicles one mom's quest to discover an answer to her most pressing question: Can God use the challenges of parenthood to grow your character?

You long to spend time with God and catch your spiritual breath, but you find yourself honestly wondering--how and when? Ellis gets its. It's hard to carve out space for a quiet moment with God, let alone a quiet time! Instead of adding more tasks to your plate, Almost Holy Mama will help you integrate your spiritual practices into your daily life. From studying Scripture in the shower to listening in prayer at the foot of Laundry Mountain, Ellis finds that meeting God in sacred disciplines can breathe new life into one of life's most joy-filled and trying seasons.

Paperback, 256 pages, 5.5 x 8.5 inches, ISBN 9781628627909.

Table of Contents:
Running on Empty, Longing for More Car Rides & Contemplation: Finding Jesus on the Freeways Sleepytime & Service: Sacrificial Love at the End of a Long Day Eating & the Examen: Finding God at the Dinner Table Laundry & Listening Prayer: Because Sometimes the Voice of God Sounds a Lot like the Dryer Showering with Scripture: Wash over Me, Lord Fasting from Facebook: Giving Up to Gain Suffering & Stillness: Because Sometimes All You Can Do Is Nothing Getting Ready with Gratitude: Thanksgiving amid Chaos Travel & Pilgrimage: Going Away and Coming Home Ceasing & Celebration: Discovering the Playful God Almost Holy, Fully Loved: Where Do We Go from Here? Perfect for:
Parents Gifts for expecting parents Single mother/father groups Foster parents and guardians Pastors and counselors And more About the Author Courtney Ellis serves as associate pastor for spiritual formation and mission at Presbyterian Church of the Master. She holds degrees from Wheaton College, Loyola University of Chicago, and Princeton Theological Seminary, and has been published in Marriage/Partnership, Rock & Ice Magazine, and Christianity Today Women. She's a contributor at The Glorious Table and The Mighty. Courtney is a sought-after speaker for leadership and women's retreats, MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), and young adult ministries. She's a gifted storyteller with strengths in bringing parents, marrieds, singles, and millennials together. Courtney lives in southern California with her husband (and co-pastor) Daryl and their children.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Religion, Audiobook

256 pages, Paperback

Published June 3, 2019

About the author

Author, speaker, and mom of three, Courtney Ellis serves alongside her husband as a pastor in southern California. Born in the northern woods of Wisconsin, she graduated from Wheaton College, Loyola U of Chicago, and Princeton Theological Seminary. Her books include "Uncluttered: Free Your Space, Free Your Schedule, Free Your Soul," "Almost Holy Mama," and "Happy Now: Let Playfulness Lift Your Load and Renew Your Spirit."

Courtney's passions are to find freedom through practicing Christian simplicity, to give and receive hospitality, to play continually, and to live missionally while inviting others to do the same. She also loves candy and hates being told by her dentist that she should eat less candy.

Courtney's words have been featured in Fathom, Christianity Today, MOPS International, (in)courage, The Glorious Table, Huffington Post, The Mighty, Two Peas in a Podcast, Woven, More Than This, and more.

Find Courtney:

* Blog: www.courtneybellis.com
* Twitter: @courtneyellis
* Facebook: authorcourtneybellis
* Instagram: courtney_ellis_ellis

Reviews

[Jen Alward · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "Almost Holy Mama," Courtney examines several spiritual disciplines and shares her year long journey of attaching them to the regular, ordinary, daily activities of motherhood. You’ll laugh out loud while being challenged, encouraged and inspired to look for God where He’s always been—right here, in the mess of traffic and chaos of toddlers, the piles of laundry and the exhausted tears…in our typical, day-to-day life, waiting for us to discover Him and all He has to offer us.
-Jen Alward, author of Hope and Healing at Home

[Julia W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Almost Holy Mama by Julia W. Belcher

I’ve read Almost Holy Mama, and I am beginning to put some of her suggestions into practice, adapting her kiddiefull life-style into my 80+ life-style. We’re never too old to learn new ways to spend time with our wonderful God.

I’ve read Ellis’s Uncluttered to a friend who is chair-bound by M. S., and she absolutely loved every word. We are so ready to enjoy Almost Holy Mama together.

This is just a reminder that Ellis writes very engaging books that spur one to godliness whether or not you can unclutter and whether or not you have small children.

[Britta W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been struggling for a while with the practical question of how to be a disciple of Christ AND a mom, wife, etc. What does that look like? Is there time for both? Courtney Ellis gets it; she's in the trenches with toddlers every day, and asking the same questions. This book follows her journey as she weaves spiritual disciplines into her daily routines. She shares with honesty and humor her many ups and downs, what works for her, what doesn't, and ultimately how she has grown closer to God through the experience. I recommend this book!

[LInda Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courtney is a “real life” Mom, Pastor, and Author. Her latest book “Almost Holy Mama” is written from her heart full of wisdom and experiences that God has given her and her family. Love how we can “Join her Journey” by reading scriptures and making these spiritual practices fit into our everyday lives! My favorite quote is “We are adored because God created us and loves us enough to breathe life into us again and again, to make us and remake us in His image”!!!

[Katie Nix · Rating 5 out of 5]

FINALLY! A book that recognizes that I'm too tired and too busy to be a perfect momma much less a perfect Christian. Courtney once again knocks it out of the park with this humorous, honest, and helpful work on how to find Jesus in the midst of poopy diapers, snack time, and the realities of parenting. I'm going to buy a copy for every parent in my church!

[Jenn Whitmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Courtney Ellis captures the intensity of early motherhood and beauty of a life with God in this diary-style book. Full of digestible nuggets of deep truths, I found myself laughing and crying, even as a mama of older kiddos! The spiritual disciplines are all practical and full of life, fitting in with the lives we lead as parents and followers of Jesus. Don't let the bottle on the cover dissuade you. I highly recommend this authentic book for anyone wanting to see God more in their everyday lives.

[Kassy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, some practical & very doable habits to bring Jesus into the chaos of motherhood. Courtney’s ideas have transformed my most menial tasks, especially driving and laundry, into opportunities to sit in His presence. I particularly loved the chapter on Eating & The Examen as it has been an impactful tool in helping my adolescent children open up about their struggles, desires, and high points of their daily lives. This book gets all.the.stars!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Christian woman, I’m fully aware of the importance of spiritual disciplines in my life. But, I also know the constant feeling of discouragement, as a busy and tired mom, when I try to practice them in everyday life. There never seems to be time to do them “right” so I often just don’t do them at all. It’s a vicious cycle. But, as Courtney explains, Jesus knows where we are and wants to meet us there anyways. In a witty and winsome way, she encourages all of us to find Jesus in the ordinary. We can do laundry AND pray. We can run carpool AND contemplate the presence of Jesus. Courtney, through her humorous real life examples, shows us how to invite Jesus into our everyday.

[Megan Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courtney embarks on a journey to integrate spiritual practices into the everyday life of parenting. She tackles contemplation, service, the examen, listening prayer, scripture meditation, fasting, stillness, gratitude, pilgrimage, and celebration, honestly sharing her failures, successes, and lessons. She helps us see that even in the midst of parenthood it is possible to draw closer to Jesus with intentionality. Very encouraging and inspiring!

[Kjersten · Rating 5 out of 5]

”Almost Holy Mama” offers practical ways to engage in spiritual practices while parenting young children, in a way that is wise, honest, and entertaining. Written like a journal, Courtney breaks down the practices she engages in month by month, details how she incorporates them into daily life as a busy parent of two, and then three, young children, and honestly conveys when they are working and when things take don’t go according to plan (like when the author’s 4 year old used the daily examen to pray for theme park tickets). Funny and real, Courtney demonstrates how to faithfully engage in spiritual practices in the season of parenthood, and how the intertwined journeys of following Jesus and parenting are to be taken one faithful step at a time.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is for 21st century moms like me with a deep longing to know and love God and to live out real-life faithfulness despite the busy/crazy/fatiguing life of parenthood. Courtney's voice draws me in from the very start. I love her lead-ins, I love her tone. The funny bits keep it real, and the depth of intention and purpose make it worthwhile. Let's be honest, I'm an Enneagram 1 and I need my reading to be productive. (Ahem—still working on that striving thing.) She’s funny and sincere. She weaves personal stories and practical resources to help modern moms nurture a deeper spiritual life, and she doesn't live in la-la-land. I'm personally grateful for this book and recommend it to fellow spiritually earnest parents.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courtney Ellis doesn't disappoint in her second book! This is the perfect book for anyone who is tired but still craving more of Jesus in their life. As always, Courtney writes in a way that is relatable, motivates, and will make you laugh!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just the breath of fresh air my soul needed. Even though I am far beyond the parenting stages Courtney finds herself in, the principles and practices she teaches us in this book are still just as necessary and applicable to my life. Courtney doesn’t load us up with a list of “should’s”. Her authenticity is inviting, and her winsome honesty gives us permission to fail. At the same time, she invites us into life-giving practices that transform our hearts and re-align them with our Father’s heart. I serve in leadership on a missionary team with a lot of young families. Many of our young moms are struggling to raise thriving children in a culture foreign to them, while serving alongside their husbands in ministry. These practical suggestions are possible, and do-able, and transformational! We all need to be reminded of the grace that is ours…even on the hard and challenging days when we feel like we have failed. Courtney doesn’t give easy answers, rather, she offers us what Jesus gave to her when she sought the Giver, not the gift; blessed truth. I will definitely be recommending this book not only to the young moms I am mentoring, but to allthepeople!

[Elizabeth Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can’t wait until your kids are grown to nurture your soul or your relationship with God. Or as author Courtney Ellis puts it, “Spiritual practices protect us from one of life’s greatest tragedies — living the daily grind as if God wasn’t there.”

This book aims to introduce some spiritual disciplines into the life of the bone-tired busy parent. The author tried out several disciplines and reflects on her experience from her own perspective as a working mom (pastor) of two tiny tots, who at the time was also enduring a difficult pregnancy.

My own kids are older (teens), and I found that her observations really resonated with me despite the different parenting stages. I never feel like I have enough time in the day, and this book helped me imagine how I might incorporate some spirituality in the space that is there. The key is not to insist on a separate alone time of complete solitude; that’s a pipe dream. Instead, consider Jesus while doing the things you are already doing: Driving. Showering. LAUNDRY.

Courtney Ellis’s writing is an absolute breeze to read. It’s friendly and down to earth in tone, and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. (She talked about bribing her boys with a doughnut in church if they would “just please sit quietly in the pew for an hour without flopping around like a trout.” Ha! – who hasn’t been there?)

At the same time, she can lay down some truths that really made me stop and think. Like “Sometimes the voice of God and the voice of self-care and the voice of a kind husband are one and the same.”

Highly recommend!

[Kelly Lofthouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of my discussions around spirituality include something about spiritual practices being difficult to engage with as a parent of a toddler - then I found this book! I read it hungrily, hoping to find practical tools to help me deepen my spiritual life in the exhausting stage of parenting a 2 year-old. What I found was the story of a parent, Courtney, trying, succeeding, failing, and trying again to engage in spiritual practices and deepen her relationship with God. There are no fail-safe tricks offered here, but an honest reflection about the joys and struggles she faces when incorporating different spiritual practices into her life. That is not to say it is not immensely helpful in practical starting points and tips to help you along your own spiritual journey--there are loads! It is, however, a healing balm to hear Courtney's story and how the failures are part and parcel of strengthening our spiritual life and building our relationship with God, I laughed. I cried. I prayed. I was inspired. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to deepen their spiritual life--most especially parents of young children. It was a complete joy to read.

[Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review
Almost Holy Mamma

As a father whose youngest just turned 20, I wasn't sure this book would hold much for me. I was wrong - this book is great! Courtney brings pragmatic application of ancient Christian spiritual practices into real everyday (busy) life. Too busy to do one more thing? Good news - Courtney points out “It’s one of the paradoxes of the Christian life that often what God wants from us is not for us to be on the move doing things for him. It’s for us to be with him, accepting from his hand what he has chosen for us, and allowing him to shape and form us so we will be prepared for the next action he will ask of us.”

[Heather Gerwing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't let the baby bottle fool you. This book is for parents of all ages and stages. Courtney's journey through the spiritual disciplines is refreshing and thought-provoking. Her diary of successes and failures is encouraged and challenged me in the best ways.

[Kelly Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could put one book in the hands of moms, this would be it. Each chapter addresses a different spiritual discipline, giving busy and tired mamas ideas on how to practically practice them. It feels like the kind of book to read one chapter per month, but I couldn't put it down. Courtney’s engaging and relatable writing always draws me in, so I couldn’t pace myself. She shares her own struggles candidly and highlights her successes with a “you can do it” humility. It’s easy to feel less-than or incapable when reading a book centered on spiritual disciplines. I never felt like that as I turned the pages of Almost Holy Mama.

[Mary Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courtney Ellis' new book deserves a larger readership than the title might suggest. True, she has drawn upon her own exhausting, exhilarating, often amusing experience as a mother of three young children. But the point she is illustrating is that all of us, no matter how busy, can find ways to incorporate spiritual discipline into our lives. One by one, she examines traditional spiritual practices and records her experience at following them each for a month: contemplation while driving the freeway, listening prayer while folding laundry, meditating on scripture while showering (with the help of Bible verses written in Sharpie on the shower wall!), and so on.

Her deeply personal sharing is backed up by pertinent quotes from a wide range of Christian thinkers. So the reader feels that she is simultaneously chatting with a friend and being gently educated. Each chapter ends with a list of appropriate scripture for further thought and inspiration.

So, if you are a "mama," you should definitely read this book, and even if you are not in that stage of life you should give it a try.

[Heike Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

With humor, wit and humility, Courtney delivers once again in 'Almost Holy Mama.' Like many mothers, I struggle to find Jesus in the everyday mundane moments of motherhood. Courtney's book offers a fresh perspective and challenges the reader to find Jesus in the everyday routines of laundry, bath-time, and beyond. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to incorporate more spiritual disciplines into their lives. Courtney's book will leave you encouraged, motivated, and ultimately closer to Jesus.

[Paul Belcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courtney Ellis has delivered again. I read her first book, "Uncluttered" and loved it, and now that I have read "Almost Holy Mama", Courtney has converted me into a huge fan of her writing style. Even though I am a grandfather, and this would not seem like the sweet spot of my reading genre, I love the way that Courtney Ellis' writing is fresh, challenging, laugh out loud funny, and spiritually relevant, all at the same time.
This book helped remind me of the challenges that my daughters are facing as they raise their families in todays world. At this point, I will look forward to reading anything that Courtney Ellis writes, as I find her writing so uplifting and relevant.

[Jessica Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mamas will be inspired by Courtney Ellis’ transparency as she tries to traverse motherhood while trying to keep up a relationship with Jesus. It is written in short (yay, mamas) chapters that read like a conversation with a friend. It gives hope without being preachy and provides practical ways to incorporate spiritual disciplines into mommy life (ex. Memorizing scripture and praying). It was an honor to receive and read it before it was released.

[Valerie Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading Courtney Ellis's newest book, Almost Holy Mama: Life-Giving Spiritual Practices for Weary Parents. It is an engaging and enjoyable read with an encouraging message, not only for parents of young ones, but for anyone that is challenged with too much to do and not enough time to do it. Author, Courtney Ellis, invites us to follow her year long journey to creatively and practically infuse spiritual practices into her busy life as a mother, author, and pastor. Ellis shares her experiences in the same honest, humorous, and humble writing style that I came to love in her first book, Uncluttered, released earlier this year. One of my favorite quotes come from a lesson on grace in her chapter on contemplation. “It’s almost as if success isn’t the point—returning is. The structure, the rhythm, the grace of the disciplines is that they remain even when we are inconstant and unsteady.” Courtney captures some serious ancient practices and shares them in a relatable way that makes one willing to try them anew.

[Marvia Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spiritual disciplines, parenthood, and splashes of real life humor make Courtney Ellis’s book well worth the read. It’s relevant even if you aren’t a parent. We all have hustle bustle life stuff that can get in the way of how we want to walk out faith. Courtney shares her real-talk struggles and triumphs in a way many of us can relate. Give this book a try. You might be pleasantly surprised. It made me think differently about spiritual practices with a focus on grace rather than perfection in the doing. Show up. Meet God no matter where or how you are. That is a message for all of us.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellis has done it again! With her humor, insight, and deep commitment to the life of faith, she challenges and encourages parents into deepening their spiritual practices...while pushing strollers and spooning applesauce.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only does Courtney share practical ways for moms to incorporate the disciplines into every-day life - she ALSO includes journal entries she wrote as she was learning to live out these disciplines! This is by far my favorite part about this book! She shares her insights, successes and failures along the way, all in a very witty and relatable style.

[Lisann D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost Holy Mamma is a must read!

The author is encouraging, knowledgeable, challenging, laugh out loud funny and so REAL!! I have been comforted and encouraged to know I am not alone in my struggles and daily failures of parenting and being a Christian in the world we live today. Courtney shares real life stories, real struggles and practical helps for daily life!

[Amanda Whippen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book! I am only a few chapters in and I can honestly say that I am enjoying this funny and candid read by author Courtney Ellis. Being a mama of three littles, the youngest being seven months and also a Postpartum nurse working nights, it is hard to say I am not either tired or busy every moment of the day. This book has provided both practical and enjoyable ways to find God in this crazy and sometimes chaotic journey we call motherhood. I strongly recommend this book to any parent who is searching for a deeper way to connect to their Heavenly Father while navigating the late-night feedings, mountains of dishes, stepped on Legos, and piles of mismatched socks. Ellis is sincere and genuine in her storytelling while integrating “life-giving spiritual practices”, which makes this book an incredible find!

[Inga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like any good wine or fine chocolate, it’s meant to be enjoyed, so start it now and linger a while!

Ellis maintains her voice and humor, familiar from her first book, “Uncluttered,” but shares from a more vulnerable place in “Almost Holy Mama.” What a relief when I read the line near the end of Chapter 2: “It was days like these, so back-breakingly exhausting that I could barely pour my own coffee...that I hated this spiritual disciplines experiment.” Whether you have kids at home or not (I don’t), that exhaustion is familiar, and this book is for all of us.

For all of us that want to be more holy, but sometimes really don’t. For all of us that feel like maybe there just isn’t time or space for one more thing. Start here.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courtney Ellis and I are not of the same faith, but she made me laugh and cry, and spoke to my heart in such a way that I believe we are spiritual sisters. As a priestess and mother myself, I thank her deeply for this work, and am lifted up by her honesty and faith. There are many practical suggestions here, and I look forward to employing them.