I'll Hold You in Heaven

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful gift for a grieving mother
Review: After the death of my youngest brother at 14 months, my mom found this book to be very comforting. So much so, that she gives this book to any mother who suffers a loss such as miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death. We keep a copy on hand to give away. Time after time, moms have thanked us for giving them a source of comfort in acknowledging their loss.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful gift for a grieving mother
Review: After the death of my youngest brother at 14 months, my mom found this book to be very comforting. So much so, that she gives this book to any mother who suffers a loss such as miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death. We keep a copy on hand to give away. Time after time, moms have thanked us for giving them a source of comfort in acknowledging their loss.

Rating:
Summary: Don't read this book, it's unsettling and a soap box.
Review: I began reading this book after the still birth of my son. I needed something comforting, this is not it. It's a "compasionate" view from a man who has no understanding of the pain he is dealing with and focuses mearly on his soap box on abortion. A tad condescending, I give him a break because he is a good man and a strong leader. He begins with a scripture out of context then explains it failing to back his explaination up with scripture (the biggest downfall of the book - since that is its main focus) or with reasoning. It really just frustrated me as you might be able to tell, and I wonder if Hayford has truely ever felt the loss of someone so close to him. Read "As I lay my Isaac Down" for a truely compassionate and meaty insight filled book on the subject. God bless you if you're searching in this subject, you're not alone.

Rating:
Summary: The Perfect Book for the Situation
Review: My wife and I have grieved the loss of 4 babies - three by miscarriage and 1, our son, Joseph, who died at 3 days old. So, unfortunately, I am the heart of the target audience for this book :) I can say that no other book on the subject has helped us as much as this little volume. If you are dealing with the grief that comes from losing a baby, this is a wonderful, comforting book that is biblically based and solid.

Rating:
Summary: This book is mis-titled.
Review: This book is probably very useful for some people, but I found it to be mis-titled and not very useful for me. I bought it after the death of my 19-day-old son, thinking it would help comfort me in my grieving. As I read it, I found it to deal more with loss through abortion than any other type of loss. Not being in that situation, I didn't find it helpful. If you had abortion-related questions, though, it would probably be great.

Rating:
Summary: This book belongs in every church library!
Review: What happened to my baby after he/she died? Will I ever see my baby again-and will I recognize him? What happens if I've had an abortion? Does God have a reason for letting my child die? How can I help a friend who's in grief?

These are some of the questions addressed in this thought provoking book. Pastor Jack Hayford approaches the subject in a manner which makes the reader feel he truly empathizes with the situation.

As Pastor Hayford says in his book, "This isn't myth, fable, legend, or a selection of poetic thoughts for the sorrowful. This is truth to set us free. Here we are specifically freed to expect to meet children in heaven, to recognize them and to be with them."

I've had three miscarriages, and wish I'LL HOLD YOU IN HEAVEN had been available for me to read when I was recovering. Not everyone understands what the mother is going through as some offer inane remarks that are not always comforting. In I'LL HOLD YOU IN HEAVEN, Pastor Hayford offers encouragement not only to the mom who miscarried, but also to the parent who lost a baby days or weeks after birth, and to the woman who aborted her baby and later regrets her decision.

If you know someone who recently lost a baby or if you're going through that sorrow yourself, I'LL HOLD YOU IN HEAVEN is a great book to read. It's a book which should be in every church library so it can minister to those hurting. A Remembrance book is also available. I recommend I'LL HOLD YOU IN HEAVEN.

--- reviewed by Laura V. Hilton for Christian Bookshelf