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Labor with Hope: Gospel Meditations on Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Motherhood
The world is filled with mixed messages about pregnancy. Popular books and well-meaning family and friends offer you unsolicited advice about what to expect and how to stay healthy - sometimes resulting in joy and excitement but other times leading to discouragement and fear.
The Bible, too, has a lot to say about childbirth - offering real hope that nothing in this world can match. In Labor with Hope, Gloria Furman helps you see pregnancy, infertility, miscarriage, birth pain, and new life in the framework of the larger biblical narrative, infusing cosmic meaning into your personal experience by exploring how they point to eternal realities.
You will see that only Christ can provide the strength they desperately need in order to truly labor with hope.
The Bible, too, has a lot to say about childbirth - offering real hope that nothing in this world can match. In Labor with Hope, Gloria Furman helps you see pregnancy, infertility, miscarriage, birth pain, and new life in the framework of the larger biblical narrative, infusing cosmic meaning into your personal experience by exploring how they point to eternal realities.
You will see that only Christ can provide the strength they desperately need in order to truly labor with hope.
Audible Audio
Published April 27, 2020
135 people are currently reading
1001 people want to read
About the author
Gloria Furman
31 books290 followersGloria Furman (MACE, Dallas Theological Seminary) is a wife, mother of four, cross-cultural worker, and writer. In 2008 her family moved to the Middle East to plant Redeemer Church of Dubai where her husband, Dave, serves as the pastor. She is the author of Glimpses of Grace, Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full, The Pastor’s Wife, and Missional Motherhood.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
May 22, 2020
The concept of this devotional is lovely--bite-sized biblical encouragement for expectant mothers. I was excited to read it for myself, and possibly to give it to my friends. But while the theology is solid, I found the writing difficult to engage with. Many sentences lack focus, and the theological insights regarding childbirth felt disconnected from the concrete situations of the assumed readers: the fears, expectations, planning, hopes, challenges, etc. of pregnancy or of going through the process of adoption.
June 8, 2022
This is not necessarily a comprehensive theological work on motherhood, but instead is a set of 25 short devotionals.
I think some may find the content encouraging—it reads like a genuine act of worship from an author who found encouragement in what she discovered. However, for me it wasn’t encouraging—in fact, unfortunately, it was in some ways ultimately discouraging.
Most of the devotionals felt very similar to me: it begins with a presentation of common aspects of motherhood and then (sometimes gently, sometimes not) condemns those things (“mommy martyr complex,” wanting sympathy, hoping in your body for a smooth birth, alternately feeling empowered [which the book presented as self-worship] or afraid [portrayed as lack of faith], seeing the beauty of birth without giving credit to God, etc.). To be frank, the book felt like it was terrified to give mothers any piece of encouragement, comfort, sympathy, or congratulations for fear of feeding our inherent need to self-worship. The only comfort that the book presented was the gospel—25 times. Normally, that sounds like a beautiful and helpful thing! But it was couched in strong warnings and a generally very negative view of moms and humanity in general.
Also, the way that the gospel was presented each time followed a fairly similar formula: “you are selfish and unworthy, but God loves you anyway, so be grateful.” Most of the book’s gospel theological statements felt like repetitive Reformed/Evangelical talking points presented as absolute fact without a lot of nuance or context (for example: believing that your birth will go smoothly is prosperity gospel and unbiblical, believing that you can manage your pain to have a less painful or even painless birth is unbiblical, etc.) I didn’t often experience God’s mercy or love for me via this book, but often experienced condemnation.
There were some interesting connections throughout the book, showing various aspects of God’s relationship to birth and motherhood in Scripture, and there was occasional interesting exegesis (like her take on the meaning of “saved through childbirth.”) I was reminded of compelling verses and aspects of God’s character throughout.
Overall, I would not recommend this book to most mothers. It’s presented as a message of hope but is ultimately a very specific/conservative presentation of one interpretation of the gospel, coupled with a lot of warnings and condemnation.
I think some may find the content encouraging—it reads like a genuine act of worship from an author who found encouragement in what she discovered. However, for me it wasn’t encouraging—in fact, unfortunately, it was in some ways ultimately discouraging.
Most of the devotionals felt very similar to me: it begins with a presentation of common aspects of motherhood and then (sometimes gently, sometimes not) condemns those things (“mommy martyr complex,” wanting sympathy, hoping in your body for a smooth birth, alternately feeling empowered [which the book presented as self-worship] or afraid [portrayed as lack of faith], seeing the beauty of birth without giving credit to God, etc.). To be frank, the book felt like it was terrified to give mothers any piece of encouragement, comfort, sympathy, or congratulations for fear of feeding our inherent need to self-worship. The only comfort that the book presented was the gospel—25 times. Normally, that sounds like a beautiful and helpful thing! But it was couched in strong warnings and a generally very negative view of moms and humanity in general.
Also, the way that the gospel was presented each time followed a fairly similar formula: “you are selfish and unworthy, but God loves you anyway, so be grateful.” Most of the book’s gospel theological statements felt like repetitive Reformed/Evangelical talking points presented as absolute fact without a lot of nuance or context (for example: believing that your birth will go smoothly is prosperity gospel and unbiblical, believing that you can manage your pain to have a less painful or even painless birth is unbiblical, etc.) I didn’t often experience God’s mercy or love for me via this book, but often experienced condemnation.
There were some interesting connections throughout the book, showing various aspects of God’s relationship to birth and motherhood in Scripture, and there was occasional interesting exegesis (like her take on the meaning of “saved through childbirth.”) I was reminded of compelling verses and aspects of God’s character throughout.
Overall, I would not recommend this book to most mothers. It’s presented as a message of hope but is ultimately a very specific/conservative presentation of one interpretation of the gospel, coupled with a lot of warnings and condemnation.
December 5, 2022
I *should* have loved this book in theory, I love thinking and reading on the theology of birth but…Labor of Hope was a labor to get through. I am not entirely sure why. Perhaps it was too broad without enough depth? Too repetitive? It’s tough for me to articulate exactly why it didn’t hold my attention, but it didn’t resonate with me.
May 22, 2019
First sentence: Even the midwives were charmed.
Labor with Hope is a devotional book; it offers readers twenty-five devotions. It isn't your typical devotional book. First, it offers much more than just a simple page or two with a Scripture nugget as a jumping off point. (The chapters are longer than that.) Second, it is geared specifically to women who are new mothers or soon-to-be new mothers. Third, the focus isn't me-me-me or you-you-you. The focus remains clearly and substantially on Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
The goal of Labor with Hope is clearly stated in the introduction,
"In Labor with Hope we will see how Jesus has everything to do with everything, including our spiritual nourishment in pregnancy and childbirth. We will walk together and examine the treasures we find in God's Word concerning many related topics--pregnancy, infertility, miscarriage, birth pain, new physical life--and how these common experiences point us to eternal realities."
She concludes,
"Worship was my goal in writing this devotional book, and it remains my hope and prayer for readers."
I love how saturated Labor with Hope is with the Bible itself. It is packed with Scripture itself and also informed by Scripture. The writers truly point readers to the Word and illustrate the fact that, "the Bible is a buffet with plenty of soul food for those who are eating for two."
Though to state the obvious, the good news of the gospel as unpacked in Labor With Hope does not just apply to moms-to-be. Far from it, the good news is for every one regardless of age, gender, or fertility. Whether believers are pregnant, planning to adopt, or have recently welcomed a new member to the family...or not...daily refreshment in the gospel is a necessity.
Labor with Hope is a devotional book; it offers readers twenty-five devotions. It isn't your typical devotional book. First, it offers much more than just a simple page or two with a Scripture nugget as a jumping off point. (The chapters are longer than that.) Second, it is geared specifically to women who are new mothers or soon-to-be new mothers. Third, the focus isn't me-me-me or you-you-you. The focus remains clearly and substantially on Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
The goal of Labor with Hope is clearly stated in the introduction,
"In Labor with Hope we will see how Jesus has everything to do with everything, including our spiritual nourishment in pregnancy and childbirth. We will walk together and examine the treasures we find in God's Word concerning many related topics--pregnancy, infertility, miscarriage, birth pain, new physical life--and how these common experiences point us to eternal realities."
She concludes,
"Worship was my goal in writing this devotional book, and it remains my hope and prayer for readers."
I love how saturated Labor with Hope is with the Bible itself. It is packed with Scripture itself and also informed by Scripture. The writers truly point readers to the Word and illustrate the fact that, "the Bible is a buffet with plenty of soul food for those who are eating for two."
Though to state the obvious, the good news of the gospel as unpacked in Labor With Hope does not just apply to moms-to-be. Far from it, the good news is for every one regardless of age, gender, or fertility. Whether believers are pregnant, planning to adopt, or have recently welcomed a new member to the family...or not...daily refreshment in the gospel is a necessity.
January 3, 2023
This book didn't do a lot for me. The first few chapters started out great, but it just continued to disappoint from there on. It's not well-written and though there were many good thoughts and presentations of the gospel, most of it felt very disjointed and repetitious.
A major annoyance for me was the poor handling of the concept of pain in labor. It's a pet peeve when people look at Scripture and don't acknowledge that the word for Adam's work of making a living from the earth and the word for Eve's work of childbearing is one and the same and literally means "hard work." Not that hard work doesn't often come with pain, but that isn't the main focus. The author spent the entire book hammering us over the head with birth pains, anguish, suffering, writhing, agony, and similar verbiage. She attempts to offer hope, as per the title, but this seems like it would be a very discouraging book to read in pregnancy. Labor can be a beautiful time of reliance on God's strength, not just gritting your teeth to get through the misery. There is beauty in suffering and in offering up our pain to the Lord. There is also beauty in trusting God's perfect design for labor and birth and having faith in His goodness as the process unfolds, rather than allowing fear to rule our lives and hormones and cause needless pain as our bodies respond to our mental panic. I'm afraid this book will cause women to fear and dread labor, rather than to look forward to this holy work with faith and hope.
A major annoyance for me was the poor handling of the concept of pain in labor. It's a pet peeve when people look at Scripture and don't acknowledge that the word for Adam's work of making a living from the earth and the word for Eve's work of childbearing is one and the same and literally means "hard work." Not that hard work doesn't often come with pain, but that isn't the main focus. The author spent the entire book hammering us over the head with birth pains, anguish, suffering, writhing, agony, and similar verbiage. She attempts to offer hope, as per the title, but this seems like it would be a very discouraging book to read in pregnancy. Labor can be a beautiful time of reliance on God's strength, not just gritting your teeth to get through the misery. There is beauty in suffering and in offering up our pain to the Lord. There is also beauty in trusting God's perfect design for labor and birth and having faith in His goodness as the process unfolds, rather than allowing fear to rule our lives and hormones and cause needless pain as our bodies respond to our mental panic. I'm afraid this book will cause women to fear and dread labor, rather than to look forward to this holy work with faith and hope.
September 27, 2022
A sweet devotional for mama’s in all stages! The gospel applied to labor and stages of motherhood in short Bible filled chapters.
July 22, 2025
I found this book simple in some ways, yet profound. I found it encouraging to my heart as I am in the midst of pregnancy and looking toward the birth late this year of my own child.
While I don't necessarily think someone struggling with infertility would enjoy this book, I love how Furman addressed it with tenderness. I also love how she kept bringing adoption into the conversation as well.
I think this book has a lot for those who are mothers or are longing to be mothers.
I will be rereading this book
While I don't necessarily think someone struggling with infertility would enjoy this book, I love how Furman addressed it with tenderness. I also love how she kept bringing adoption into the conversation as well.
I think this book has a lot for those who are mothers or are longing to be mothers.
I will be rereading this book
September 6, 2024
This book was greatly lacking for me in most areas. I bought it as I’m preparing for my fifth birth and found it not just unhelpful, but actually kind of discouraging and fear-inducing in some ways.
The subtitle is “Gospel Meditations on Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Motherhood,” which I anticipated meant something along the lines of bringing biblical perspective and encouragement to the expectant mom. But instead it felt like a repetitive dissection of the Bible’s use of the analogy of pain in childbirth. I skipped over several parts as they felt redundant or at times even made my mind start to go to unhelpful places in preparing for birth.
Disappointing.
The subtitle is “Gospel Meditations on Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Motherhood,” which I anticipated meant something along the lines of bringing biblical perspective and encouragement to the expectant mom. But instead it felt like a repetitive dissection of the Bible’s use of the analogy of pain in childbirth. I skipped over several parts as they felt redundant or at times even made my mind start to go to unhelpful places in preparing for birth.
Disappointing.
February 28, 2024
25 short devotions on pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood. Different to what I was expecting, and I think sometimes not super engaging. But still a really helpful book to read while expecting a child (this is the closest to a social media launch this baby will get 😂) - important words of the importance of the gospel, the sufficiency of Jesus, the all surpassing worth of knowing Jesus as Lord - and, a reframing to remember that children and child birth are given by God to reflect truths of his fatherly love for us, and his deliverance of his children. Worth letting such truths wash over you!!
July 25, 2024
Received this book from meggie Calkins 🫶🏼🫶🏼 and it was such a sweet devotional book during pregnancy! As any devotional (imo) some are stronger and have more scripture than others, but overall I would recommend this to any pregnant women! Really put into perspective how much childbearing and pain point to the eschatological rumbling of our world, but Christian we have hope! Just as an expecting mother has hope on the other side of birth so do we as Christian’s have hope and pure joy waiting for us when Jesus returns to bring us home!
June 1, 2022
Another short sweet gospel saturated book by Furman. Nothing life changing, but she isn’t shy about convicting you of your sin and pointing you back to Christ. Which is what I always need.
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September 21, 2025This short but profound collection of 25 Gospel-focused meditations on pregnancy, labor, and birth helped direct my thoughts toward the larger story of God while we prepare to welcome our son.
June 16, 2019
This book is great for mothers to be and for every pregnant woman. It helps you see the important things in childbirth and pregnancy. We can easily forget the reason why we bare children, because todays culture is all about what you like and how you feel.
This book is a reality check!
This book is a reality check!
August 28, 2023
Before reading this book, I had no idea there were so many references in Scripture to birth pains, labor pains and the like. It was interesting to hear the author’s interpretations of what she believes those passages mean.
I really enjoyed this book overall. I found the author’s premise to be very relatable and tucked away some nuggets of wisdom to remember when my time of labor comes.
My favorite chapter was 21 when the author discusses preparing for motherhood by training our feelings and being able to identify those feelings when they are not lining up with the truth of God’s Word. Furman states “God’s glorious Word is worthy of our trust even when our feelings disagree.”
In this chapter she also states: “it is so important for us to know that we do not have to rely on our feelings and emotions when we consider the children we raise.” What a comfort that is to me! Knowing I have the grace of God and His Word for discernment and wisdom both in child bearing and in child rearing. To further support this point, Furman states in chap 21: “God equips his children for the ministries he has called them to, so your preparation is already on the way via His future grace.”
Will be recommending this book to other moms and moms to be!
I really enjoyed this book overall. I found the author’s premise to be very relatable and tucked away some nuggets of wisdom to remember when my time of labor comes.
My favorite chapter was 21 when the author discusses preparing for motherhood by training our feelings and being able to identify those feelings when they are not lining up with the truth of God’s Word. Furman states “God’s glorious Word is worthy of our trust even when our feelings disagree.”
In this chapter she also states: “it is so important for us to know that we do not have to rely on our feelings and emotions when we consider the children we raise.” What a comfort that is to me! Knowing I have the grace of God and His Word for discernment and wisdom both in child bearing and in child rearing. To further support this point, Furman states in chap 21: “God equips his children for the ministries he has called them to, so your preparation is already on the way via His future grace.”
Will be recommending this book to other moms and moms to be!
June 26, 2023
I listened to this on audiobook…which is not my favorite way to consume literature. It’s possible I would’ve enjoyed this more if I had the physical book and went through it more devotionally.
Anyway, I appreciated the authors insistent theme of: your labor/your story/your parenthood/etc is not about you—it’s about God. These things teach us about who God is and how we relate to Him as His children. Both our sorrows and our joys ultimately reflect greater realities about our Sovereign Creator and Sustainer. We imitate God and not the other way around.
Another aspect the author briefly touched on is one that I’ll continually need to be reminded of as a parent. That is that we are all upheld and sustained by Gods grace. Thus, we have no reason to boast in ourselves.
Anyway, I appreciated the authors insistent theme of: your labor/your story/your parenthood/etc is not about you—it’s about God. These things teach us about who God is and how we relate to Him as His children. Both our sorrows and our joys ultimately reflect greater realities about our Sovereign Creator and Sustainer. We imitate God and not the other way around.
Another aspect the author briefly touched on is one that I’ll continually need to be reminded of as a parent. That is that we are all upheld and sustained by Gods grace. Thus, we have no reason to boast in ourselves.
August 16, 2022
Alright, I couldn’t put this book down. The amount of times that Gloria caused me to pause and worship the Lord was countless. Here are one of my favorite quotes from the book: “Day and night, why do we give ourselves away? Because of the gospel. This stunning portrait of the Suffering servant shapes a Christ-centered perspective for our motherhood. Every theme of pain and suffering in this world gives way to a vision of our glorious Christ. “
-Gloria Furman, Labor with Hope Pg. 66
I was looking for a book that would cause me to connect the gospel to pregnancy, child-bearing, birthing and motherhood and this is the book. She constantly reminds the Christian that childbirth is not about us but about God and His glory. She also uses what seems like every birth metaphor that exists in scripture and relates it to Christ’s suffering that we share in whether we are going to physically labor or not making the audience wide-ranging.
Further, I appreciate how she includes those who may not be able to bear children and thoughtfully charges them with ways to carefully consider their role as an image bearer. If you want to be challenged in your views of motherhood, child-bearing or being born again as a new creation this is a helpful book for you-I can’t recommend it enough!
-Gloria Furman, Labor with Hope Pg. 66
I was looking for a book that would cause me to connect the gospel to pregnancy, child-bearing, birthing and motherhood and this is the book. She constantly reminds the Christian that childbirth is not about us but about God and His glory. She also uses what seems like every birth metaphor that exists in scripture and relates it to Christ’s suffering that we share in whether we are going to physically labor or not making the audience wide-ranging.
Further, I appreciate how she includes those who may not be able to bear children and thoughtfully charges them with ways to carefully consider their role as an image bearer. If you want to be challenged in your views of motherhood, child-bearing or being born again as a new creation this is a helpful book for you-I can’t recommend it enough!
January 16, 2024
Very insightful to see how scripture talks about labor and childbearing. A great read for a first time mom through pregnancy or adoption. She uses her co-authors dissertation on labor in the Bible, which makes this a very scripturally rich and intellectual read — along with her gospel encouragement throughout.
January 26, 2024
4 ⭐️
Disclaimer- I’m not a mom, pregnant, or planning on having children in the near future, but I had a dear friend recommend this book to me so I had to read it!
I really enjoyed listening to this book. This was such a sweet picture of the Lord’s plan for women and how pregnancy and childbirth tie in with the gospel and His plan. This was definitely a sweet listen even for someone who doesn’t have children. I would definitely want to read through this book slower in the future if I was pregnant/adopting.
Disclaimer- I’m not a mom, pregnant, or planning on having children in the near future, but I had a dear friend recommend this book to me so I had to read it!
I really enjoyed listening to this book. This was such a sweet picture of the Lord’s plan for women and how pregnancy and childbirth tie in with the gospel and His plan. This was definitely a sweet listen even for someone who doesn’t have children. I would definitely want to read through this book slower in the future if I was pregnant/adopting.
January 13, 2021
This was a really great listen! I enjoyed this short but gospel-centered perspective on pregnancy and motherhood.
There are many spiritual parallels between childbearing and the gospel that are worth meditating on, and Gloria Furman does a good job bringing many of those to the surface. Worth the read/listen if you’re pregnant, adopting, already a mom or just interested in the topic!
There are many spiritual parallels between childbearing and the gospel that are worth meditating on, and Gloria Furman does a good job bringing many of those to the surface. Worth the read/listen if you’re pregnant, adopting, already a mom or just interested in the topic!
January 19, 2025
I think this is my favorite Gloria Furman book so far. I liked the shorter devotional type readings. In spite of their brevity, each chapter goes pretty deep into Scripture for each topic relating to pregnancy, childbirth and fertility. I particularly liked her treatment of 1 Timothy 2:15 (“yet she will be saved through childbearing…”). I would recommend this to any pregnant woman to be refreshed by the hope that comes through the gospel.
December 15, 2022
A short read that I got a few good points and reminders from.
I appreciated the re-focus on living for Jesus that this book provided, in amongst all the baby brain and preparations.
I appreciated the re-focus on living for Jesus that this book provided, in amongst all the baby brain and preparations.
March 22, 2023
I could not recommend Furman’s book enough for expecting parents. Her writing reads like a dense dissertation of biblical theology, which is exactly what it is. Each chapter reveals how prevalent the themes of childbirth and labor pain flow through the pages of Scripture.
With an effort to point us to Jesus as we expectantly await our children, Furman helps reorient our thinking when it comes to the pains associated with labor, which is helpful for expectant mothers as well as fathers who stand next to the women they love throughout their pregnancy.
With an effort to point us to Jesus as we expectantly await our children, Furman helps reorient our thinking when it comes to the pains associated with labor, which is helpful for expectant mothers as well as fathers who stand next to the women they love throughout their pregnancy.
June 3, 2023
The subtitle is accurate - simple, Gospel meditations for all things motherhood (before and after a baby is born or adopted). This was encouraging to me in the throes of first trimester morning sickness, and I’m sure it will be encouraging to read again as my due date gets closer.
June 7, 2024
“He who was delivered through birth pains will one day deliver the world from its birth pains when He brings His new creation in full.”
December 7, 2020
I wasn’t expecting this book to read like a devotional, but I enjoyed that it did. While repetitive, this book and the use of scripture in it, set my mind on the hope of the Gospel as I’ve navigated through the end of pregnancy and preparing for childbirth.
April 16, 2023
This was a wonderful devotion that helped to keep the focus clear on God through pregnancy and motherhood. I would recommend this book to anyone going through those experiences. It was easy to read and had both hard and comforting truths in every chapter.
July 25, 2023
Ok so this book isn’t what I was hoping it’d be… but it ended up being what I needed it to be. I was honestly looking for a book that would reinforce my convictions about the spiritual richness and beauty in natural childbirth and while it had brushes of that it was much more a biblical theology of birth pain and parenting and even included the labors of adoption as well.
I was pridefully wanting something that would empower me for birth and pair some nice scripture to go along with it but instead I was humbled and reminded of my utter dependence on Jesus in all of life. It’s a short little book but packs a punch. Gloria is so obviously floored by the grace of Jesus that gospel truths just ooze out of her. I loved hearing the same truth put a hundred different ways so it could get through my thick skull!
Some favorite lines:
Childbirth is at the same time a painful trial and a matchless joy, a display of weakness and a feat of strength. Tasting death in order to give life.
Pain is God’s megaphone to a deaf world (Lewis)
You and I can be adopted children of Yahweh because of the cross. It is the intervention of all interventions… talk about a labor that is unlike anyone has ever seen or heard, ever! We are not biologically born into God’s family, we are spiritually adopted, labored over by Yahweh himself, and born again without birth pain.
The curse of birth pain is reversed through the cross. Where Jesus accomplishes salvation and begets new covenant children who far exceed the biological children of ethnic Israel.
I was pridefully wanting something that would empower me for birth and pair some nice scripture to go along with it but instead I was humbled and reminded of my utter dependence on Jesus in all of life. It’s a short little book but packs a punch. Gloria is so obviously floored by the grace of Jesus that gospel truths just ooze out of her. I loved hearing the same truth put a hundred different ways so it could get through my thick skull!
Some favorite lines:
Childbirth is at the same time a painful trial and a matchless joy, a display of weakness and a feat of strength. Tasting death in order to give life.
Pain is God’s megaphone to a deaf world (Lewis)
You and I can be adopted children of Yahweh because of the cross. It is the intervention of all interventions… talk about a labor that is unlike anyone has ever seen or heard, ever! We are not biologically born into God’s family, we are spiritually adopted, labored over by Yahweh himself, and born again without birth pain.
The curse of birth pain is reversed through the cross. Where Jesus accomplishes salvation and begets new covenant children who far exceed the biological children of ethnic Israel.
February 3, 2022
This book is completely saturated with the gospel in every page. I think that it would be incredibly beneficial for a young believer, or a first time mom facing anxieties of delivery for the first time.
As someone who has been a believer for some time, it did at times feel repetitive. But the repetition was nothing but speaking truth! The first few chapters weren’t very engaging, but I specifically enjoyed the chapters about abortion, and the hardships of parenting.
As someone who has been a believer for some time, it did at times feel repetitive. But the repetition was nothing but speaking truth! The first few chapters weren’t very engaging, but I specifically enjoyed the chapters about abortion, and the hardships of parenting.
December 21, 2022
“What should you expect when you are expecting? Expect that God has designed every detail of your child’s life to direct you (and them) to worship him.”
What I wanted was encouragement in the midst of fear, what I got was a theology of labor and childbearing. That is lovely (and it was well-written and gospel-centered), but I wish I had known going in. I also should have read it as a devotional. I think this would be really helpful for a mom in the throes of motherhood.
What I wanted was encouragement in the midst of fear, what I got was a theology of labor and childbearing. That is lovely (and it was well-written and gospel-centered), but I wish I had known going in. I also should have read it as a devotional. I think this would be really helpful for a mom in the throes of motherhood.
May 15, 2022
3.5 stars. It was good, but I was expecting (and desiring) a slightly more physically tangible and practical read. Maybe that’s not the best way to say it, since the gospel is the most practical of all realities, but I was expecting more application perhaps drawn from her experience as a doula? I loved that they were bite-size chapters and that our eyes were always pointed to Christ.
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