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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Counting Grains of Sand: a book review

by Chautona Havig · 24 Comments

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.

counting grains of sand: review

(note: links in this post may be affiliate links which will give me a small commission for the Denny’s fund at no additional cost to you!  Thanks!)

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.

counting grains of sand

So what did I think?

counting grains of sandOkay, 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.

counting grains of sand

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.

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Filed Under: Book Reviews, Devotional, New Release

Previous Post: « Kaye Is a Fraud: Where Kaye’s Clutter Hides
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Comments

  1. JJ says

    January 21, 2017 at 9:10 pm

    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.

    Reply
  2. Tina at Mommynificent says

    January 19, 2017 at 7:58 pm

    Wow! I wouldn’t have picked this one up, but you’ve convinced me. Looking forward to reading it!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      January 19, 2017 at 9:28 pm

      I kind of blinked. Twice. When they offered me an ARC. But I decided to go for it. SO. Glad. I. Did.

      Reply
  3. Jessica White says

    January 19, 2017 at 5:59 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      January 19, 2017 at 9:29 pm

      I’ll be reading more. Definitely.

      Reply
  4. Joanna Nissley says

    January 19, 2017 at 4:33 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      January 19, 2017 at 9:30 pm

      That’s next on my list. I suspect she has more lessons to teach me.

      Reply
  5. Angelica Barnard says

    January 19, 2017 at 3:48 pm

    I haven’t read anything by her but it does sound interesting

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      January 19, 2017 at 9:30 pm

      I actually teared up in spots. I NEVER tear up.

      Reply
  6. Lynn Nood says

    January 19, 2017 at 3:42 pm

    I’ve read some of”Christmas!” and all of “Pain Redeemed”.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      January 19, 2017 at 9:31 pm

      We know how much I LOVE Christmas!

      Reply
  7. Elisabeth Adams says

    January 19, 2017 at 11:20 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      January 19, 2017 at 3:32 pm

      I plan to purchase several copies!

      Reply
  8. Peggy Lago says

    January 19, 2017 at 10:55 am

    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!

    Reply
  9. Carrie says

    January 19, 2017 at 10:46 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      January 19, 2017 at 3:34 pm

      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.

      Reply
  10. Emma says

    January 19, 2017 at 10:18 am

    I’ve never read anything by her, but it sounds like the kind of lesson God has been trying to teach me lately.

    Reply
  11. Courtney says

    January 19, 2017 at 7:16 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      January 19, 2017 at 11:12 am

      This book is so much more than dealing with infertility. That utter surrender to the L ord. It’s beautiful.

      Reply
  12. Ava says

    January 19, 2017 at 6:49 am

    I’ve never heard of her. Sounds like a great book.

    Reply
  13. Sarah A says

    January 19, 2017 at 6:05 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      January 19, 2017 at 11:11 am

      I’m praying for you. I can’t relate, but I can weep with and for you.

      Reply
  14. Amanda C says

    January 19, 2017 at 5:34 am

    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!

    Reply
  15. Sarah K says

    January 19, 2017 at 4:26 am

    Natasha Metzler is a new author to me. Thanks for the review/recommendation of her book. I can’t wait to read it.

    Reply

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Episode 448: A Chat with Nancy Naigle
byChautona Havig

 I fell in love with Nancy’s writing with The Shell Collector. Imagine my joy when I discovered she has a SEQUEL! Eeep! Listen in and discover which characters you’ll find in To Light the Way Forward and what’s coming next for one of America’s favorite authors!

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

It’s been three years since Nancy and I had a chance to talk, and in that time, she’s been BUSY.  So in addition to falling in love with her character, Tug, and wanting to give him his own story, she’s written a small-town duet (and maybe we talked her into a third?) as well as a romcom duo!  Think we can talk her into a third of that series as well?  Because… SPOILER ALERT… we’re getting a third Shell Collector Series book, too! EEEP!

To Light the Way Forward by Nancy Naigle

A novel of overcoming deep loss, taking risks, and learning that life—and love—often surprises you when you least expect it, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Shell Collector. “Bringing to life characters you can’t help but fall in love with, Nancy Naigle goes straight to the heart with this story of tragedy turned to triumph. A poignant reminder to never give up hope.”—Sheila Roberts, author of The Best Life Book Club Feeling adrift after the loss of her husband, Rosemary sets out to visit an old friend on Whelk’s Island, undeterred by the threat of a hurricane. Before the storm hits, she finds herself at Tug’s Diner where she quickly connects with the owner, Tug. But the storm destroys the diner, compounding Tug’s grief from losing his love the previous year. The longer Rosemary stays, the more she sees Tug’s deep sadness and resolves to help him. Together with Tug and friends Amanda and Paul, they all pitch in to help the close-knit community recover and rebuild. As Amanda and Paul reconnect after losing touch during the storm, their plans to take things slow seem increasingly impractical. While Rosemary and Tug help the young couple navigate their relationship, they also find themselves building a friendship that begins to restore them both. But can that friendship convince them that love is possible for anyone who’s willing to take a risk—even those who never hoped they’d find it again?

Learn more about Nancy on her WEBSITEand follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

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