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Longing for Motherhood: Holding On to Hope in the Midst of Childlessness
When hopes for motherhood are deferred... Childlessness remains a taboo topic in today’s culture, especially in Christian circles. Many women feel isolated, ashamed, or uncertain of how to reconcile this trial with a loving God. The death of the dream of motherhood—whether from infertility, barrenness, miscarriage, or the loss of a child—is one of the hardest journeys women can walk through. In Longing for Motherhood , Chelsea Patterson Sobolik speaks to these burdens specifically. She shares vulnerably about her own journey of childlessness and how she has ultimately come to view her story through the lens of Scripture and our hope in Christ. While remaining tender and empathetic toward suffering and longing, she discusses the comfort we have in knowing that the Lord is sovereign over all, and that His love is sufficient to carry us through any and every situation. A timely book for women struggling with childlessness, as well as for pastors, friends, and family who want to care for them well, Longing for Motherhood is a tender, truthful companion for a difficult journey.
224 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2018
36 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Chelsea Patterson Sobolik
4 books14 followersCHELSEA PATTERSON lives and works in Washington, D.C., where she spends her days focusing on adoption and foster care policy for the U.S. House of Representatives. Her passion for adoption stems from her personal story of being adopted as a newborn from Bucharest, Romania. After growing up in North Carolina with five adopted siblings, Chelsea attended Liberty University. She has written for The Gospel Coalition, 9 Marks, The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, and the Patheos Evangelical channel, on a wide variety of issues including culture, current events, and Christian living.
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July 10, 2023I found this book to be an encouragement to engage with our own sorrows and questions (and others) intentionally and scripturally. One of the best books I’ve read concerning the grief of childlessness.
October 24, 2019
I picked up this book because it’s the first one I saw that dealt specifically with childlessness. Even though I feel content with where God has our family, it doesn’t mean I don’t struggle with our infertility. Childlessness tends to be a lonely trial for many reasons: it’s not visibly obvious; it’s private in nature and can therefore be uncomfortable to talk about, whether you are the sufferer or a potential comforter; and in the church, having children is so common and so celebrated that it can make the childless feel out of place and even (unintentionally) ashamed. While this book could have definitely used a better editor, it contained a lot of helpful truth, and I resonated with some of the hard realities the author has had to wrestle with. To me, it was eye-opening to think about how childlessness extends to Christian singles who desire to have children, but won’t outside of marriage. There was a lot of wisdom regarding grief and lament in general. There was a lot to say about how to find hope by fixing our eyes on Jesus, the anchor for our souls, not by expecting Him to meet our desires. I’m thankful that, while being a wife and mother are noble callings, “the greatest goal of a woman is not to be a mother, but to glorify God with our whole lives in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.” Childless women can still nurture others in many different ways, whether that means they pursue adoption, act as a “spiritual mother,” etc. God is faithful to the childless, sometimes by granting them children, but not always. We would do well to learn how to walk alongside and comfort those facing this trial.
March 29, 2025
10/5 stars!
This book brought to the surface many heavy emotions, including sadness, despair, and longing. While it may seem paradoxical, this book simultaneously gave me feelings of gratefulness, joy, and contentment.
The author states that childlessness changes the heart forever, whether you’re infertile, have a miscarriage, or are single with the desire to have children.
I would highly recommend this book to those who struggle with infertility and those who don’t! She provides advice to those who are walking alongside those with infertility and even to the church in how to better support those in this stage of life.
This book brought to the surface many heavy emotions, including sadness, despair, and longing. While it may seem paradoxical, this book simultaneously gave me feelings of gratefulness, joy, and contentment.
The author states that childlessness changes the heart forever, whether you’re infertile, have a miscarriage, or are single with the desire to have children.
I would highly recommend this book to those who struggle with infertility and those who don’t! She provides advice to those who are walking alongside those with infertility and even to the church in how to better support those in this stage of life.
February 3, 2020
In this incredibly personal, vulnerable book, Chelsea Patterson Sobolik shares her infertility story and encourages other women with unfulfilled dreams of motherhood to find hope in Christ and meaning in the midst of their trials. She is very sensitive to the different situations that women deal with, and addresses the concerns of single women who long for motherhood, not just women with physical infertility issues. However, even though this book is very inclusive, it is designed for women who experience intense grief and despair over their childlessness. I personally cannot imagine caring this much about whether or not I can have biological children, and some women who merely feel sad about their childlessness may not fully connect to this because the author's experience is so intense. She presumes that other women experience equal anguish, and there is less space in her narrative for people who are only disappointed over this issue.
This book is excellent, however, for the women who do experience anguish like hers, since there are so few resources that take infertility seriously as a loss issue and not just a lack. This book will deeply encourage those who experience childlessness as an immense trial, and it is full of candid personal stories, hard-won wisdom, and biblical hope. I would recommend this book to anyone who is deeply sad and struggling over their unfulfilled longings for motherhood, and I also recommend this to people who want to support the childless women in their lives. This book is a gift to the church because of how seriously it takes childlessness, and it provides substantial advice to people in that situation, their family and friends, and the churches who need to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for childless people and single people.
This book is grounded in Scripture instead of a self-help mentality, and draws from both the Bible and scientific literature to give readers a sense of how to endure trials and understand the dynamics of grief and loss. I found this book very moving at times, because even though I cannot relate to the author's intense desire for her own biological children, what she wrote about her worst nightmare and greatest pain resonated with me because of my own, unrelated struggles with mental illness. This book is an unusually excellent resource about suffering, and many of its chapters and truths apply just as well to other areas of pain as to childlessness. I could nod along with so many things she had written, because even though her specific context was different than mine, I have gone through similar thought processes and clung to similar Scriptures and truths.
The one objection I have to this book is the author's overly brief treatment of various assisted reproductive technologies. In my opinion, if she was going to include a section about this in the book, it should have been longer and included more information for people weighing the ethical consequences of these methods. I was most bothered by her paragraph on surrogacy, where she said that she has rejected this as an option because it seems like "playing God" to her. This is valid, but she leaves it as a personal preference or intuition without exploring the ethical dynamics of producing a child in this way.
She did not address the potential for exploitation in a surrogacy arrangement, the bond that naturally develops between surrogates and the children that they carry, the legal ramifications of a surrogate suing for parenthood, or the consequences that severing a prenatal bond can have on the baby. Because she presented her view as a personal conviction without addressing any of the underlying ethical implications, I wondered if she is close to people who have chosen surrogacy and didn't want to imply judgment towards them. I don't know, but it was the best explanation that I could think of for why she completely sidestepped the ethical problems with this.
Overall, however, this is a solid resource that I would highly recommend to women struggling with unfulfilled desires for motherhood and the families, friends, and churches that support them. I enjoyed reading it, learned a lot from the author's raw and vulnerable sharing, and appreciate her biblical encouragements about walking through pain and suffering. Despite its minor flaws, this is a great book with the potential to comfort, encourage, educate, and sensitize many people who are affected by this issue or love those who are.
This book is excellent, however, for the women who do experience anguish like hers, since there are so few resources that take infertility seriously as a loss issue and not just a lack. This book will deeply encourage those who experience childlessness as an immense trial, and it is full of candid personal stories, hard-won wisdom, and biblical hope. I would recommend this book to anyone who is deeply sad and struggling over their unfulfilled longings for motherhood, and I also recommend this to people who want to support the childless women in their lives. This book is a gift to the church because of how seriously it takes childlessness, and it provides substantial advice to people in that situation, their family and friends, and the churches who need to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for childless people and single people.
This book is grounded in Scripture instead of a self-help mentality, and draws from both the Bible and scientific literature to give readers a sense of how to endure trials and understand the dynamics of grief and loss. I found this book very moving at times, because even though I cannot relate to the author's intense desire for her own biological children, what she wrote about her worst nightmare and greatest pain resonated with me because of my own, unrelated struggles with mental illness. This book is an unusually excellent resource about suffering, and many of its chapters and truths apply just as well to other areas of pain as to childlessness. I could nod along with so many things she had written, because even though her specific context was different than mine, I have gone through similar thought processes and clung to similar Scriptures and truths.
The one objection I have to this book is the author's overly brief treatment of various assisted reproductive technologies. In my opinion, if she was going to include a section about this in the book, it should have been longer and included more information for people weighing the ethical consequences of these methods. I was most bothered by her paragraph on surrogacy, where she said that she has rejected this as an option because it seems like "playing God" to her. This is valid, but she leaves it as a personal preference or intuition without exploring the ethical dynamics of producing a child in this way.
She did not address the potential for exploitation in a surrogacy arrangement, the bond that naturally develops between surrogates and the children that they carry, the legal ramifications of a surrogate suing for parenthood, or the consequences that severing a prenatal bond can have on the baby. Because she presented her view as a personal conviction without addressing any of the underlying ethical implications, I wondered if she is close to people who have chosen surrogacy and didn't want to imply judgment towards them. I don't know, but it was the best explanation that I could think of for why she completely sidestepped the ethical problems with this.
Overall, however, this is a solid resource that I would highly recommend to women struggling with unfulfilled desires for motherhood and the families, friends, and churches that support them. I enjoyed reading it, learned a lot from the author's raw and vulnerable sharing, and appreciate her biblical encouragements about walking through pain and suffering. Despite its minor flaws, this is a great book with the potential to comfort, encourage, educate, and sensitize many people who are affected by this issue or love those who are.
April 6, 2018
An acquaintance of a friend of mine wrote this book, which is the entire reason I read it.
Despite being in my late 30s, single, and childless (and very much feeling that motherhood is part of my story), currently, I am not struggling with the grief and despair that, I believe, the author's intended reader deals with - more succinctly, I'm not her audience. That said, I do hope this book brings comfort and peace to those struggling with childlessness and helps to arm them with the tools they need.
Despite being in my late 30s, single, and childless (and very much feeling that motherhood is part of my story), currently, I am not struggling with the grief and despair that, I believe, the author's intended reader deals with - more succinctly, I'm not her audience. That said, I do hope this book brings comfort and peace to those struggling with childlessness and helps to arm them with the tools they need.
February 12, 2025
This book was an encouraging foray of how to hold onto hope when you long for motherhood. The author is barren and shares her story through the pages and points to the Lord sustaining her even though she knows she will not have biological children of her own. The description of grief in this book was well done and I liked the chapter about how the church can care well for women who are childless.
I had picked up this book before getting pregnant, but it was still a lovely read and I highly recommend it to anyone in a season of longing for motherhood.
I had picked up this book before getting pregnant, but it was still a lovely read and I highly recommend it to anyone in a season of longing for motherhood.
August 4, 2018
Such an incredible, helpful, & necessary book! Anyone dealing with any kind of grief could benefit from this book but especially those wishing to be mothers. Highly recommend for anyone in the church & especially Pastors or those in leadership as there are probably many woman longing for motherhood all around you!
May 10, 2020
Sobolik pours out her soul on these pages. She gives us an abundance of scripture and resources, all while focusing on the hope that we have in Christ. An excellent read, one I’ll be referring to again and again.
July 5, 2018
In the very short time that I have been a pastor, God has graced me with the privilege of walking through the grief of my members, many of which are described in this book. Infertility, miscarriages, and (seldom talked about in this conversation, but it certainly belongs there) couples who, for a number of reasons, can’t have sex, seem to be extremely common in our small congregation. But make no mistake, these griefs are no more prevalent in our congregation than any other; it’s just that, most of the time, the grieving don’t feel like they have the freedom to share. They walk through grief in solitude. And for that reason, I highly recommend this book, not only to women who deal with childlessness, but for their husbands, friends, fellow church members, and pastors.
This book is very helpful for understanding what childlessness women are feeling, and it’s very helpful in serving such women. It acknowledges the genuine grief they experience, helps them to lament well, and also gives them a realistic vision of hope.
This book is very helpful for understanding what childlessness women are feeling, and it’s very helpful in serving such women. It acknowledges the genuine grief they experience, helps them to lament well, and also gives them a realistic vision of hope.
May 8, 2025
It is rare to find a biblically-based book specifically dealing with infertility, written from the perspective of a woman who has no possibility of ever getting pregnant, and as of publishing this book, had just barely walked down the aisle. But this author writes from the same place of pain that many of us are still experiencing - no false hopes or 'someday' promises that fill too many of these books. Reading her words was like having a heart-to-heart chat with a good friend, full of encouragement and real honesty and blessing and hard lessons. While not exceptionally deep theologically, its pages flowed with biblical truths.
I love that each chapter ends with practical, specific questions to consider and pray over. And I especially loved the two appendices: Prayers of Longing and Hope (paired with Scripture verses), and 30 Scriptures to Sustain You in the Midst of Childlessness. If anything can give hope to the grieving woman, it is God's eternal and unchanging Word!
I also appreciated the section on ministering to others who are walking down this path. As a barren woman, I have been on both sides of several of the suggestions and can attest to their helpfulness and encouragement. Some of them could have been fleshed out a bit more, with more concrete examples or steps to follow, but it provides a good overview to get you started.
I would recommend this to anyone facing infertility or helping others walk down that path. It's too big a struggle to carry alone!
I love that each chapter ends with practical, specific questions to consider and pray over. And I especially loved the two appendices: Prayers of Longing and Hope (paired with Scripture verses), and 30 Scriptures to Sustain You in the Midst of Childlessness. If anything can give hope to the grieving woman, it is God's eternal and unchanging Word!
I also appreciated the section on ministering to others who are walking down this path. As a barren woman, I have been on both sides of several of the suggestions and can attest to their helpfulness and encouragement. Some of them could have been fleshed out a bit more, with more concrete examples or steps to follow, but it provides a good overview to get you started.
I would recommend this to anyone facing infertility or helping others walk down that path. It's too big a struggle to carry alone!
September 29, 2021
4.5. Disclaimer: I have, nor my wife, struggled personally with infertility. This is a great book for those struggling with childlessness. With personal experience, the author acknowledges the longing and pain that childlessness can bring and then encourages couples to move through and out of that pain in many wise and biblical ways. I highly recommends this book to anyone experiencing infertility, but also to the church, as there are so many things we need to learn about caring for those in the midst of childlessness.
February 8, 2024
This book was so validating and encouraging. The author gives voice to feelings I hadn’t been able to express. Thankful to God for putting this book in my path.
July 18, 2018
At the age of nineteen, Chelsea was told by a doctor that she will never be able to get pregnant. The grief and sorrow she experienced over letting go of the dream to carry her own children threatened her faith in God. Over the years, she still longs for motherhood but can now come alongside others who are experiencing childlessness for different reasons such as infertility, miscarriages, or singleness. This book is a powerful and heartfelt resource that reminds women they are not alone in their pain. Chelsea doesn't shy away from grief, loneliness, and sorrow. The first half of the book is centered on validating those painful emotions rather than ignoring or avoiding them. So much of these chapters were applicable to general grief, sorrow, and loneliness as well as the specific experience of not being able to get pregnant. She then moves on to one of the best explanations I have ever read about the hope we have in Jesus (an assurance of something you can lean on and trust) versus the earthly term of longing for an uncertainty ("I hope it is sunny tomorrow") in the chapter titled We Have This Hope! She provides practical ideas for "living out the longing" for motherhood by serving others (such as mentoring) and finishes with a chapter on how our communities can care for those struggling with infertility or other forms of childlessness. Chelsea is honest about her struggles and does not try to appear like she's figured this whole thing out and does not still struggle with grieving and longing for motherhood. Her honesty and vulnerability coupled with Scripture-focused explorations of grief, suffering, hope, and healing make this book a valuable resource for anyone who is either experiencing the heartbreak of childlessness or who desires to learn how to serve them better.
December 14, 2017
"Trials have a way of revealing where our hearts are, where we've been placing our trust, and where we've been seeking joy, hope, and security" - Author Chelsea Patterson Sobolik
Unlike many other books that only address the issue of childlessness via infertility, this book acknowledges other causes such as child loss, medical conditions and even through life circumstances. It offers great comfort and advice on how to deal with this trial, how to draw closer to God in your grief and how to allow God to work in your life throughout the hardship. This book also has a wonderful chapter written to Pastors, church members and loved ones on how they can help support those who are experiencing childlessness. I particularly loved the last chapter in the book that contained prayers to pray and 30 scriptures to sustain you in the midst of your childlessness.
Throughout this book the message is the same. Childlessness does not define who you are and you should be particularly intentional on not allowing it to. That hope and grief can coexist and that they aren't at odds with each other.
"The greatest role of a woman is not to be a mother, but rather, to glorify God with our whole lives in whatever circumstances we find ourselves" - Author Chelsea Patterson Sobolik
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am very happy to recommend this book.
Unlike many other books that only address the issue of childlessness via infertility, this book acknowledges other causes such as child loss, medical conditions and even through life circumstances. It offers great comfort and advice on how to deal with this trial, how to draw closer to God in your grief and how to allow God to work in your life throughout the hardship. This book also has a wonderful chapter written to Pastors, church members and loved ones on how they can help support those who are experiencing childlessness. I particularly loved the last chapter in the book that contained prayers to pray and 30 scriptures to sustain you in the midst of your childlessness.
Throughout this book the message is the same. Childlessness does not define who you are and you should be particularly intentional on not allowing it to. That hope and grief can coexist and that they aren't at odds with each other.
"The greatest role of a woman is not to be a mother, but rather, to glorify God with our whole lives in whatever circumstances we find ourselves" - Author Chelsea Patterson Sobolik
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am very happy to recommend this book.
April 10, 2018
I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
It was amazing. My own journey through childlessness began ten years ago as a newlywed, and this book described so many of the challenges and blessings I experienced throughout that it was uncanny. Chelsea Patterson Sobolik determined that the dearth of resources available to those struggling through childlessness was unacceptable.
This book is written for those dealing with childlessness (singles, those struggling with infertility, those who have lost children) and for those who wish to minister to them.
There are references to books dealing with suffering and other pertinent topics; scripture verses and prayers to address the different topics and struggles, and the book is written in a winsome way that proves the woman who wrote it lived it. Those struggling will not be disappointed by this book. Those who know nothing of this struggle will be blessed by it.
There were so many passages I want to share that it makes more sense to just point you to the entire book. May it bless you as it blessed me.
It was amazing. My own journey through childlessness began ten years ago as a newlywed, and this book described so many of the challenges and blessings I experienced throughout that it was uncanny. Chelsea Patterson Sobolik determined that the dearth of resources available to those struggling through childlessness was unacceptable.
This book is written for those dealing with childlessness (singles, those struggling with infertility, those who have lost children) and for those who wish to minister to them.
There are references to books dealing with suffering and other pertinent topics; scripture verses and prayers to address the different topics and struggles, and the book is written in a winsome way that proves the woman who wrote it lived it. Those struggling will not be disappointed by this book. Those who know nothing of this struggle will be blessed by it.
There were so many passages I want to share that it makes more sense to just point you to the entire book. May it bless you as it blessed me.
February 21, 2020
Chelsea has some helpful ideas and I'm thankful for her courage and compassion that drove her to write the book. But it didn't meet me and I would not give this book to my friends who are struggling with infertility as it moves too quickly and feels almost flippant even as it encourages readers not to use faith or Scripture as bandaids. However, I do think it may be beneficial for women who are diagnosed before marriage with fertility issues (as opposed to single women, married women, or women with secondary infertility)
I will instead (re)read and give The Scars That Have Shaped Me by Vaneetha Risner.
I will instead (re)read and give The Scars That Have Shaped Me by Vaneetha Risner.
June 4, 2018
WOW! This book was incredibly inspiring and challenging for me. My best friend has been struggling with childlessness, and I myself am a single woman longing for marriage and children - so it hit me twice. It provided excellent insight on how to help a friend who is walking the road of childlessness and also reminded the readers where our hope and security for a content life comes from. I GREATLY enjoyed reading this book, thank you Chelsea for writing from the heart!
March 12, 2018
A must read for anyone coping with infertility or childlessness. But, whether you are grappling with with those issues or simply looking for a more hope in a complex, challenging world this book is a great read. Balanced and sensitive, it is a guidebook for achieving greater peace. Just a lovely read.
May 13, 2019
When I found out I couldn’t have children, this book hadn’t been published yet. I desperately searched for a book like this but found none. This is an important book, not just for women longing for motherhood, but also for the Church to learn to love well.
May 4, 2022
So encouraging to my heart and soul.
June 24, 2018
I am glad this book exists. If I had written it, I probably would have chosen to allot more space to scriptural exegesis and to other resources from my theological tradition. The book Chelsea has written, however, is certainly a blessing to the church. Courageously sharing her own story of loss, she comes alongside women who are struggling and also invites them to serve others out of their suffering.
I appreciate that Chelsea deliberately draws a wide circle around "childlessness" and doesn't limit her discussion to those experiencing infertility. She is sensitive about the fact that this is an ongoing source of grief for many women that isn't resolved on a clear timeline. In that vein, I appreciate that she doesn't treat adoption as if it is a quick fix--I have never felt that attitude does justice to the heartbreaking circumstances most childless people are dealing with or to adoption as a complex journey in its own right.
Much of the content could encourage believers enduring many different types of trials (or help those who desire to accompany them). The reflection questions are useful as well.
I appreciate that Chelsea deliberately draws a wide circle around "childlessness" and doesn't limit her discussion to those experiencing infertility. She is sensitive about the fact that this is an ongoing source of grief for many women that isn't resolved on a clear timeline. In that vein, I appreciate that she doesn't treat adoption as if it is a quick fix--I have never felt that attitude does justice to the heartbreaking circumstances most childless people are dealing with or to adoption as a complex journey in its own right.
Much of the content could encourage believers enduring many different types of trials (or help those who desire to accompany them). The reflection questions are useful as well.
May 1, 2025
This was a heart-felt and concisely-written book for those suffering childlessness.
The author helps readers walk through the stages of grief and gently offers hope (rooted in Christ) without insisting on immediate "recovery" or quick fixes. From her own experience with childlessness, the author knows this kind of grief can last a lifetime and is fraught with ups and downs.
I appreciated the author's willingness to share her personal experiences with childlessness while at the same time not focusing entirely on her own struggles or assuming that everyone's response is the same.
She also found a way to bring up (without complaining or accusing) the topic of how churches, friends, and families can respond better to people who are suffering childlessness. And she brings up the controversies surrounding IVF with tact and gentleness.
Overall, a very helpful and hopeful book –both for those experiencing childlessness and for family and friends of people who are experiencing childlessness.
The author helps readers walk through the stages of grief and gently offers hope (rooted in Christ) without insisting on immediate "recovery" or quick fixes. From her own experience with childlessness, the author knows this kind of grief can last a lifetime and is fraught with ups and downs.
I appreciated the author's willingness to share her personal experiences with childlessness while at the same time not focusing entirely on her own struggles or assuming that everyone's response is the same.
She also found a way to bring up (without complaining or accusing) the topic of how churches, friends, and families can respond better to people who are suffering childlessness. And she brings up the controversies surrounding IVF with tact and gentleness.
Overall, a very helpful and hopeful book –both for those experiencing childlessness and for family and friends of people who are experiencing childlessness.
March 28, 2022
Finally a book from a Christian woman who understands the pain of childlessness, wrestled with God’s goodness in the midst of her grief and doesn’t minimize the feelings of the situation by telling you to “just trust God.” I love the fellowship of the body of Christ, but we are severely lacking in caring for women who are childless (and long not to be). We ask for their service, their smiles and their ability to rejoice with newly expected mothers without darkening the festivities with their sorrow.
It isn’t fair. It doesn’t make sense to those suffering and sometimes we just need to be loved. But it is also good to be reminded that just because my story won’t go the way I wanted, it doesn’t mean my story is at an end. God still has plans for me. It does not make me less than a mother or reduce my kingdom value.
It isn’t fair. It doesn’t make sense to those suffering and sometimes we just need to be loved. But it is also good to be reminded that just because my story won’t go the way I wanted, it doesn’t mean my story is at an end. God still has plans for me. It does not make me less than a mother or reduce my kingdom value.
April 25, 2018
I received a complimentary copy.
I would say first of all that my heart goes out to the readers of this book, because if you can connect or relate to the feelings that this author pours out then you have truly been upset in a world that can not be helped. Adoption is a beautiful choice and can bear just as much love and fulfillment in nurturing and raising a child. I know some people must only have a child they create and it is all or nothing and then mourn greatly if they can not. In my opinion instead of feeling sorry for yourself you should look into helping a child that has been abandoned, left for dead or that has a need in anyway. If you spend too much time looking down your going to miss what is ahead.
I would say first of all that my heart goes out to the readers of this book, because if you can connect or relate to the feelings that this author pours out then you have truly been upset in a world that can not be helped. Adoption is a beautiful choice and can bear just as much love and fulfillment in nurturing and raising a child. I know some people must only have a child they create and it is all or nothing and then mourn greatly if they can not. In my opinion instead of feeling sorry for yourself you should look into helping a child that has been abandoned, left for dead or that has a need in anyway. If you spend too much time looking down your going to miss what is ahead.
December 3, 2022
I was looking for a Gospel centered book on infertility and this one IS. IT. I love the complete honesty of the author and I love that, while the author is pointing the reader towards Christ, she doesn't do it in a pushy way.
The author shares her grief and the thoughts that have accompanied that grief but also gently points the reader to Christ. She doesn't push for people to get over themselves or to be done grieving after a certain amount of time but encourages the reader to continue to know and trust and seek God in the midst of anger, hurt, and despair.
I highly recommend this book for those struggling with infertility or for those who are just trying to know and care for those around them who might be struggling in this area.
The author shares her grief and the thoughts that have accompanied that grief but also gently points the reader to Christ. She doesn't push for people to get over themselves or to be done grieving after a certain amount of time but encourages the reader to continue to know and trust and seek God in the midst of anger, hurt, and despair.
I highly recommend this book for those struggling with infertility or for those who are just trying to know and care for those around them who might be struggling in this area.
March 30, 2020
I highly recommend this book for anyone struggling with not being able to have children and for anyone who doesn't understand those around them who are struggling with this. The author did a very thorough job walking through the grief of not having children and gently pointing the reader back to Christ. She also gave some very practical advise on how to focus on Christ when things seem hopeless in addition to some great ideas and practical suggestions for those in the church on how to encourage and be there for those who are struggling with childlessness.
March 13, 2018
Scripture-heavy, hope-filled, and compassionate yet to the point. Whether you are walking through infertility or wanting to encourage a friend who is, this book will push you towards Christ and our hope in him above anything else. I wish I had been able to read this book earlier in our own journey to help me navigate my own grief, but it was affirming to read these words and be able to say, “Me too! That is exactly how I felt/feel!”
November 7, 2021
This is such an important book. I was blown away to see that it has been out since 2018 (3 years) and there have been only 30 people who have written reviews about it. It would be so good for pastors, their board members, and wives to read the book. Not only for the benefit of seeing the perspective of those who are not able to have children but the terrific information she gives on learning to help those who are grieving.
March 3, 2018
Encouraging and practical! No matter what stage of life you are in presently you have experienced, or know a loved one who is experiencing, a form of childlessness. This book is honest, biblical, and gives loving advice to minister to those who may be suffering with infertility, miscarriage or prolonged singleness.
January 27, 2020
Chelsea does an amazing job walking the reader through the grief of childlessness. Her situation is so unique that it is shocking and I feel her pain. She validates the emotions of women suffering, for multiple reasons, and more importantly— she points us to Jesus. I recommend this to women suffering as well as those who are unaware of the pain resulting from childlessness of any form.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews