“This is a helpful little book of 90 devotionals of only 2 pages for each day. It
focuses on many aspects of infertility and its impact on those going through it.
A particular strength is that it is designed for both men and women – so can
profitably be used by couples. It is further helped by having a wide range of
contributors, so it does not become reliant on ‘one story’.
The early chapters concentrate on the feeling that ‘something is wrong’ through
to having a diagnosis of infertility – with a strong focus on the difficulty of
trusting God in the darkness of the initial struggle with the belief that the desired
goal isn’t happening.These early chapters are very honest about the feeling of
personal wants and feelings of failure. There is also a recognition of the weight
that the lack of children can place on a relationship. Indeed, this can grow after
the diagnosis – when one partner can feel that they are to ‘blame’.
The book has a number of very helpful devotions dealing with feelings of
jealousy and fear. That feeling of being unable to be truly happy for others, the
fear, increasing with time, that this is a permanent situation – and, interestingly,
a worry for the future, that having no children could mean no care in a lonely old
age.
The book has a very clear focus on the loving nature of God and the fact that the
Christian ultimately finds his/her identity in Christ – rather than in family, job or
anything else.
While the book is very helpful in many ways there is a slight reservation in
wholeheartedly recommending it to every couple.
There is a very strong emphasis on the challenges found during fertility
treatment cycles – especially of IVF. This limits the usefulness of some chapters
to those who have chosen not to pursue such treatment.
That said, there is a lot of helpful material in these 180 pages. To hear the voices
of those who have struggled with the lack of the family that they had hoped and
dreamed of, but who have learned to keep trusting their God in all circumstances
and developed contentment, is very encouraging. This would benefit those for
whom infertility is something they are continuing to struggle with – or those who
have had to accept its permanent reality.”