Seasons of Wonder by Bonnie Smith Whitehouse

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me an E-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is supposed to be a 52-week interactive devotional book but I tried to finish the same immediately or in a week. One thing to say is that it really is a gem of a book that helps anyone from relatives to strangers. It is not a devotional per se but still a good book nonetheless. One more thing, I believe reading it in another medium would be better and more enjoyable experience.

Seasons of Wonder: Making the Ordinary Sacred Through Projects, Prayers, Reflections, and Rituals: A 52-week devotional by Bonnie Smith Whitehouse is a call to wonder throughout the seasons. This book comes from a liturgical background, and this may be unfamiliar to many readers. However, the ideas for family rituals and routines that highlight the wonder of God's creation are wonderful. I would not call this book a devotional, but an idea book to start your family's journey towards focusing on God and his marvelous works. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Altought I have loved the cover, It Wasn't What I expected as a devotional. It doesn't mean that it is a bad book, but My expectations made me think this would be different. For that reason, My experience was not positive, unfortunately.

The author's posture is one of curiosity and openness. This isn't a book that will tell you a "right way" or "wrong way" to grow as a disciple.
I read this in an electronic format (thank you netgalley for that opportunity), and I'd suggest that it would be better experienced in book form. Simply because it seems the intent and desire of this resource is to be a resource...that is present in week to week family meals, friend gatherings, and small group adventures.

The book is rich with ideas for pressing pause, soaking up the season, and noticing that God is at work in the ordinary, intentional, unintentional...all around us.

Each week there is a focus, encouragement to wonder, to try, to make.

All of these things are well explained.

This is not a Bible study. Scripture, quotes, and stories from the authors life are woven together to create opportunities for conversation and self-reflection.

The authors love of English & the written word is clear, there are sections that seem almost poetic. For some that may be enjoyed, for others it may feel flowery/wordy at times. I believe if I were to see this book in a paper form, it would be even more easily navigated and enjoyed.

With recipes, crafts, and conversational suggestions stemming from the various seasons, this book helps the reader to focus on the present, rather than worrying about the past or planning for the future. And that's something we all need today...to remember our presence in the present. I feel like this book misses an opportunity to reach those baby-Christians or folks who are sitting on the fence about their spirituality, however, because it is so overly preachy throughout the entire thing. A well-placed comment or scripture here and there is subtle and has more impact than in-your-face preaching, especially for the audiences mentioned above.