Also by this author: What Are Hands For?, What Are Eyes For? Board Book, What Are Ears For? Board Book, What Are Feet For? Board Book
on September 2020
Genres: Non-Fiction, Christian Life, Devotional, Parenting
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Using Psalm 139, Abbey Wedgeworth walks alongside women suffering the heartbreak of miscarriage. Having experienced the sorrow of miscarriage herself, she acknowledges the isolation commonly felt and the impact that such an experience can have on faith.
The 31 biblical reflections in this beautiful and comforting book remind grieving women that God sees them, knows them, loves them, and is actively caring for them. These precious verses will show women that God can bring comfort, assurance, protection, and purpose in the very sorrow that they are experiencing.
Includes personal stories from other women who have had experience of early pregnancy loss, encouraging sufferers that they are not alone.
Experiencing a miscarriage can be one of the loneliest experiences a mother can go through. Even if the grief is shared—with friends, family, or the father—the loss for the mother is tangible in a way that it simply cannot be for anyone else. Miscarriages are rarely spoken about and, when they are, they are sometimes trivialized. This lack of open conversation and lack of acknowledgment of the depth of loss can be devastating. In Held, Abbey Wedgeworth offers readers thirty-one biblical reflection on God’s comfort and care in the sorrow of miscarriage.
In the midst of those 31 reflections are nine stories of miscarriage from various spiritual leaders. This balances the sense of personal reflection with a sense of community and solidarity. We can be comforted. We can feel God’s presence. But we can also share our sorrow and weep with others who have experienced a similar loss.
I’ve never experienced a miscarriage. My family has experienced two adoption losses, which is the nearest equivalent I can think of. A human being you thought would be a part of your family for the rest of life is suddenly absent. It’s a devastating loss. And for those outside of the trauma, the focus is often on healing. You’ll get pregnant again. God needed an angel. The Lord has his reasons. And seventy-five other unhelpful and hurtful phrases.
Held is a safe place that understands the trauma of child loss, miscarriage in particular. Wedgeworth provides words of comfort and healing and solidarity. Each devotion is four to five pages and takes as its main biblical inspiration some part of Psalm 139, though it also includes other readings. Each devotional also includes space to reflect through discussion questions, respond through prayer, and blank space to journal. I would consider it a go-to resource for those grieving the loss of miscarriage.
