Managed chaos. That鈥檚 how Rachel Gerber [MDiv ’05] describes parenting three young sons.
has recently published the alumna鈥檚 first book, a devotional memoir, . She also keeps a blog, , in which she explores the intersection of parenting, faith, and work. Gerber is head of youth ministries for .
鈥淚. Don鈥檛. Know. Anything,鈥� Gerber recalls thinking when she was handed her first son, Owen, in 2006. With a cursory introduction to where the diapers, onesies, and wipes were found in the hospital鈥檚 nursery bassinet, a nurse left Gerber and her husband, Shawn, on their own.
Ordinary Miracles uses the story of Jesus鈥� walk to Emmaus after his resurrection to help readers see incidents in their own family鈥檚 daily life and challenges as normal and instructional. As readers follow the dark days and disillusionment of the disciples after the death of Jesus, to the moment in which their 鈥渆yes are opened鈥� and they see Jesus in the ordinary breaking of bread, Gerber learns to discover the gifts and holy calling hidden in the events of harried family life.
鈥淚t has been a joy to learn from the often crazy and unpredictable and disorienting days that parenting young children can bring,鈥� says Gerber in reflecting on the book. 鈥淚n the most mundane and ordinary days of motherhood, and in moments of exhilaration, joy, and beauty, God is present.鈥�
Gerber works half-time as the Mennonite Church USA denominational minister of youth and young adults. She partners with the Youth Ministry Council, , and Mennonite Church USA convention planning staff on Christian formation and leadership development initiatives. She has also worked in ministerial positions for Mennonite congregations in Colorado and Indiana. Gerber has written curricula, devotionals, and articles for a variety of publications on a range of topics from spiritual formation to dramatic skits. She and her family live in Bloomington, Ind.
The book is available for $12.99 from . For more information, contact Melodie Davis at 540-574-4874 or MelodieD@mennomedia.org.