When a woman is preparing for childbirth and motherhood, we often spend countless hours “nesting”– getting ready. If there is one peace of advice I would give a young mother-to-be… it would be to focus most on her relationship with the Lord. Prepare your heart, soul, mind and body for this spiritual blessing.
>> Free Download for Printing: Nesting in Knowledge
>> To purchase the books on the list: Go to Our Store
>> To view the document live with links: scroll down!
Nesting in Knowledge is a book and resource recommendation section that was edited out of the book for three reasons: 1) Length; 2) I wanted it to benefit more people (to offer it free); 3) So I can keep it updated more easily {if you find other God centered books or helpful preparation books, please feel free to email me so I can add it to the list.} This is not comprehensive because I didn’t want to overwhelm anyone; just the best of the best {by my standards and a few dear friends}
This book list was complied by a few of my closest friends and mentors… enjoy!
Nesting in Knowledge
My hope and prayer is that from reading Redeeming Childbirth each woman would be more equipped and empowered to embrace childbirth and experience God intimately during this season of preparation and life transitions. I want to offer a few book suggestions to those of you who want to really be challenged in your role as wife, mother, and woman of God.
Pregnancy is a season we should devote ourselves to preparing our hearts, minds, souls and lifestyles for motherhood. Our culture teaches us that in sometime in the third trimester or so we get this innate desire to “nest” or get prepared for the coming of our baby. This nesting period is often talked about with regard to purchasing items necessary for the birth and the baby and less with regard to the preparation of a mother’s heart, soul and mind. I believe that women deeply desire to nest mentally, emotionally and spiritually as well, but our medical profession doesn’t quite know how to approach it, so they usually don’t.
So in attempts to help equip women with knowledge, virtual mentoring, and tools to spiritually, mentally prepare for childbirth and motherhood, I have prepared a list of book recommendations.
Below are just a few books that can offer spiritual wisdom, guidance, and “virtual” mentoring. We all need to be intentional about our learning. We have a choice in how and what we think about. These brothers and sisters have generously taken a chance to serve others by sharing their heart and what they have learned in these books—there is so much we can learn from them and the lessons they have learned. May you be encouraged and draw nearer to the Lord as you glean wisdom from these brothers and sisters in Christ who have so beautifully written for our benefit and the glory of the Kingdom of God.
Suggestions for Intentional Learning:
Not everyone has the same learning style, but it is proven that if someone reads, listens, writes, and teaches what they have learned they are more likely to remember it and implement what they have learned. So I encourage you to be a student. Journal and take notes– it is a good studying skill. Many people think of journals as a place to write notes to yourself, to unwind, or for therapy. While those are all good and legitimate reasons to journal, so is logging the most important gleanings you have learned over the years. I don’t know how many of my blog posts have come from years past journal entries.
Personally, I view life as one big classroom. Everything we experience, hear, or read offers us the opportunity for learning and growth. We have a choice to live life fully engaged or not. Learning is part of living intentionally. I am indebted to all the authors I have read, mentors I have gleaned from and pastors/speakers I have listened to over the years. I would not be who I am today if I had not been inspired to seek the Lord more intimately by the example that many authors have given me. The wisdom, knowledge, insights and understanding as well as their personal life experiences have all impacted my life personally in one way or another.
We all have that choice to take life head on, intentionally learning… even us stay-at-home moms. We have the privilege and freedom to choose to read whatever we want and there are so many resources out there. We have the opportunity to teach our children by example what “a love for learning” really looks like as they see us engaged in learning and taking our life education seriously. We have an opportunity to teach our children what it looks like to be a student of life by sharing our gleanings with them. Leaving a Legacy of intentionality in learning and a pure love for learning are two of the greatest gifts a parent can give their child—it impacts generations. (Tip for teaching a love for learning: As you study a book– get out a journal– take notes. Then later read your children your notes to your children.)
I am very excited to share this {hopefully} helpful list of books that have blessed me, stretched me and encouraged me… so that you too may benefit from these writings as you embrace this season of preparation time before motherhood.
Book Recommendations:
Pregnancy/Childbirth books written from Christian Worldview:
Redeeming Childbirth by Angie Tolpin
Christian Woman’s Guide to Childbirth by Debra Evans
- Full of Scripture, checklists and childbirth through a solid Christian worldview
The Christian Childbirth Handbook by Jennifer Vanderlaan
- A great resource to coach women through the process of childbirth and what to expect from a Christian perspective
Naturally Healthy Pregnancy by Shonda Parker
- Which herbs are safe and which are dangerous during pregnancy, and the best ways to minimize those times of nausea and discomfort.
The Lord of Birth by Jennifer Vanderlaan
Other Great Resources (not Christian):
Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper (Great resource for WaterBirth)
Husband-Coached Childbirth by Robert A. Bradley
Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon
Online Childbirth Classes & Resources:
http://www.givingbirthnaturally.com/
http://www.bradleybirth.com/ (husband-coached childbirth classes)
http://www.gentlechristianmothers.com
http://www.birthingnaturally.net
http://www.blessingGodsway.com
Motherhood/Parenthood:
The Duties of Parents by J.C. Ryle
Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp
“Getting to the Heart of Parenting” on CD by Paul David Tripp.
Wise Words for Moms by Ginger Plowman
- “A handy quick-reference calendar style format Wise Words for Moms identifies 22 behavior problems in children (such as disobeying, lying and tattling) and offers examples of Scripture passages that help parents address heart issues.”
Raising Godly Tomatoes by Elizabeth Krueger
The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman
Mission of Motherhood: Touching Your Child’s Heart for Eternity by Sally Clarkson
Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches by Rachel Jankovic
Every Child Needs a Praying Mom by Fern Nichols
A Mother’s Heart: A Look at Values, Vision, and Character of the Christian Mother by Jean Fleming
One Million Arrows by Julie Ferwerda
Large Family Logistics by Brenneman
The Mission Minded Family by Ann Dunagan
Doorposts Bible Based Training Materials
Breastfeeding & Fertility:
Breastfeeding and Fertility by Jenny Sillman (Responsive Breastfeeding)
Naturally Knocked Up by Donielle Baker
Homeopathy:
Homeopathy by Alan V.Schmukler
Dr. Mom by Ruth
Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year by Susan S. Weed
Women’s Encouragement/Marriage:
Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
The God- Empowered Wife by Karen Haught
What Did You Expect?? by Paul David Tripp
Love & Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
Inspiration Books:
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
Womanly Dominion: More Than a Gentle and Quiet Spirit by Mark Chanski
Becoming a Titus 2 Woman by Martha Peace
Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney (Titus 2)
Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper
As you prepare your heart for motherhood and your marriage for parenthood remember, while these books are very insightful and nothing compares to the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord that is available for free in His word. Your relationship with the Lord will grow directly proportionate to how much time you put into it. Only the Word of God can transform and renew our minds, filling us up with the Holy Spirit and bringing us closer to him.
Some of the books in the “childbirth” category are not Christian inspiration books. I found them extremely helpful in preparing and planning for birth but I do feel the need to tell you that they are not “Christian” books like the other lists.
I tried to keep this list as small as possible so as not to overwhelm you. I have many more book recommendations and over the years may add to this list, but wanted to offer a medium sized list. God bless on your journey of “Nesting in Knowledge.”
This list was compiled by between a few friends and myself. I want to especially thank Lindsay Edmonds @ PassionateHomemaking.com and Kristi Knifong @ FaithfulatHome.com for their contributions to this section.
