Groaning in Labor, Growing in Hope

Jessica Mannen Kimmet is a freelance writer and liturgical musician. Formerly a full-time college campus minister working primarily in music and liturgy, she now spends most of her time raising her three young sons. She holds a BA in theology and music theory and a master of divinity, both from the University of Notre Dame. Her writing has appeared on Grotto Network and in Liturgical Press’s popular Living Liturgy series.

Contents 

Acknowledgments    vii
Introduction    1

Part I: Seeds of Healing    9
    Chapter 1: Groaning in Labor (Rom 8:22-24a)    11
    Chapter 2: A New Heart (Ezek 36:26-27)    16
    Chapter 3: Wait for God (Ps 42:6)    22

Part II: Companions in the Sorrow    27
    Chapter 4: All She Had (Mark 12:42-44)    29
    Chapter 5: Woman, Why Are You Weeping? (John 20:15-16)    34
    Chapter 6: A Sword Will Pierce (Luke 2:33-35)    38
    Chapter 7: Take the Child and His Mother (Matt 2:13-15)    44

Part III: Practical Strategies    49
    Chapter 8: Everything That Has Breath (Ps 150:6)    51
    Chapter 9: Wonderfully Made (Ps 139:13-14)    57 
    Chapter 10: Speak to the Earth (Job 12:7-10)    63
    Chapter 11: Give You Rest (Matt 11:28-30)    67
    Closing Benediction: All Things New (Rev 21:3-5a)    71

Appendix    75
    A. Lectio Divina for Moms    75
    B. Briefer Scriptures for Overwhelming Times    77
    C. A Litany of Saints for Postpartum Struggles    79
    D. Other Resources    85