Water in Her Tender Leaves Paperback – April 30, 2025

"Through the evocative mediums of black and white photography and fourteen different styles of poetry, author Christina Hubbard draws us into story, giving us a glimpse of what is possible when we bind our suffering to that of Jesus, trusting that by his grace, in the end, all shall be well." —Miriam M. Dixon, pastor, author of Worth Celebrating: A biography of Richard J. Foster's Celebration of Discipline"Brave, bold, and beautiful." —Kate Motaung, author of Letters to Grief, 2025 Christian Book Award WinnerWhat does it mean to endure? To be a witness? To find the sacred in suffering?Water in Her Tender Leaves is a poetry collection exploring themes of resilience and spiritual growth in personal narratives, unveiling the extraordinary strength hidden within ordinary lives through a groundbreaking fusion of photography and verse.This black and white photography book captures the beauty of Christian women in moments of witness and reflection, weaving together the intimate stories of nine North American women—ages 19 to 66—as they navigate life's most challenging terrain: chronic illness, mental health struggles, spiritual deconstruction, racism, trauma, and profound loss.Born from extensive interviews across diverse Christian traditions, each woman's journey unfolds through haunting portraits paired with poetry in black and white that transforms personal narrative into sacred art. Here, vulnerability becomes strength, individual stories reveal universal truths, and faith emerges not as certainty, but as a dynamic, embodied experience of hope amid uncertainty.These spiritual memoirs of resilience and strength, told through the personal narratives of Christian women, challenge us to reimagine resilience not as conquest over suffering, but as the profound capacity to witness, endure, and discover divine connection within our deepest struggles. Each page becomes sacred space where testimony meets artistry, where motherhood intersects with spiritual endurance, where the hidden strength we carry in our bodies finally finds voice.Readers will find:Nine intimate portraits of Christian women aged 19 to 66, each navigating profound challengesFourteen distinct poetry styles paired with striking black and white photographyPersonal narratives addressing chronic illness, mental health, spiritual deconstruction, racism, trauma, and lossStories drawn from extensive interviews across diverse Christian traditionsA reimagined understanding of resilience as witness and endurance rather than conquestExploration of faith as embodied, dynamic experience rather than fixed certaintyThe intersection of motherhood, spirituality, and women's hidden strengthBoth artistic beauty and theological depth in photopoetry formMore than a book, Water in Her Tender Leaves is a mirror. You'll recognize yourself in these faces, these stories, these quiet moments of extraordinary grace. Whether you're seeking understanding of your own journey or yearning to witness the profound resilience of the human spirit, this collection offers both artistic beauty and theological depth.A tender, unflinching exploration of what it means to bear witness to life's most sacred and difficult moments.Perfect for readers of spiritual memoir, poetry, and anyone seeking authentic voices on faith, resilience, and the power of women's stories—discover the extraordinary grace hidden within ordinary lives and let these women's journeys illuminate your own. Read more