I first learned about the new book No Less Blessed: Seeking God in the Wilderness of Infertility and Childlessness when I saw a social media post by the author Erica F. Mitchell. We corresponded a few times and she offered to let me read her book before it was released. I was honored!

Before I began reading her manuscript, I learned a little bit about Erica. I felt so grateful to that she is speaking up and writing on these topics. Some infertility authors and bloggers encourage the reader that one day you WILL become a mother. While I believe that miracles CAN happen and I could tell you countless stories of women becoming moms after they thought it was impossible or too late, I’m also very aware that not every woman longing for motherhood will become a mother. That is the painful reality of life in this fallen world. I’m walking alongside Facebook friends and real-life friends approaching 50th birthdays with an empty womb and empty arms. I’m listening to those who are processing the possibility that they will never become a mother here on earth, no matter how much they have hoped, prayed, or wept before God like Hannah of the Old Testament. These women need to read Erica’s book No Less Blessed.

Erica Mitchell writes from her own perspective of being married for more than a decade, trying to conceive, pursuing fertility treatments and adoption, and coming to terms with the fact that she is no less blessed by God than a woman who becomes a mother. Erica also focuses on a bigger picture than her own story – she points the reader back to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The God who led His people through a wilderness in the Old Testament. A God who always provided for His people, but a God who didn’t always give His people what they asked for or what they wanted. Erica speaks powerfully yet humbly, and her words will resonate deeply in the hearts of childless women and mothers alike.

Erica urges her readers to know a loving God who leads His people through the wilderness. For some of us, that wilderness is infertility or childlessness. It’s painful, it’s lonely, it’s difficult, yet God is present, He’s leading us, and He’s good. Erica writes the following statement in her book:

Were the Canaanites blessed because of what they had? Or were the Israelites blessed because of who they had? 

Your perspective on that question will make all the difference on your journey. 

It’s not what you have that makes you blessed; it’s whether it comes from the one true God. It’s whether his presence is present.

I encourage you to pick up a copy of No Less Blessed and read it right now, as currently the entire world needs more hope. The more I read, the more powerfully her words spoke to me – so don’t put it down until you’re finished! Grab a paperback copy on Amazon or the Kindle version and check out Erica’s blog www.nolessblessed.com/.

Hi, I’m Betsy Herman, and I invite you to read our story in my first book, When Infertility Books Are Not Enough: Embracing Hope During Infertility.

Seasons: A Picture Book is my second book, although it’s written for children, it will point all readers toward the goodness of God – especially in the darkest times. Most recently I published a book for new authors or people who dream of writing a book, and I hope that Write Your Story: Straightforward Steps for (Finally) Writing and Publishing Your Book helps you finish your book as well! I have another book in the works – my email list is the best place for getting updates on that! Subscribe here.