I’m not a huge fan of parenting books. Books are neat and organized. In my experience, family life is not – at all. Occasionally I pick one up because it comes recommended by someone I trust. My wife recommended Hearts and Minds by Kenneth Boa and John Alan Turner. I decided to at least scan it. My scan slowed to an attentive read as I began to see this book was not really about how to get my kids to be neat and well-behaved, but rather about following Jesus as a messy, sinful parent.

I downshifted to underlining and note-taking at the middle of page 30 when I read this:

When we are insecure in our identity as children of God, we waste time and energy trying to manage other people’s impressions of us. We spin things and manipulate the truth -ultimately at our own expense- because we so ...

• mattdonovan
• October 13, 2008
• Hearts and Minds
• Reply