Surprised by Motherhood is a deeply honest, tender, and hope-filled memoir by Lisa-Jo Baker that speaks to the heart of every woman who has ever wrestled with the idea of motherhood whether she longs for it, dreads it, or is living it every messy, glorious day. With poetic storytelling and raw vulnerability, Baker charts her unexpected journey from a young woman who never wanted to be a mother to one who discovers that motherhood is one of lifes most profound callings.
Lisa-Jos story begins in the shadows of grief. Having lost her own mother to cancer at the age of 18, she viewed motherhood with fear, skepticism, and a deep sense of personal inadequacy. She believed herself unsuited for the role, convinced that she could not become the kind of mother shed once had gentle, nurturing, present. Yet, when she found herself holding her first child, something shifted. And as she went on to have two more children, Lisa-Jo began to uncover a new, hard-won understanding of motherhood one that embraces both its sanctity and its struggle.
What makes Surprised by Motherhood stand out is its unflinching look at the everyday realities of parenting. Baker doesnt romanticize motherhood. She writes of sleepless nights, tantrums, exhaustion, and the quiet, invisible sacrifices that define a mothers days. Yet through each confession, there is also a profound sense of wonder that in the small, hidden moments, motherhood becomes a holy, refining work.
Rooted in faith, Lisa-Jos reflections are deeply encouraging for Christian women navigating their own motherhood journeys. She weaves Scripture, personal anecdotes, and hard-earned wisdom into a narrative that feels more like a letter from a trusted friend than a how-to manual. Her South African roots and international experiences add a unique global flavor to her story, while her vulnerability creates space for readers to confront their own fears, griefs, and joys related to parenting.
Ultimately, Surprised by Motherhood is a love story not just between a mother and her children, but between a woman and the God who meets her in the chaos, the ordinary, and the pain. Its a reminder that motherhood, though often unseen, is sacred ground and that grace finds us, even in the messiest places.
