There is nothing that fascinates me more than when someone is willing to share their story with vulnerability, grace & humility. Alexandra Kuykendall's memoir, 'The Artist's Daughter", challenged me in so many ways and impressed me with the candid approach she takes while sharing her journey. I found myself gripped to her story, relating in so many ways. We each had vastly different backgrounds, and yet I felt as if she was confessing some of my own insecurities and challenges.
Kuykendall honestly shares the journey of growing up without a father and how that impacts her stages in life: childhood, marriage & motherhood. Throughout the book, she tackles three life-defining questions: Am I lovable? Am I loved? Am I loving? Despite having a different background than the author, I believe her struggles can resonate with many women. From battles with perfectionism to a recognition that marriage, motherhood or a career will not bring us perfect satisfaction, she traces through the struggles and focuses on grace, trust & faith.
MOPS International has chosen this as their 2013 theme book and I am so excited for it to be in the hands of so many mothers. She shares stories from leading her own MOPS group and shares milestones, joys & heartaches with those women. Moms will find this book encouraging & challenging. Throughout the book, I found myself shaking my head in agreement, as if to say, "oh! Someone else struggled with this?" And perhaps my favorite part is her journey in her prayer life---the challenge of switching from prayers focused on asking God to change her circumstances to a focus on asking God to change her.
The end of this book comes with a list of prepared discussion questions that would greatly benefit a book club, mom's group or even for personal self reflection.
**I was given this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review**
Available May 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
