When I received the invitation to review Counting Grains of Sand by Natasha Metzler, I wasn’t quite sure what to think. I’ve never read anything by her, I usually stick to fiction on my blog, and really, what do I know about infertility?
I’m glad I listened to what I think was the prompting of the Holy Spirit. That’s all I can say. This book… it touched my life in a deep, real, and beautiful way.
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Publisher’s synopsis:
How do you delight in a God-Who-Speaks-Promises when those promises seem as distant as the stars in the sky?
Holding onto faith when everything is falling apart is a difficult task at best. Drawing from Scripture and her own personal walk through sorrow, the author of Counting Grains of Sand leads you through a journey of discovering the Lord’s kindness, even from the middle of loss.
Counting Grains of Sand takes a real look at faith, hope, and trust in the face of loss, heartache, and incredible joy.
So what did I think?
Okay, so what can a mother of nine learn from the story of one woman’s journey to total surrender through infertility?
I don’t know how to explain it really. I tried to start by defining Metzler’s book into a genre and couldn’t. It’s not a memoir. But it is. It’s not a devotional. But it is. It’s not generic “Christian Life” on the Christian bookstore shelf. But it fits there–perfectly.
I’ll go out on a limb here. I don’t even think this book is just for women. This book touches on the deepest need of every Christian–that total surrender to the Lord. It reaches out from a woman who has been there in those deep, gut-wrenching trenches of pain and resistance and offers a Kleenex, a squeeze of the hand. A prayer with you instead of just for you.
The book takes you through the author’s painful infertility journey and, in that journey, shows you the beautiful, heart-filling love of a doting Abba.
But it doesn’t stop there. Metzler does this by showing us that God cares so much about these deep desires that not only does He make these enormous promises to us, He keeps those promises even when we make a mess of them.
Why will you like it?
This book is written in an approachable, conversational style that serves only to make the author and her message seem more approachable. Somehow, don’t ask me to explain how she made it work, Metzler took the stories, shared them in and out of order, and still kept you from feeling lost. Instead, they wove a beautiful thread of hope, faith, and trust in the love and provision of a loving Father.
Do I recommend it? Completely. In fact, I encourage you to read it. I’ll be reading this several times. I may not seem like the target audience for this book–a book that focuses on the grief that comes with infertility–but I promise you, I am. So are you.
To learn more, visit Natasha Metzler’s WEBSITE. It’s full of beautiful stories.
I have not read any works by this author, but I do enjoy memoirs, devotionals, and books on the Christian life. I’m intrigued and would love to read this book.
Wow! I wouldn’t have picked this one up, but you’ve convinced me. Looking forward to reading it!
I kind of blinked. Twice. When they offered me an ARC. But I decided to go for it. SO. Glad. I. Did.
Natasha has a fantastic way with words…whether it’s touching on God’s working or making the reader laugh. I’ve read all of her books, and they have all been fantastic! Haven’t read this one yet, but I will.
I’ll be reading more. Definitely.
i purchased pain redeemed as a gift, & while i read a bit before giving it, i was sad that i wasn’t able to read it all. natasha is one of my very favorite bloggers esp. since our journeys are so similar. would love to win her book, & i’m sure i’d be incredibly blessed by it!
That’s next on my list. I suspect she has more lessons to teach me.
I haven’t read anything by her but it does sound interesting
I actually teared up in spots. I NEVER tear up.
I’ve read some of”Christmas!” and all of “Pain Redeemed”.
We know how much I LOVE Christmas!
Yes, I read and loved Pain Redeemed. Even though it was about infertility, it spoke to the pain of prolonged singleness. And as an advance reader, I think I’ve gone through Counting Grains of Sand four times now! It’s amazing (and yet not amazing, considering the Who) how many of the lessons are the same ones God has been teaching me in my very different circumstances…and needed to be reminded of! I’d love to have a physical copy to lend or give to friends.
I plan to purchase several copies!
First of all, yes i have read Natasha Metzlers book, Pain Redeemed, which was wonderful and also really touches the heart. I am looking forward to reading her newest book, so i would LOVE to win one! Thanks for sharing this positive review!
I’ve heard of her, but I don’t think I’ve read anything by her. I have several friends who have struggled with infertility…I would love to read this book even though that’s not a journey I have walked personally. Thanks for the review!
It’s so much more. I didn’t think it would be super applicable to me but I thought I would at least learn how to sympathize etc. NOPE. This book is for anyone, man, woman, child.
I’ve never read anything by her, but it sounds like the kind of lesson God has been trying to teach me lately.
The end of your first paragraph made me laugh out loud. I’ve never read anything by Natalie but I’m interested in the book! I’m infertile (with six kids who came home to us from Ukraine) so I’m sure I could relate to her book.
This book is so much more than dealing with infertility. That utter surrender to the L ord. It’s beautiful.
I’ve never heard of her. Sounds like a great book.
I haven’t read anything by Natasha Metzler. Infertility is happening to me and my husband. Its heartbreaking and often feels lonely because so many people around us have babies wirh seemingly little or no problems. I beg God to take the desire for kids away from me, if he is always going to say no, because it is so heavy and sorrowful. Being deeply disappointed every month, year wears on a person. I long to have biological children. I trust God. It is hard to live with infertility. I will definitely be getting the book and probably devouring it amidst many tears. Thank you for writing your review.
I’m praying for you. I can’t relate, but I can weep with and for you.
I have never read anything by her but, while I have never suffered with infertility my life has been touched by many who do. I would love to read this!
Natasha Metzler is a new author to me. Thanks for the review/recommendation of her book. I can’t wait to read it.