Monday's Musing: Pain Redeemed (Book Review)

for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.  - Nehemiah 8:10b (KJV)

When Natasha Metzler offered a preview of her new book Pain Redeemed {when our deepest sorrows meet God} I jumped at the chance. I often read her blog and something about Natasha's writing style intrigues me. Somehow she masterfully mixes the sometimes tragic gruesomeness of authentic farm life with the majestic glory of God's creation.

Pain Redeemed is Natasha's personal story of heartache and redemption through God. At the age of nineteen Natasha was told by her doctor that there was a strong chance she would never have a child of her own. This is the story of desperation. The story of anger. The story of a breaking heart. This is Natasha's story of the unborn child she lost, and most importantly the story of how God can bring us through anything.

"To trust simply means recognizing that there are miracles and there are sorrows and God is good."

Anyone who has desperately wanted God to fix something in their lives can relate to Natasha's story. It doesn't matter if your need is a child to hold, health for a loved-one, your financial situation, restoration of a marriage - anything that has made you cry out to God to just fix the situation right now, you will see yourself in this book. 

I felt somewhat guilty while reading Natasha's story because of where I had the time to read it - sitting in the pick-up line at my son's school each day. Natasha fully understands what my pain is though - unlike her I was wonderfully blessed with one child of my own, but one is never enough. She knows that even if she were blessed with a child that she would still ache for more. She is right. I am proof of that.

"Another painful, honest truth: If I'm not okay without a child, I never will be with one."

This is the book that lets you know that you're not alone in your struggles with life. Everyone's struggle is different, but yet we all still feel the same pain of heartbreak. And just like with Natasha, God is with us every painful step of the way. We only have to learn how to cast our burdens on Him.

Linking up with these glorious blogs!

**Please note that highlighted areas with quotes are direct quotations
from the book Pain Redeemed.**