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Expectant: Cultivating a Vision for Christ-Centered Pregnancy
So often during the season of pregnancy, we hear that this time is all about us. But as Christians, our life is always about Jesus no matter what season we are in. This book shares about the unique opportunity we have to showcase the beauty of the gospel during pregnancy, allowing God to transform every aspect of it for His glory. This book seeks to apply the gospel to various spheres of life during pregnancy: relationship with God, marriage, family, fear, health, lifestyle, service, community, and preparing for birth. There are also two bonus chapters on loss and infertility.
210 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2020
31 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 23, 2020
Throughout these pages Heather lovingly tugs with truth on how to look at pregnancy through a biblical lens. Written in the trenches of motherhood over a span of 6 years, in the midst of her growing family, Heather shares heartfelt and sincere encouragement to an expectant mama’s heart.
This is a book that will undoubtedly be an encouragement to a pregnant mama’s heart as she journeys through the months of pregnancy and beyond into motherhood. Expectant, will cast a vision for cultivating a heart set on Christ while expecting. Heather does a wonderful job intertwining gospel truths, sharing biblical exhortation, and beautiful insight from her own journey of motherhood. One of my favorite parts was how she graciously asked other Christ-surrendered mama’s to share their stories and hearts. These candid, faith-building testimonies makes this book all the more beautiful as they build upon each of the author’s chapters. There are very few books that contain timeless biblical truth crafted specifically toward encouraging and refreshing an expectant mama’s heart, that I have come across. This book really is a life-giving tool to impart to all mother’s who desire to surrender every chapter of their lives into the capable and holy hands of the Lord, including pregnancy.
Brimming with wisdom that redirects our gaze as she shares about the joys and challenges of pregnancy. This book is a must read and would make such a wonderful gift to expectant mothers!
This is a book that will undoubtedly be an encouragement to a pregnant mama’s heart as she journeys through the months of pregnancy and beyond into motherhood. Expectant, will cast a vision for cultivating a heart set on Christ while expecting. Heather does a wonderful job intertwining gospel truths, sharing biblical exhortation, and beautiful insight from her own journey of motherhood. One of my favorite parts was how she graciously asked other Christ-surrendered mama’s to share their stories and hearts. These candid, faith-building testimonies makes this book all the more beautiful as they build upon each of the author’s chapters. There are very few books that contain timeless biblical truth crafted specifically toward encouraging and refreshing an expectant mama’s heart, that I have come across. This book really is a life-giving tool to impart to all mother’s who desire to surrender every chapter of their lives into the capable and holy hands of the Lord, including pregnancy.
Brimming with wisdom that redirects our gaze as she shares about the joys and challenges of pregnancy. This book is a must read and would make such a wonderful gift to expectant mothers!
May 4, 2024
2.5 rounded up.
This book was highly recommended and therefore highly anticipated, which is why I was highly surprised by my distaste for the overall tone of the book. Because it was so highly recommended from trusted friends, I’m hesitant to say it seemed to me idealistic and, at times, more focused on willpower and performance than grace and freedom in Christ.
I loved the chapters on service and community, as well as the bonus chapter on grieving the loss of a child.
Despite that, I could not in good faith recommend this as I think, depending on where the person is in their relationship with Christ, it could produce more shame than worship.
Edited to add: another reviewer said the tone seemed a little too “self-congratulatory” and that is a great way of describing one aspect of what I felt in the overall tone.
This book was highly recommended and therefore highly anticipated, which is why I was highly surprised by my distaste for the overall tone of the book. Because it was so highly recommended from trusted friends, I’m hesitant to say it seemed to me idealistic and, at times, more focused on willpower and performance than grace and freedom in Christ.
I loved the chapters on service and community, as well as the bonus chapter on grieving the loss of a child.
Despite that, I could not in good faith recommend this as I think, depending on where the person is in their relationship with Christ, it could produce more shame than worship.
Edited to add: another reviewer said the tone seemed a little too “self-congratulatory” and that is a great way of describing one aspect of what I felt in the overall tone.
October 7, 2020
Although I am not pregnant (and have never been), I must say that this book has completely changed my attitude. The way I think about pregnancy now is so different than the way I thought about it before I read the book - it changed for the better!
Heather tackles all the aspects that pregnancy impacts - like marriage, parenting, relationship with God etc. She also gives very practical ideas that will help you not just survive, but THRIVE in this peculiar season. I will definitely read the book again - and not only once. Definitely worth it. Cannot wait for more books to come!
Heather tackles all the aspects that pregnancy impacts - like marriage, parenting, relationship with God etc. She also gives very practical ideas that will help you not just survive, but THRIVE in this peculiar season. I will definitely read the book again - and not only once. Definitely worth it. Cannot wait for more books to come!
March 29, 2021
While I am not currently pregnant.... I appreciated this books desire to have every aspect of pregnancy be an area where Christ is glorified and invited into instead of taking our cultures self-centered (or even baby centered) narrative. I greatly appreciate Heather Cofers challenging words in this book. Personally I feel the last 2 chapters of the book which are on infertility and miscarriage/pregnancy loss are some of the best chapters of the book and the ladies who wrote them have great wisdom and insight into these areas.
October 5, 2021
This book just felt a little self-congratulatory. Especially the chapter where she told several stories about how people would come up to her out of the blue and compliment her on how put-together she looks.
June 11, 2020
I’m not pregnant—full stop, and I’m a little biased . . but I’m grateful for Heather’s heart and her encouraging, Christ-centered message.
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August 17, 2022Mixed feelings about this one.
August 31, 2024
This book is exactly the encouragement I needed in my season of pregnancy! I could not recommend it enough, and will probably read it every time I’m pregnant!
March 17, 2023
I love the overarching message of this book and its ideas and practices for "cultivating a vision of Christ-centered pregnancy" (especially in opposition to the common idea that pregnant women get a pass in all sorts of areas). There are tons of practical tips as well for making your pregnancy more comfortable.
That said, it wasn't a very helpful book for me (it is my 4th pregnancy, but I think even in my 1st it wouldn't have been), but if you're struggling to have an "expectant" attitude during pregnancy it would likely be more helpful and encouraging.
There were also a few areas that were quite lacking or just imbalanced, the primary one being the place of lament. I agree that we shouldn't be whiny or expect the world to revolve around us and our needs and comforts during pregnancy. The "I deserve this because I'm pregnant" attitude is so prevalent, so I appreciate Heather pushing back on it. When pregnancy is hard, there are times to just push through and change your attitude, but there are also times to lament. Likewise, there are times to physically push through fatigue, but there are times to rest (this is more balanced in her chapter on food, sleep, and exercise, but early on it wasn't).
A few other areas that needed more nuance: discussing sexual intimacy when you don't feel like it (this is a whole, huge conversation and not two paragraphs) and the chapter on fear--which in many ways was stellar and my favorite chapter in the book and why I decided to read it--but she does root it all in a lack of trust in God. Any fear is an opportunity to trust God more! But especially in the perinatal period, sometimes it's physiological and needs some other measures too.
Do I recommend Expectant? It depends! Holy Labor by Aubry Smith is still by far my favorite pregnancy book--though also not without caveats--but for an easier read, especially for a mom who wants to have a more positive outlook on pregnancy, I would suggest Expectant, though not without the above cautions. If a mom is struggling with a lot of grief and needs to lament rather than combat self-indulgence, I would probably steer her away from it.
That said, it wasn't a very helpful book for me (it is my 4th pregnancy, but I think even in my 1st it wouldn't have been), but if you're struggling to have an "expectant" attitude during pregnancy it would likely be more helpful and encouraging.
There were also a few areas that were quite lacking or just imbalanced, the primary one being the place of lament. I agree that we shouldn't be whiny or expect the world to revolve around us and our needs and comforts during pregnancy. The "I deserve this because I'm pregnant" attitude is so prevalent, so I appreciate Heather pushing back on it. When pregnancy is hard, there are times to just push through and change your attitude, but there are also times to lament. Likewise, there are times to physically push through fatigue, but there are times to rest (this is more balanced in her chapter on food, sleep, and exercise, but early on it wasn't).
A few other areas that needed more nuance: discussing sexual intimacy when you don't feel like it (this is a whole, huge conversation and not two paragraphs) and the chapter on fear--which in many ways was stellar and my favorite chapter in the book and why I decided to read it--but she does root it all in a lack of trust in God. Any fear is an opportunity to trust God more! But especially in the perinatal period, sometimes it's physiological and needs some other measures too.
Do I recommend Expectant? It depends! Holy Labor by Aubry Smith is still by far my favorite pregnancy book--though also not without caveats--but for an easier read, especially for a mom who wants to have a more positive outlook on pregnancy, I would suggest Expectant, though not without the above cautions. If a mom is struggling with a lot of grief and needs to lament rather than combat self-indulgence, I would probably steer her away from it.
January 14, 2025
Pregnancy is not about you, it’s about GOD.
I’m so glad that this is the first book I read as I go through my first pregnancy. I praise GOD for His leading to read this book.
It’s so humbling to be reminded that the pregnancy journey I’m in right now is not about me, it’s about GOD. It’s how I love and serve Him and others, despite the physical, mental, and emotional difficulties I’m dealing with while pregnant. The book encouraged me to live out John 3:30 to be less of myself, and more of GOD. It prompted me to check the state of my heart, that even in this season, my desire is to still be Christlike who loves, obeys and trusts in the LORD.
I’m so glad that this is the first book I read as I go through my first pregnancy. I praise GOD for His leading to read this book.
It’s so humbling to be reminded that the pregnancy journey I’m in right now is not about me, it’s about GOD. It’s how I love and serve Him and others, despite the physical, mental, and emotional difficulties I’m dealing with while pregnant. The book encouraged me to live out John 3:30 to be less of myself, and more of GOD. It prompted me to check the state of my heart, that even in this season, my desire is to still be Christlike who loves, obeys and trusts in the LORD.
September 3, 2024
This is a great book for a very young wife who is growing in maturity. If reading about marriage and pregnancy from a young woman will help you, this is the book for you.
Heather discusses her year-long road to pregnancy, difficulty with the fact she gained weight during pregnancy, and how her life changed with pregnancy and children.
Heather discusses the importance of eating healthfully during pregnancy and how to be hospitable even when you’re not feeling like it.
Heather discusses her year-long road to pregnancy, difficulty with the fact she gained weight during pregnancy, and how her life changed with pregnancy and children.
Heather discusses the importance of eating healthfully during pregnancy and how to be hospitable even when you’re not feeling like it.
August 10, 2021
Amazing book! Very gospel and scripture centered! I love how tackles so much of the cultural and inner sin battles faced in pregnancy while also being encouraging and practical! Highly recommend for first time and experienced mama’s alike!
March 6, 2021
Best Christian pregnancy book I've read, a great blend of theology and practical examples.
September 11, 2023
couldn’t recommend this book more 🤍 called me higher while also validating all of the thoughts/feelings about becoming a mom and navigating pregnancy
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews