Wake Up to Wonder: 22 Invitations to Amazement in the Everyday

by Karen Wright Marsh

Overview

In her quest to live a vibrant spiritual life, Karen Wright Marsh had a revelation: she didn't need to find and follow the perfect plan; she needed people she could follow.

In Wake Up to Wonder, Marsh introduces you to those people—faithful yet oh-so-human Christians from across centuries and cultures. Inspired by their example, she offers playful, simple practices that bring deeper meaning and purpose to everyday life.

In the company of diverse spiritual companions, you'll journey through physical health, prayer, activism, Scripture reading, creativity, and beyond. Each chapter includes hands-on invitations such as writing prompts, space for personal reflection, and "Try This," a collage of spiritual and personal experiments anyone can do.

As you wake up to wonder, you'll discover what these twenty-two historical figures already knew: that a life of spiritual depth, amazement, and connection is within reach—today and every day.

Historical Figures Covered
Henri J. M. Nouwen
Martin Luther
Thomas Merton
Hildegard von Bingen
Margery Kempe
Wangari Maathai
Caedmon
Amanda Berry Smith
Augustine
Lilias Trotter
Fannie Lou Hamer
Patrick of Ireland
Hans Scholl and Sophie Scholl
Howard Thurman
Pandita Ramabai
Ephrem the Syrian
Ignatius of Loyola
Benedict and Scholastica
Brother Lawrence
Francis of Assisi and Clare of Assisi
Dorothy Day
Mabel Ping-Hua Lee

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781587435805
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	07/11/2023
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	950,697
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Karen Wright Marsh is the founding director of Theological Horizons, a ministry at the University of Virginia that hosts lectures, spiritual studies, dialogues, and mentoring initiatives. She is the author of Vintage Saints and Sinners: 25 Christians Who Transformed My Faith, which was named an Outreach Resource of the Year, a Logos Booksellers Book of the Year, and a Foreword INDIES finalist. Karen holds a degree in philosophy from Wheaton College and a degree in linguistics from the University of Virginia. She lives with her professor husband, Charles Marsh, at the Bonhoeffer House in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Table of Contents

Contents

Invitation to Wonder
Wake Up
1. Put Pen to Paper • Henri J. M. Nouwen
2. Sing Out Loud • Martin Luther
3. Follow Your Breath • Thomas Merton
4. Fuel Up • Hildegard von Bingen
5. Keep on Walking • Margery Kempe
Reach Out
6. Plant a Tree • Wangari Maathai
7. Say Thank You • Caedmon
8. Pray Your Anything • Amanda Berry Smith
9. Ask Better Questions • Augustine
10. Look to See • Lilias Trotter
11. Raise Your Voice • Fannie Lou Hamer
Go Deep
12. Embrace Alone • Patrick of Ireland
13. Review the News • Hans Scholl and Sophie Scholl
14. Take a Pause • Howard Thurman
15. Wander through Scripture • Pandita Ramabai
16. Surround Yourself with Beauty • Ephrem the Syrian
17. Replay the Day • Ignatius of Loyola
Dwell
18. Design a Life • Benedict and Scholastica
19. Choose Your Intention • Brother Lawrence
20. Do the Unexpected • Francis of Assisi and Clare of Assisi
21. Escape to the Beach • Dorothy Day
22. Take the Lead • Mabel Ping-Hua Lee
Life Goes On

Editorial Reviews

06/01/2023

Marsh (Vintage Saints and Sinners) dips into the lives of 22 extraordinary figures to reveal the ordinary patterns of life that make for remarkable people. Many of them are well-known; Francis of Assisi and Fannie Lou Hamer are mentioned, for example. But refreshingly, the book includes exemplars who are not. The author picks out habits or practices from each subject that readers can easily do as well. The book's vignettes include a personal reflection with suggested exercises and activities—journal writing, singing, or finding a place of solitude—to assist readers in living more intentional lives. The book's tone is conversational and incorporates disarming matter. For example, Marsh gently points out which practices don't suit her or which character traits she herself doesn't possess to the extent she would like. VERDICT Although all of the subjects March commends to the reader are Christians, the suggested practices are not bound by any religious faith and open to anyone who strives to live deliberately.—James Wetherbee

Library Journal

The author describes how the lives of 22 historical figures inspired her in ways that promoted personal freedom, emotional growth, and spirituality in the Christian tradition. Narrator Siiri Scott's melodic voice and enthusiasm work well to convey the author's humanitarian message and these well-crafted profiles. Her grasp of Karen Wright Marsh's values and arresting invitations gives this writing memorable impact. The author says optimal engagement with life is about paying attention not only to the teachings of Christianity, but also to the divine beauty manifested in ourselves and the world. Her empowering message focuses on the choices all of us can make in the way we live and the way we draw power from the spiritual realm. T.W. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine

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