The Waiting Place (Learning to Appreciate Life’s Little Delays) by Eileen Button is a perfect summer read.Eileen Button has written a series of essays on lessons learned during the “waiting places” of her life.
She says, “The Waiting Place is for people like me who get stuck in their precious, mundane, gorgeous, absurd lives. It is for those who work hard at the “business of living” only to find that they seem to be caught in one long, boring meeting…It’s for those who wake up one day and find themselves repeatedly sighing and thinking, This is so not the life I dreamed of living.”
Eileen writes beautifully and with humor about every day moments and memories, about struggling with self image, living the busy life of a mother, a pastor’s wife, a teacher and a writer. She writes poignantly about struggling to believe that she can write and (as I said)she’s funny.
She continues, “I am absolutely convinced that some of the most beautiful things happen if we are willing to quiet our hearts, lean into the waiting place, and listen to what it tells us.When we do, we will be astonished by what it has to say.”
This is a book worth reading!
I felt like the cover and title of this book didn’t do it justice. The cover photo shows a young girl (or woman-hard to tell) who is lying in a field of daisy’s. At first glance it looks like a romance novel.
I agree with the author that waiting places are, indeed, remarkable but felt that the author’s feisty approach to life and her down-to-earth sense of humor were misrepresented by the look of the book.
Eileen Button has written a book full of wisdom and encouragement and humor and I recommend it.
I received this book from Book Sneeze and agreed to review it.
To be entered to win a copy from this blog (I received a book from the publisher that got slightly bent in transit) please leave a comment on this post. Drawing will be July 2oth.
Amber Van Hengel said:
This book sounds like it would be a great blessing to me… I’m not a patient “waiter” & know that I often miss the blessing by always wanting to move on to the next big thing!
nt12many said:
You’re entered in the drawing Amber! Thanks for visiting my blog;).
Jill
Debbie Johnstone said:
God has me on “pause” and I’m waiting to see why. What is next Lord? You have very clearly asked me to put aside something that I never dreamed I would be willing to let go of. You are teaching me to “ponder in my heart” and wait.
Jill – I am new to your blogs and so enjoying them. But what I really LOVE is your email address! Blessings, Debbie
nt12many said:
Debbie! Wow! Thanks for visiting my blog! So glad you are enjoying it. I want you to know you are the first person who has ever commented on my email address! I “borrowed” it from an internet friend who had 21 children and had it on her license plate!
Blessings to you as you wait on God.
Jill
Ramona said:
This sounds like my life and the yearning I’ve recently felt to just “be” in the presence of God. I look forward to reading your book. I would not have known about this, except that a friend posted a link on Facebook. Blessings to you!
Ramona
nt12many said:
Thanks for visiting Ramona! Another great Christian classic which would encourage you in resting in God is Hinds Feet on High Places. Have you read it? I have had a “rest less” time this Winter as well and am thinking about returning to some of these wise writers.
Jill
Chanda said:
Sounds like a good book. I have the desire of my heart to be married ( I am 33) but sometimes the waiting on God’s timing is hard. Yet I know that he is using me just where I am right now. Not matter if I am married and have kid or not I can still be an influence in the lives of those younger than me. I had the privilege of listening to you speak at Good Shepherd. You did a great job. Thank you so much for sharing your heart. God Bless!!! Chanda
nt12many said:
Thank you Chanda! I was blessed to have the opportunity!
Waiting for His perfect timing in marriage is hard; we have a daughter in the same tough “waiting place” but I have seen women marry men out of panic and live to repent of it later with great remorse. God is a faithful and we can trust Him in all our “waits”.
Jill
Leisha said:
God is so faithful and we are so foolish to think that He ever needs our help! We are mid-wait now with our home for sale……no offers and wondering what God is doing with this situation because in the midst of it some potentially major changes have surfaced! Do we sell? Do we stay? These have been our questions in recent weeks….we are ‘waiting’ for a directive from the Lord. I’m thinking it might be a good time to read this book! Please count me in on the drawing;-)
Blessings!
nt12many said:
Leisha,
Hang in there sister! We’ve been there with the house selling problem (we were desperate!). Wait on the Lord and know that He has good plans for your family whatever the outcome!
You are entered!
Jill