WONDERSTRUCK

WONDERSTRUCK:  Awaken to the Nearness of God

by Margaret Feinberg

I knew I would like Margaret {yes, I’m using her first name since I feel such a connection to her, and I haven’t even met her personally, yet} after hearing her talk on Susie Larson’s Live the Promise radio show one day.  I ordered the book she was talking about, Scouting the Divine, and instantly fell in love.  Since then, I’ve read most of her books but the one that has opened my eyes to God’s working in my life is WONDERSTRUCK.

I normally don’t review books here (though I do use books as blog posts) so when Margaret asked me to review her new book, WONDERSTRUCK, I jumped at the chance to do so.  It arrived in the mail one Friday and I was finished by the next Thursday.  It took me that long to read it because I was WONDERSTRUCK.

Throughout WONDERSTRUCK, Margaret takes us on an adventure into the Wonders of God’s creation and majestic sites; not only in Nature, but in our own Human Nature.  She talks honestly and vividly about the seasons of her life.  She shares her pains and joys, sorrows and excitement; her disappointments and fears.  She allows us to join her in her longings and desires to see the World as God created it.  She beckons us to join her in being WONDERSTRUCK.

WONDERSTRUCK is the type of book that as you read it, you must put it down after each chapter to enjoy what you’ve just read.  This happened to me several times {another reason it took me so long to read it}.  As I journeyed with Margaret from Alaska to Colorado and even Africa, I felt like I was walking beside her each step of the way.

From the time she is awe-struck by the night sky to the times of deep sorrow and grief in her life, Margaret explains how she became WONDERSTRUCK in seeing how God was moving through and in her life.  There were times, as I was reading, that tears came to my eyes and I wanted to reach out and give her a hug (Margaret, here’s your {HUG}).  Each chapter brought me closer and closer to seeing how God was working in my own life.

As I read about a much-needed Sabbath rest, I realized, I need one too.  As the vivid explanations of what she saw in the night sky caused her to Wonder, I’ve become more aware of what my night sky looks like – Wondering and realizing we are both looking at the same sky.  Margaret speaks of her prayer life and how Three Word Prayers brought her closer to God.  I asked myself – how is my prayer life?  And even though it’s nearing Christmas time, she speaks of Lent as a friend and I Wonder, is Advent my friend?

As I finished reading the last half of WONDERSTRUCK at Starbucks, I’m sure the people there thought I was crazy because I could not stop crying.  WONDERSTRUCK has opened my eyes to trying to capture the Wonder of what God is trying to say to me – not only through Nature but through the words and actions of my friends {make sure to take notes when you read the Friendship chapter}.

If you know me, you know that I love books and I only recommend books that have deeply affected my heart.  WONDERSTRUCK is that kind of book.  It’s warm, charming, and well written.   WONDERSTRUCK will stick deep within your soul long after you’re finished reading it.  And, you’ll find yourself with open eyes looking at the Wonder of God’s love and being WONDERSTRUCK. (At the end of the book you’ll find a 30-day Wonder Challenge to help you Experience God More.)

I’d love to say I was able to keep the book but I returned it {with probably a few tears attached to it}.  But don’t worry, I preordered it from Amazon – which will be my best Christmas present this year.  I recommend you do the same.  WONDERSTRUCK can also be ordered directly from MargetFeinberg.com

Note:  I have not received compensation for this review/blog post, only the opportunity to read it in advance of being published.  You can also follow Margaret on Twitter (@mafeinberg) or become a Fan of hers on Facebook (Margaret Feinberg, Author).  Thank you Margaret for writing WONDERSTRUCK – may you always be awake to the nearness of God.