You are too exhausted to think, never mind pray, your home is a mess and you can't find your Bible ... 'Soul Food' will nourish you through your baby's first year, offering inspirational and practical ideas for applying God's word and incorporating prayer into your daily life. It won't make you feel guilty about the time or energy you simply don't have. With honesty and humour, the authors draw upon their own, and others', experiences of motherhood. The result is both delightful and unusual. Succinct, accessible, weekly biblical reflections. A lifeline for every mother with a new baby.

Autorentext

Lucinda van der Hart is a freelance journalist in Harrow, London. She is married to Will, a vicar, and they have two children. Will and Lucinda are authors of The Pregnancy Book: Spiritual Survival for First Time Parents

Inhalt

Contents
Foreword 12
Preface 14
Introduction 16
Month 1: Carried by God 20
Week 1: Our creator God 20
Week 2: The God who watches over us 24
Week 3: Light in the darkness 28
Week 4: Nourishing your baby 32
Profile 1: Focus: Tiredness 36
Month 2: A Season of Change 38
Week 1: Baby first 38
Week 2: A new family member 42
Week 3: Identity shift 46
Week 4: Patience in the storm 50
Month 3: Letting Go 54
Week 1: Gina Ford versus The Baby Whisperer 54
Week 2: Feeling alone 58
Week 3: Embracing imperfection 62
Week 4: 'I feel like a bad mum' 66
Month 4: Relationship Shake-up 70
Week 1: Investing in your marriage 70
Week 2: Nurturing friendships 74
Week 3: A new season with your parents 78
Week 4: A sense of self 82
Profile 2: Focus: Post-natal depression 86
Month 5: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made 88
Week 1: Finding treasure 88
Week 2: Getting to know your baby 92
Week 3: God with you through your child's suffering 96
Week 4: God working in your child's life 100
Month 6: Re-establishing Life Patterns 104
Week 1: Taking stock 104
Week 2: Time for time out 108
Week 3: A hospitable home 112
Week 4: What's your maths? 116
Month 7: Exploring Your Baby's World 120
Week 1: The power of story 120
Week 2: A childlike faith 124
Week 3: Adventure or fear? 128
Week 4: Through your baby's eyes 132
Month 8: Making Decisions 136
Week 1: Listening to God 136
Week 2: To work or not to work? 140
Week 3: Trusting God with your money 144
Week 4: The Proverbs 31 mum 148
Profile 3: Focus: Adoption 152
Month 9: Looking Outside Your World 154
Week 1: Servant-heartedness 154
Week 2: Loving and learning from those who are different 158
Week 3: Mum and evangelist 162
Week 4: Seeing the bigger picture 166
Month 10: Learning to Parent 170
Week 1: Loving your child 170
Week 2: Laying foundations for parenting 174
Week 3: Walking with the wise 178
Week 4: Reflecting on your own childhood 182
Month 11: Growing in Character and Confidence 186
Week 1: Mothers in the Bible: Hannah 186
Week 2: Mothers in the Bible: Jochebed 190
Week 3: Mothers in the Bible: Rebekah 194
Week 4: Mothers in the Bible: The mother of James and John 198
Month 12: Celebrating God's Faithfulness 202
Week 1: Reflecting on the past year 202
Week 2: Let's celebrate 206
Week 3: Being part of a global family 210
Week 4: Looking to the future 214
Profile 4: Focus: Looking ahead 218
Your notes 220
Notes 222
Appendix: Resources 228