Suffering comes to everyone in this life, yet many are surprised to find it in the green pastures of the Good Shepherd. Disease and death invade this peaceful landscape, and hardship and heartache come even to "the sheep of His hand." Why do pain and persecution flourish along the path of righteousness? How can sickness and sin reside beside the Lord's still waters? Utilizing the timeless, rich comfort permeating Psalm 23, author Katie Schuermann ( ) and a host of literary friends ponder such questions and many more in this book of empathy and encouragement for the cross-bearing Christian woman. Addressing such topics as living the Christian faith in the public arena, carrying a child in the womb who is not expected to live, struggling against sexual temptation, caring for aging parents, regretting an abortion, living with mental illness and chronic diseases, longing for the gift of a spouse, raising children apart from one's own upbringing, mothering while working, and children leaving the faith, each chapter persistently points the reader to a firm trust in God's promises found in His Word and a resounding joy in God's mysterious work of conforming us "to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29). Contributing authors: Katie Schuermann, Rebecca Mayes, Christina Roberts, Cheryl Swope, Cheryl Magness, Magdalena Schultz, Heidi Sias, Kristin Wassilak, Mollie Hemingway, Heather Smith, Julia Habrecht, Pamela Boehle-Silva