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Meditations for the New Mother: A Devotional Book for the New Mother
Helen Good Brenneman created this unique devotional book to meet the need for a sustaining faith and a quiet confidence in God when a new baby arrives. Daily meditations for the first 30 days strengthen and inspire new moms for the lifelong task of motherhood.
While the cover has been updated, the interior content purposely retains the original language and beautiful sentiments of the original author.
The Meditations series will appeal especially to traditional parents and mothers with a strong faith background who endeavor to raise their families in positive ways.
While the cover has been updated, the interior content purposely retains the original language and beautiful sentiments of the original author.
The Meditations series will appeal especially to traditional parents and mothers with a strong faith background who endeavor to raise their families in positive ways.
140 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1953
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 8, 2022
I really enjoyed this, as it felt like a true devotional/ meditation, not an in-depth study. It made me thankful for my stage of life, the incredible opportunity I have to be a mother at home with my kids, and the responsibility I have to raise my children. Recommend for any mother, not just the new one!
Some favorite quotes:
“For it is by giving that one receives,
It is by self-forgetting that one finds,
It is by dying that one awakens to eternal life” - St Francis of Assisi
“Lord, if their guide I still must be,
Oh, let the little children see
The teacher leaning hard on thee” - Leslie Pinckney Hill
Some favorite quotes:
“For it is by giving that one receives,
It is by self-forgetting that one finds,
It is by dying that one awakens to eternal life” - St Francis of Assisi
“Lord, if their guide I still must be,
Oh, let the little children see
The teacher leaning hard on thee” - Leslie Pinckney Hill
November 30, 2022
A delightful, short, easy read that is filled with beautiful truths, reminders and encouragements. I read this over my first 30 days postpartum and it was very helpful and impactful for that time. I think any mother would benefit from reading this at any point. Will definitely revisit this book over the years.
August 7, 2022
My dear aunt presented this collection to my mom in 1987 before my brother was born; my mom found it and shared it with me while I was pregnant with my son. These 30 devotions - the author’s musings along with quotes, scripture, and prayers - are sweet, meaningful, encouraging, and deeply insightful. Written in 1953, these meditations reach through the threads of history to capture the essence of the timeworn realities and mysteries of motherhood: the fragility, the exhaustion, the significance, the connectedness, the effort, and the rewards. Every page is just as relevant today as the day it was written.
I wish I had read each devotion in those first tender days when my son was born, but it’s never too late! This is what I need to be reading instead of mindlessly scrolling Instagram where its easier to consume numbness than be filled with the strength of the Spirit to be empowered to do the honorable job of mothering a child. I want to re-read these pages and prayers on hard days and mundane days and days my cup is overflowing, so that I will be reminded of the grace of God in the precious gift of a child, His mercies that I am dependent on as a mother, and the nearness of the Heavenly Father that I can lean into as a daughter of God. Tip: Keep the tissues nearby.
He Teaches You
”He’s greater far, that little child, than you;
The very child you teach, he teaches you.
‘You teach him to be Christlike, but have you
Forgotten he already is, far more than you?
You teach him right from wrong, and yet it’s he
Not you, whose consciousness is more clear and free.
You teach him to trust in God, but can’t you see
That it is you who lack trust more than he?
For you find doubt and reason in your way
While he in simple faith believes straightaway.
You teach him to forgive, but don’t you know
That he forgives in half the time you do?
And he, when he forgives, at once forgets;
But you? You struggle long with grudge and debts.
You try to teach him to love. You can’t. You cry,
“My child, you are the teacher, and not I!”
‘So learn from him, be like him, you who teach.
You most, Christ says, if heaven you would reach.”
-Ida Boyer Bontrager
I wish I had read each devotion in those first tender days when my son was born, but it’s never too late! This is what I need to be reading instead of mindlessly scrolling Instagram where its easier to consume numbness than be filled with the strength of the Spirit to be empowered to do the honorable job of mothering a child. I want to re-read these pages and prayers on hard days and mundane days and days my cup is overflowing, so that I will be reminded of the grace of God in the precious gift of a child, His mercies that I am dependent on as a mother, and the nearness of the Heavenly Father that I can lean into as a daughter of God. Tip: Keep the tissues nearby.
He Teaches You
”He’s greater far, that little child, than you;
The very child you teach, he teaches you.
‘You teach him to be Christlike, but have you
Forgotten he already is, far more than you?
You teach him right from wrong, and yet it’s he
Not you, whose consciousness is more clear and free.
You teach him to trust in God, but can’t you see
That it is you who lack trust more than he?
For you find doubt and reason in your way
While he in simple faith believes straightaway.
You teach him to forgive, but don’t you know
That he forgives in half the time you do?
And he, when he forgives, at once forgets;
But you? You struggle long with grudge and debts.
You try to teach him to love. You can’t. You cry,
“My child, you are the teacher, and not I!”
‘So learn from him, be like him, you who teach.
You most, Christ says, if heaven you would reach.”
-Ida Boyer Bontrager
October 22, 2019
THIS is a good devotion book for new mothers! my mom gave me hers and I'll pass it on to the next generation or the next new mom.
October 20, 2020
Sharing this devotional book with my niece. My brother gave me this book when I had my first child, and now his daughter just had a baby. Another miracle here on earth. xo
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April 15, 2023(gift for Lee)
January 12, 2013
This book consists of lovely devotions/prayers/poems/readings for a new mother to help her get through the first month (although it took me 2 months to finish). Its broken up into 3 parts. First part includes readings for "Thanksgiving for the child", second part includes "Meditations for the Child" and the third part is "Our responsibility to the child". I espcially liked the verses from day 29 which give you courage for the day including Joshua 1:9, Ephesians 6:4, John 17:3, Ephesians 6:13-17 and Matthew 28:20.
April 17, 2015
Do you know someone who is expecting a baby? Do you need encouragement as you mother a very young child? Helen Good Brenneman's devotional for Christian mothers provides brief and thoughtful scripture reflections, prayers, and gentle reminders. For my complete review see my blog.
July 10, 2015
Overall a pretty nice, quick read full of inspiration for new mothers. It includes Bible passages, poems, quotes, etc. Would recommend this book to new Christian mothers.
*I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway and have shared my unbiased review to show my appreciation to Goodreads, the author, and publisher.*
*I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway and have shared my unbiased review to show my appreciation to Goodreads, the author, and publisher.*
March 29, 2010
Somewhat sentimental devotional book for new mothers. I read it when both Grace and Luke were born.
November 9, 2015
Sweet, vintage devotional for the first month of having a new baby.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews