Small Talk, by Amy Julia Becker

As Bill Cosby said in one of his album titles, "Those of you with or without children, you'll understand." Amy Julia Becker is not a stand-up comedian, but parents and non-parents alike will enjoy her tales of raising three very different and sometimes challenging children.  In her book Small Talk: Learning from My Children About What Matters Most, Becker tells sweet, amusing, and heart-warming stories about her children.  But more importantly, she uses her experiences as a springboard to reflections on spiritual truth.

Like many parents, Becker quickly learned that children can be a gift, a blessing, and, sometimes, a prophetic presence.  "For a long time, I though my children were a distraction from the work God was doing in my life and in the world around me.  I am starting to realize they are the work God is doing in my life."  Becker is at her best when reflecting on how to communicate spiritual truths to her children.  When she attempts to communicate theological ideas, simplifying and and clarifying for her preschoolers, she turns the questions to herself, clarifying for herself what she really believes and why.

I especially enjoyed Becker's writing about her daughter Penny, who has Down syndrome.  When doctors discussed Down syndrome with her, it was always a list of "everything defective, disabled, and broken about" Penny.  But over time, she "went from thinking about her as my disabled daughter to my daughter, [she] started to realize she was no more broken than anyone else. . . . Some of what I had assumed was evidence of brokenness--a lower IQ than a typical child, a longer time learning to walk--was simply evidence that she, too, is a human being dependent on others to grow and enjoy the world."

Small Talk has quite a bit more spiritual depth and thoughtfulness than you would normally expect from this sort of book.  Her reflections are not just for moms or parents, but for any Christian who struggles with how to relate to God and the work of Jesus in our lives.  (And isn't that all of us at one time or another?)


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!