The Middle Matters: Why That (Extra)Ordinary Life Looks Really Good On You

The best-selling author of Never Unfriended opens up about midlife and what it feels like to have outgrown those teenage jeans, but finally grown into the shape of our souls.

Do you ever wonder how you woke up one day with all the responsibilities of a grown-up who secretly enjoys going to Costco, can no longer recognize the tween celebrities on the magazines at checkout, but is still surprised when a Starbucks Barista calls you "ma'am"--because your inside self is frozen in time from about twenty years ago? 

So does Lisa-Jo Baker. Welcome to the middle!

In these intimate reflections on midlife, Lisa-Jo Baker invites women to get a good look at their middles and gives permission to embrace them--beyond what the media, the mirror, the magazines, or our teenagers say. Through gutsy, beautiful storytelling, she admits out loud what most women are thinking about marriage, parenting, failure, and how badly we all want to buy those matching Magnolia Market mugs. Her delicious stories come from not being afraid of who she is (Your Age is Not a Dirty Word). Because she has finally grown comfortable in her own skin (The Scale is Not the Boss of You). She's not asking you to seize the day, just to make sure you actually see it; for all its wildly ordinary glory (Sobbing in my Minivan Over Honor Roll). Because Lisa-Jo knows that the middle might be the best part of the love story of life, muffin top included.


My Rating: 5 Stars

This was an awesome read! Unfortunately my "middle" kept getting in the way of my reading time so it took me a bit to finish it as I wanted time to chew on this one as I read it. I loved the chapters on Faith and Friendship and the parenting chapters were spot on. Lisa has masterfully crafted a read that reminds us of the beauty of our everyday lives and that every memory matters! The "middle" is an important part of our lives and I know I needed that reminder. I highly recommend this book!

This passage really struck me:
     I'm not the first one to stand desperate in a boat, desperately afraid of the storm, wondering why the heck Jesus is asleep on the job. Those first shaky disciples and I, we look out at the waves and the dark, angry clouds and we're so afraid of what's coming. We want to control it or outrun it or survive it. And all our faith is slipping through our fingers, and out boats are wobbly and our Savior is asleep.
    Jesus wasn't asleep because he didn't care.
    He was asleep because He wasn't afraid. 

I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.