Over the last year I received calls and read messages that started with, “We have some news.” I always catch my breath as I wait for the new, heart-brimming parents to share their joy in “expecting.” A new baby, a new life, given to a growing family with the promise that everyone will “grow.” I love these conversations!
There is nothing quite like the sweet wonder of finding out a new life is on the way. The minute those lines appear on the test, a whirlwind of preparation begins. We choose nursery colors, research the safest strollers, and marvel at the weekly physical milestones of the tiny life growing within us.
But as I looked back on my own journey of becoming a mommy, and as I’ve walked alongside so many women in this unique season, my heart was deeply moved by a quiet reality: while a mother’s body is doing the miraculous work of physically growing a baby, God is doing an equally miraculous work inside her soul. That is exactly the inspiration that led me to write EXPECTANT: Faith Encouragement & Grace for New and Expectant Moms. I wanted to create a soft place for a mother’s heart to land—a daily companion rooted in God’s Word to help women trade anxious expectations for His steady promises.
Going Deeper, Step by Baby Step
Pregnancy is a time of immense transition, and let’s be honest—it also brings its share of unexpected challenges and silent pressures. It is easy to get caught up in counting the days or checking off to-do lists. And then there’s managing all of the well-intended opinions and ideas. Yet, the core truth I hope every mother holds close is this:
“Pregnancy isn’t just about marking months of physical change while expanding to carry a baby. It’s about growing our heart to carry motherhood for the years to come.”
Philippians 4 gently reminds us not to be anxious about anything. God is incredibly intentional to prepare the mama as He shapes the new life within her. As a woman’s body changes, she can rest in the truth that He expands her capacity for grace, love, and a deep peace. This anchors her heart, not just for nine months, but for a lifetime of parenting.
To help women find peace when things don’t go according to plan, EXPECTANT offers 40 devotions that culminate in a special section called “Words to Grow Your Heart.” These practical tools aren’t homework. They are loving invitations to sit with God, pause, breathe, and release tight expectations into His hands.
Wrapping New Mothers in Grace
Surely, motherhood was never meant to be walked alone. Supporting a growing family is a beautiful, communal vocation. EXPECTANT unfolds in four parts:
- Part One: You – Feeling Your Changes & Strengthening Your Heart
- Part Two: Other Grown Ups – Staying in Love & Nurturing Your Relationships
- Part Three: Baby – Designing the Nursery & Building the Future
- Part Four: The New Normal – Managing Motherhood & Habits You Can Live With
So, if you wonder how to use this devotional to bless women in your life, consider these ways to share the gift of encouragement:
- For Husbands: Sneak a copy onto her nightstand with a handwritten note. Let her know you are praying for her as she prepares to become a mom.
- For Baby Showers: Pair adorable, tiny onesies with a gift focused entirely on the mother’s soul. Build her up as she steps into this sacred calling.
- For Godparents and Grandmothers: Gift it as a token of your commitment to spiritually anchor her and the baby in prayer.
- For Ministry Leaders: Use it as an anchor resource for moms’ small groups or parish meal-train ministries to wrap new families in encouragement.
Finally, if you are a new mama navigating this beautiful wonder, or a loved one wanting to say, “I see you, and I want to pour into your soul,” my prayer is that EXPECTANT meets you right where you are. Turn these nine months into a season of going deeper with the One who holds our future in His hands.
Get a copy of EXPECTANT here to give to a new or expectant mom in your life.
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