Cradled by Grace—Introduction

1. Introduction

I became a first-time mom at 31. My husband, Ivan, and I had been married for a few years. We had established careers and leadership roles in church. We had faith, love and peace in our home. We thought we were ready.

While I was pregnant, I read several books about pregnancy and birth so I could understand what was happening to my body and prepare for labour and delivery. I even gave Ivan a humorous book about the husband’s role.

The first month of motherhood I cried a lot. The things I was told to do—set up the crib, install the car seat, buy the baby clothes—didn't actually prepare me for what it was like to become a mom. I was overwhelmed and exhausted, and convinced I wasn’t a good enough mom for my baby. 

In my anguish, I wondered, does God see me and understand what I’m going through? I knew I couldn’t be the only first-time mom who wrestled with this question. I wanted to find comfort and refuge in Scripture, but I didn’t know where to look. My online search came up empty—I couldn't find any Christian resources specifically for first-time moms. 

I didn’t grow up going to church. I became an atheist in high school. As a new believer at 25, I spent more time serving than I did reading Scripture. Becoming a mom made me realize how much I needed God and how little I knew His Word.

A few years later, when my children were no longer babies, God called me to write the book I desperately wanted to read back then. What started as scribbles in a notebook eventually became the resource you have in your hands.

Cradled by Grace is a collection of honest, relatable stories from my first year of motherhood, tracing the journey from miscarriage to the birth of my second child. My hope is that you will find common ground, even if your experiences look different than mine. I follow every story with a deep dive into Scripture, exploring the connection between first-time motherhood and the stories of mothers in the Bible and the life of Jesus. Each chapter closes with reflection questions and a prayer of encouragement.

This book uses the New International Version. As you read, I encourage you to open your Bible and follow along to see the stories in context. 

I don’t talk too much about my husband in this book. Ivan is a man of deep faith, a wonderful husband and a devoted father. I love him so much, but I can't pretend to understand what it was like for Ivan to become a first-time dad. We often joke that he should write a book about it. Maybe he will now. 

As a first-time mom, you’ve got plenty of books and people in your life willing and able to share how-to’s and guidance for motherhood. Instead of adding to that chorus, Cradled by Grace seeks to offer more than advice by speaking directly to your first-time mom’s heart in deep and profound ways. May every chapter bring you closer and closer to the truth that God loves you.

I’m glad we’re on this motherhood journey together.