The Invisible Woman: A Special Story for Mothers

I have bought several copies of this book to give for the purpose of providing a sense of peace to those women around me who feel invisible like me. The book does not resolve the problem of course but it has proven to provide a little outlet of respite and rest for those I have bought it for.

I have purchased this book at least 10 times. Everyone should read it but it should be required reading for mothers struggling to keep their head above water

This is one of my all-time favorite books. The ultra gifted author wrote a memorable story about being a mother, using the example of real life castles. I can't recommend it enough. Have given as a gift to countless friends - it's a life-changer if you are raising Littles and feel like what you're doing isn't even noticed.

Five stars; hands down. Her viewpoint on invisibility caused me to shift my own feelings about it, and see the positive side of it. The book was insightful, interesting in content, even informational. The stories are concise, and manageable, I carried it around in my purse and would read a page or so at a time. Because her writing is so interesting and clear, it's a quick read. When I first heard what she wrote, it was as if she was speaking for me. I did feel invisible.It is a "women's" issue, and book, for sure, but I think men would like it, too, and relate to it. It's so personal but it transcends itself to become a universal issue. It's a spiritual book, perhaps she is even Christian, but you won't feel she is pushing this on you, or her opinion. She speaks with love from her heart about her own experiences, thoughts, feelings, conclusions. In twelve step programs they call this ESH, and sharing oneself is limited to that, rather than being preachy or advice giving because it's so much more helpful. Do yourself a favor, for only a couple dollars, your life will be enriched by hearing her words and I'm sure you'll want to pass the book on. Very pretty gift book, too.

A really nice book to give any mom is The Invisible Woman, When Only God Sees by Nicole Johnson. This small sized book contains just three chapters, yet there is enough wisdom inside to last a lifetime. It's a great gift for a new mom, an experienced mom, or a cherished friend.The Invisible Woman, When Only God Sees is the written from the perspective of a well-educated mom who gave up her law career for her family and kids. Feeling unappreciated and a bit blue, she noticed her family treated her with invisibility. One day a friend grabbed her attention with a book called Great Cathedrals and a single sentence penned inside the book. The cathedrals inspired a new awareness of motherhood and the content of this beautiful book.Nicole Johnson is a gifted speaker for Women of Faith® conferences. She is the author of six books including Keeping a Princess Heart in a Not-so-Fairy-Tale-World, Fresh Brewed Life and a trilogy on faith.Favorite Quotes by Nicole Johnson * The more I do, the less they see. * You may feel invisible to the world but to God you are not invisible. * Women who feel invisible don't automatically see others. * Illuminate the sacrifices of others who are invisible to the world. * Somewhere along the way I managed to make God invisible in my life. * Heaven may be the greatest purpose on earth.

While at times well-written, even beautiful, this book falls far short of a well-developed ethic of motherhood. The author paints a picture of a woman with a husband and two sons--one a teenager, the other, age five. This woman has a law degree and, even though both her sons are in school every day, she stays at home and tends to the laundry, the cooking, the cleaning, and the dog. This obscurity, she comes to believe through a series of epiphanies concerning cathedrals, is her lot in life, ordained by God--a static thing out of which she cannot climb.This is nonsense. There is obscurity by a series of choices that one makes (or doesn't make.) And there is obscurity because of some series of circumstances that they can't get out of for a time. The latter is true obscurity. This could look like a number of things: an extended illness, being stuck in a refugee camp for years on end, being incarcerated in a concentration camp, hiding from danger in times of war, being elderly. Yet I can think of ways in which people in each of these circumstances could rise to positions of leadership, even in their supposed obscurity. All you have to do is read of Ann Frank or Corrie Ten Boom, or pick up a copy of Voice of the Martyrs' monthly magazine, or read Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. In stories such as these we read of people who didn't just survive but also thrived in the throes of serious challenges.In The Invisible Woman, we instead read of an obscurity that feels self-imposed. Why can't the main character assert herself and talk about what she needs? Why can't she put her foot down and stop doing things for her sons that they can do themselves, such as the laundry (thinking particularly of her teenager)? Why can't she take a few law cases pro bono, part-time? Why can't she ask her husband to take the dog to the vet instead, or to help out with meals? If she has time to meet her friend for lunch, she can certainly make time to do some research at the local university library and write a few articles in law reviews here and there.On another note, if I were to recommend this book at all, I would strongly urge that it be read accompanied by a book on detachment and selfhood, like Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend. This book does not teach a healthy concept of self. Instead, it sets women up for a journey not to invisibility but to codependency--a condition in which a person loses oneself in caring for others.

If we can open our hearts and truly accept and understand her message, what a gift that will be to the world around us. I've heard the story before of the gift being given and the story of the cathedral builders.. I am so happy to find the origin. I will gift this book to many friends and loved ones.Thank you Nicole Johnson for sharing your invisibility with me, another invisible but gratefully content woman.

Many women feel this way. In response It focuses on the cathedral builders who built for the glory of God to the benefit of future generations. Its a nice metaphor. A bit too "stay invisible" to my taste. The woman is a complete doormat.

Good