A MOTHER HELD:

Essays on Motherhood and Anxiety.

Is God sovereign over every minute that ticks by, the orchestrator of every event—even the horrors we cry out to him about? If he is… can he actually be good too? This question haunts each of us, especially mothers as we not only consider our own lives but the lives our tiny children. Can we trust God to care for us and our helpless babies just as much as we do, especially when he allows the waves the bash the world as they do?

When Lara became a mother, she thought she was losing her mind—literally. As she faced paranoia, panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, and obsessive compulsions, she viewed her life as the chaotic mess of a person pushed away by God and held under his stern gaze. She believed in God, but feared that he viewed her a burdensome child with too many problems. As she sought to care for her infants through various valleys of suffering, she struggled to trust God’s mighty hand that turned the tides of her life.

In this collection of creative essays, Lara never strives to answer the “why?” to our cries, but displays the sovereignty and goodness of our Heavenly Father, both when our greatest joys and worst of fears come true. In each story, Lara leads her reader through her battle with anxiety and the early days of motherhood—not to show the world her own perseverance or to draw their pity, but to cast their gaze to the One who carried her through it all.

This is the book anxious

mothers have been waiting for.

— Ashlee Gadd, author of Create Anyway and founder of Coffee + Crumbs

Fellow Momma, you are held by a tender Father.

I wrote this book for women like me who have spent so many years wondering if God loves them despite their anxiety. I wrote this book for moms like me who had frightening thoughts fill their head that didn’t make sense.

I wrote this so that every mom may know that as she holds her precious child, she is held by the good, tender hands of her Heavenly Father.

This book is a celebration of the unending faithfulness of God to his beloved children, and I hope it helps you see your own story of being held by God every moment.

“When I read Lara’s book, I didn’t expect it to hit so close to home, especially when it comes to mental illness. It’s a book that truly brings you hope and healing, knowing Christ holds all the parts of me that even I sometimes can’t understand. Lara writes with truth and vulnerability—and with a beautiful style—for so many anxious mamas to relate to.”

— Amazon Reviewer, five stars

Read the Endorsements

A Mother Held is a raw retelling of the hardest moments Lara has faced on her journey in motherhood. As I read Lara’s honest stories of her struggle with anxiety, my own heart was comforted and reminded that God’s steadfast love carries us when anxiety overwhelms us. You will leave this book knowing you are not alone in the battles you face, and you are never without hope—you are held by Christ.

Gretchen Saffles, Founder of Well-Watered Women, Author of The Well-Watered Woman: Rooted in Truth, Growing in Grace, Flourishing in Faith
This is the book anxious mothers have been waiting for. With vulnerability and refreshing honesty, Lara welcomes her reader to take comfort under the sovereign hand of God, cling to hope, and find much-needed shelter in Christ. Equal parts convicting and compassionate, A Mother Held will be a balm to any mother’s anxious heart.

Ashlee Gadd, Founder of Coffee + Crumbs and author of Create Anyway: the Joy of Pursuing Creativity in the Margins of Motherhood
In A Mother Held, Lara d'Entremont sketches an intimate portrait of a mom who is—like us all—deeply affected by life lived in a broken and fallen world, but who is also beloved and held strong by her merciful Savior. A Mother Held encourages all moms with the truth of God's goodness and faithfulness in the midst of the anxieties and fears of motherhood—something every mother can relate to.

Christina Fox, mom of two, counselor, retreat speaker, and author of Idols of a Mother's Heart, Sufficient Hope: Gospel Meditations and Prayers for Moms, and Like Our Father: How God Parents Us and Why That Matters for our Parenting
Lara has woven together a lovely memorial of God’s faithfulness, prompting me to consider his goodness within my own story. When fear and anxiety are great burdens, Christ is greater still. He is in every detail, and he cares for you, Mom. Be comforted by Lara’s beautiful essays and reminded that you are a mother held by the Everlasting Arms.

Kristen Wetherell, mother of three; author of Humble Moms and Help for the Hungry Soul
Reading each of Lara’s essays in this collection, the word that kept coming to mind was “tenderness”. As a reader, it’s a gift to be met with the tenderness of an author willing to share their struggles, and as an author, this is only accomplished when one takes care when telling her stories. Lara understands this, and the care with which she shares her stories, the tenderness with which she extends her hand to the reader, reads like mercy. This collection of essays is a treasure.

Kris Camealy, author of Everything Is Yours: How Giving God Your Whole Heart Changes Your Whole Life
As a mom of small children who struggles with anxiety, I found Lara’s book to be validating as well as encouraging. The way she weaves truth with personal narrative drew me in from the moment I picked up the book. It’s perfect for the mom who is weary and in need of the reminder that Jesus is holding onto her as she holds her children.

Brittany Allen, Author of a forthcoming book on miscarriage with Lexham Press
Lara writes with compassion toward herself, which extends to the reader who is struggling with all the woes and worries and ways of new motherhood. By revealing her own struggles with anxiety and depression, she removes their strength and is a welcome friend to other moms who may feel alone in those struggles. Lara's journey highlights the necessity for community and professional help, good books, nature, and most importantly, the abounding grace of Jesus.

Tresta Payne, author at More Beautiful Than Necessary

A Mother Held is now available to purchase! I’d be honoured if you bought a copy of this book for yourself or a loved one in the early throes of motherhood.

PURCHASE HERE

Meet the Author

Lara d’Entremont is first a mom to three little wildlings and then an auhor. While the wildlings snore, she designs websites and edits for a variety of writers, but her first love is writing—whether it be personal essays, creative nonfiction, or fantasy novels. She desires to weave the stories between faith and fiction, theology and praxis, for women who feel as if these two pieces of them are always at odds.

Lara is an editor for Calla Press Publishing, an editor-at-large for Beautiful Christian Life, a staff writer for Gospel-Centered Discipleship, and a regular contributor to Well-Watered Women. Her writing can be found in Christianity Today, Mere Orthodoxy, Modern Reformation, Common Good Magazine, Risen Motherhood, The Rabbit Room, and many others.