She had requested Chinese food. Partly, I suspect, because it seemed like very grown-up kind of food. Perfect for our mother-daughter date. As we chatted away, I glanced in the rear-view mirror. I caught the bright excitement in her eyes, and the freckles splashed across her nose, as she beamed at me with anticipation. My heart constricted with the privilege and the responsibility I have as her mom to love and serve her well.
With my inadequacy welling up, I was, and continue to be desperately in need God’s help and His Spirit to guide me. My wisdom is not enough; I need His! I also need the benefit of His church and the wisdom found in learning from others! I am so grateful for other moms who have gone before me and have much to give. Trish Donohue, in her book Between Us Girls, has provided us with a rich resource. Not only does she offer much-needed insight, but she has created a wonderful context for this interaction.
The format of the book invites a relational approach to deep conversations together. It seeks to initiate and cultivate a sweet, honest, and humble relationship between mother and daughter. I love how she includes applications and questions that give moms opportunities to be open and vulnerable with our daughters. They can then see that we have the same struggles and need the same Savior and Biblical truths that they do! Trish also encourages daughters to share openly and honestly in a context that is safe in the gospel.
Reading this book is like sitting with a coffee across the table from Trish. She is winsome and humble, and also very clear in communicating theology. She has a knack for bringing deep Biblical truths to the table and unpacking them lovingly and reverently, applying them skillfully to the topic at hand. Trish manages to write in a way that is both accessible to a younger audience and yet provoking and effective for an older one as well. It could be easy to “teach” our daughters principles about life without truly helping them engage with the Word. Reading through the book challenged me afresh. Am I thinking Biblically about this? More piercingly, am I living as though I believe that? Between Us Girls is wonderful accountability, since I’m sitting next to my child who sees me up close and personal!
The structure of the book is refreshing and Scripture based. Each chapter covers a particular topic, all relevant for all of us, and there are four sections in each chapter. The first takes us to “The Garden,” which is God’s intention and good plan. The second section is called “The Weeds”--this is where sin crops up, marring God’s picture. Thirdly: "The Hill" where we see the cross in it’s saving and transforming power and how it applies to this topic. Lastly comes application, “The Field.” This section asks insightful and provoking questions to help us see ourselves rightly and also gives us ways we can grow and change. Each of these subjects is discussed in the context of Scripture and through the transforming lens of the gospel. How helpful for both of us!
I would highly recommend to any fellow mothers of daughters to dive into this book together. I am so looking forward to planning a special time to go through this book with my daughter. On our next Chinese food date, this book will be tucked in my purse!
Lory Payne is married to Jon Payne, the senior pastor of Redemption Hill Church in Round Rock, Texas and together they enjoy the daily delights of each of their four children. She is passionate about the gospel, the church and her family. She loves books, WWII history, chocolate, and guarding her back yard from stray cats.