Book Review: Cradle My Heart

Cradle My Heart: Finding God's Love After Abortion by Kim Ketola

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

About the Book: 

Abortion continues to be a hot topic in politics, women’s rights, and medical practice. But for the eight to ten million American Christian women who have had one, abortion is a spiritual issue as well, raising questions of life and death, heaven and hell, grief and loss.

Writing from her own experience, Kim Ketola sheds light on one of the darkest and most neglected personal issues of our time: the widespread need for healing and spiritual recovery after abortion. “After abortion brought the worst trouble into my life I had ever known,” writes Ketola, “I just couldn’t see my way free to believe in God’s love.” 

With a compassionate heart, Ketola offers ten true stories of healing promises from the Bible to help women answer the most common spiritual torments they face: Is abortion a sin? Does God hate me? Where can I turn in my shame and distress? How could I ever tell anyone the truth? And more.

Inspired by Romans 6:4--“just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life"--this is a definitive resource to help women see themselves and God anew and--finally--to find spiritual healing.

My Thoughts:

I will say up front that although I was glad to be able to be a part of this tour, I have never had an abortion. To some, this may disqualify anything I have to say about the matter beyond this point. I would ask you to hear me out. Although I have never had a deliberate abortion, I have had to bear the loss of a child that would have been. In my opinion, many of the thoughts and feelings between those who have had abortions and miscarriages are shared. While it may not be on the same level in some regards, I think many of us share feelings of guilt and sorrow and pain that can be overwhelming at times. Additionally, the abortion issue is a heated one on both sides and I feel that pro-lifers need to be understanding and sympathetic to these women and a book like that can help everyone better understand the pain that faces them after abortion. 

Speaking from her own personal experiences, the author lays out a compassionate and empathetic groundwork for those struggling to overcome their feelings and find their way to God's redeeming love. Not only does she share relevant, thought-provoking stories from the Bible, but at the end of each chapter, she follow up with questions for reflection, prayer time and ways that you can take the next step forward in your healing. 

Cradle My Heart is a great book for anyone who has a heart for the issue of abortion. 

You can purchase a copy of Cradle My Heart by going here. 

About the Author:

Kim Ketola is a sought-after writer and motivational speaker with the Ruth Graham and Friends conference. After thirty years in the broadcasting industry, she founded a nonprofit organization through which she presents professionally accredited conferences to equip counselors and help individuals recover from the emotional and spiritual wounds of abortion. Kim lives in Atlanta, Georgia.  

Visit her website: www.cradlemyheart.org

In coordination with the launch of their fall releases, Kregel will be hosting a live webcast event on September 20 at 8 PM EDT featuring authors Kim Ketola (Cradle My Heart), Teske Drake (Hope for Today, Promises for Tomorrow), and Dawn Scott Jones (When a Woman You Love Was Abused). The webcast will allow women to come together to share their struggles and fears in order to move toward healing and hope. Women will able to support one another and discuss shared experiences in a non-threatening, open and loving environment. 

Cat Hoort of Kregel says, ""We are seeking to provide safe means for Christian women to be vulnerable with each other, to seek help and guidance from authors and counselors, and to find encouragement from those who have shared similar experiences. Our hope is that the Women Redeemed webcast will become a forum for hurting women as well as for those who can help. Kim, Teske, and Dawn are all survivors and their stories will surely inspire and equip other women to move toward healing and hope."

To register for the event, just click here.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book as part of the Litfuse Blog Tour in exchange for my review, but all opinions are 100% my own.