Not at all what I expected! I have been wanting to read Sue Monk Kidd, but think of her as a voice for the Sacred Feminine, the Feminine Face of the Divine. I was so surprised, when I happened to choose this book to start with (pure chance--I wasn't going in order of her publication dates) to find this early (maybe first?) book to be about her very mainstream Christian foundation. I appreciated her struggle to move from rigid, by-the-book Christian to an inner-focused, more loving and fruitful sense of God. However for me, the talk of even the word God, and especially the constant referral to "Him," and the Christian aspects, focus on the Bible, and many of her specific struggles were not at all relatable. Still, I was touched and intrigued by her process of spiritual development. Aspects of how she used Biblical portions and other readings reminded me of the practical, applied spirituality of, say, 12-Step Programs with do-able actions of how to release blocks to God/Spirit/Higher Power and resentments towards others. I could feel her integrity, profound yearning and dedication. Her writing here is not eloquent nor polished, but adequate enough that I was, by the end, moved by it. I was utterly struck by her ability to enter into Biblical scenes and experience imaginal transformation. Fascinating! She offers these rich imagining visualizations as a tool she developed spontaneously, but I wonder how many people will be able to have such vivid, real, deep experiences of both being "in" the settings as well as getting the transformational learnings. Nonetheless, that was striking to me. Especially toward the final chapter or two, her moving words about gratefulness and stories about open-heartedness quickened a longing in me for that experience of immanence which she has cultivated and thus by which she is often graced.

I LOVED IT! It really makes the Christian life "liveable" in ways that are NOT "uptight" and "legalistic", (meaning every thing has to be done exactly right, down to the letter; no exceptions). Sue Monk Kidd points out that the same delight of finding a surprise in her mortal father's hand, can be found in the joy of finding out what God has in store for you; the love He has for, and wants to give you, unconditionally.

really good read! definitely recommend reading this if you are a Christian

Part memoir, part introductory handbook to spiritual disciplines, Kidd provides a work that I found best to read in multiple sittings. She draws on the work of Brother Lawrence, Henri Nouwen, Richard Foster, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and many other spiritual writers who have addressed spiritual disciplines.

Very inspiring. I totally enjoy Sue's work. I've yet to read one of her books that I didn't love. Sue is one of the rare author's I like to re-read.

To be loved by God is the guarantee. Now what? What is the journey of love all about? We do get a glimpse in here and the author points us in a direction that cannot fail. All of life, even the hard parts, make sense, or are at least acceptable.

This was my second time reading this fabulous, instructive book. I highly recommend it to anyone who desires a closer walk with God and a deeper spiritual life.

We studied this book in a women's spirituality class at college. It was very helpful and sparked great discussions. The class really bonded from it through sharing of others' stories.

This is truly a spiritual journey bringing God to the heart of one's life resulting in great peace. "And all will be well!"

Anyone searching for peace amidst the demands of daily life Depth brings joy. God's love points to a way to conquer all situations because He is with us!

Bought this on a whim and was absolutely surprised by it. Lovely writing and easy to understand points.

My spiritual director, gave me this book. We planned to read it & discuss it. I read the first three chapters and prepared to talk about it. Then fate — in the form of the holidays, setbacks & COVID-19 — intervened. I decided to forge ahead and finish reading. As a committed Christian, this book was a revelation. It prompted me to view my relationship with God differently. Sue Monk Kidd writes of establishing a climate of prayer; of creating a space for God and EXPERIENCING, not merely READING, The Bible. And those are just for starters. Via personal experience & self-discovery, the author shares her journey and in so doing, guides the reader on how to strengthen THEIR own walk with The Lord. Sue Monk Kidd gives much here to read, contemplate — and discuss.

I'll write a longer review later but Kidd seems to experience and contemplate life similarly to Ann Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts. Kidd's vulnerability in sharing her story and her ability to break down what was happening at each stage of her spiritual growth is inspiring.