Sarah Jakes has done it again! According to her new book, Dear Mary, “Jakes explores biblical stories about Mary – as well as stories from her own life – to better understand what living for Christ can look like today and how to model that for you children.”
BMWK caught up with Sarah and get real about life and motherhood in this day and age.
BMWK: What inspired you to write Dear Mary?
Sarah: After a book tour, I realized that my kids had changed so much during the three months of the tour. Once I was back into my family’s everyday routine, I realized that I have a 12-year-old son, who is growing up very quickly, as well as a daughter who is five and dealing with social pressures in life.
At first, I thought that I was entering the easy part of motherhood, because what I’ve realized is that they are very self-sufficient. I also realized that having faith was going to help me understand how to protect my children, and guide them on their road to becoming adults. In Dear Mary,I share the joys and trials that many mothers face when striving to raise happy, whole children.
BMWK: What are you hoping people will get from this book?
Sarah: Within the book, I discuss Mary from a practical understanding, and I also go into detail on how mothers can learn to let their children grow and mature on their own.
I also discuss human nature issues that mothers deal with as their children continue to evolve and grow up, so I am hopeful that I am guiding those mothers who are feeling the same way I felt, before writing this book.
BMWK: What do you consider to be 3 of the most important lessons to be learned from this book?
Sarah: Mothers will:
- Learn that insecurities don’t disqualify them from being great mothers, but they’ve actually been better equipped to be passionate towards their children.
- Learn their faith will be the model in which their children build their own relationship with God.
- Learn that yesterday is behind them and they have the power to change their tomorrow for the better.
BMWK: How can a “Modern Mom” get around the feeling that these lessons may be “old fashioned?”
Sarah: As a modern mother, I was very intent on writing a book that was far from old fashioned. Wisdom is ageless, but it can be packaged in many relevant and relatable ways.
This book strives to take the wisdom from previous generations and make them applicable for the issues we face today.
BMWK: How do you think our beliefs affect our parenting?
Sarah: We are our children’s first teachers. Our beliefs will be the lens through which they come to view the world.
BMWK: What do you think Mary would say about today’s modern mom?
Sarah: I think Mary would say the modern mother has incredibly different challenges than what she faced, but they have determination and abundant access to resources that make them equipped to overcome the obstacles that lie ahead of them.
BMWK: How has researching and writing this book changed you as a modern mother?
Sarah: Researching for this book reminded me that times have changed, but that doesn’t make them better or easier. Mary was hiding her son from a death sentence at birth. She may have not had to check his twitter or FB, but she wandered during perilous times to protect him.
BMWK: How can husbands help their wives embrace some of the motherhood lessons in this book without judgment?
Sarah: In Dear Mary I speak about the unique roles fathers and mothers play when rearing children. I believe that husbands must first seek to understand the unique offering a mother brings to the family unit.
Avoiding harsh criticism is key to developing a partnership that seeks to build healthy children. Above all, making sure that they don’t become so consumed with grading her role that they fail to see their own areas of improvement.
BMWK: Is there a “Dear Joseph” in the works?
Sarah: I dare not try to understand the minds of men.
BMWK: Though you are married now, do you have a special message you would like to give to single moms?
Sarah: I’d encourage single mothers to not be discouraged by the notion of not having a traditional family. I was able to offer stability and happiness as a single mother that I could have never obtained had I stayed in my previous marriage.
Believe that you are fully equipped to nurture and protect your children through all the snares and pitfalls of life. Your children will see their family through your eyes make it a beautiful picture
BMWK, what are some other lessons we can learn from Mary about modern day motherhood?