available now wherever books are sold
PRAISE
“A devotional in the most all-encompassing sense, Seasons of Wonder sets readers on a path that leads to a year filled with more hope, more sweetness, more grace, and more love. Light shines from this book like a star lamp. Like the very stars.”—Margaret Renkl, author of Late Migrations and PEN Award Winner
“Some devotional efforts heap contempt on human bodies and speak of the natural world as a disposable ladder to heaven. Bonnie Smith Whitehouse goes in the opposite direction. Reading Seasons of Wonder and following its instructions is an immersion in lived righteousness. Getting saved, in Professor Whitehouse's vision, is becoming more whole and less divided in our affections. She invites us to drop the psychic burden of dualistic thinking and to become more attuned to our own resources, whether it's the Bible, Alanis Morrisette, the Tao Che Ting, or an inquisitive child in Star Wars pajamas. Receive her eloquent witness. It is a gift.”–David Dark, author of Life's Too Short To Pretend You're Not Religious
“Bonnie Smith Whitehouse is a master at metaphor, prose, and possibility. To read her book, even if you can't always do the daily practices, is a gift that will open wonder and joy into your day. This book is remarkable in vision and in truth.”—Rev. Dr. Becca Stevens, founder and president of Thistle Farms
“In an age of disruption, we are scrambling to find meaningful ways to connect. Seasons Of Wonder is a necessary and timeless gift—a wise, big-hearted, practical invitation to carve out time for holy gatherings with the people we love.”—Ian Morgan Cron, author of The Story of You
“For all of us still trying to know God, Bonnie Smith Whitehouse has created this accessible, delightful, educational companion guide. The opposite of didactic, Seasons of Wonder proceeds from a premise we all need in our fractured world: that the spiritual life is not about dogmatic belief but curiosity and wonder. Drawing from contemporary mystics, revered saints, and even pop stars, Whitehouse invites us into a year of sacredness, hope, and ultimately love: love for ourselves, love for each other, love for the planet, and love for the great source of Love itself. This book honors the mystic and the child of wonderment in each of us.”—Heather Lanier, author of Raising A Rare Girl
“Bonnie Smith Whitehouse offers a joyful gift to Christians and seekers in this practical and poetic devotional. This handbook for prayer and life feels like a chat with your wisest friend, and includes suggestions for all ages and stages of life.”—Rev. Claire Brown, author of New Directions for Holy Questions: Progressive Christian Theology for Families
At a time when it has been increasingly difficult to comfortably show up as a lover of the Lord and an unapologetic Black woman, I found solace in Seasons of Wonder. Bonnie Smith Whitehouse eloquently makes space for little old me to live an expansive life. By removing the oft-imagined barrier between the sacred and the secular, Whitehouse suggests that we can find faith work everywhere, even as we consider our material, physical, fleshy parts. Seasons of Wonder is a rare breed. It honors the Divine while leading us People of the Way who lead with love at every turn. It slipped its way into my heart and has been awarded a place on my list of most beloved titles. I can’t praise it enough. —Amber O'Neal Johnston, author of A Place to Belong: Celebrating Diversity and Kinship In the Home and Beyond
“In this lovely volume, Bonnie Smith Whitehouse amplifies the value and beauty of the liturgical calendar for families. This treasure trove of activities, crafts, recipes, and spiritual practices are tailored to each month of the year. From star-gazing as a way to connect to the epiphany to creating a hiking stick that might aid one on a pilgrimage to eating a meal in silence as a communal mediation, each activity is simple to implement and yet rick with meaning and delight. Whitehouse even includes instructions to make communion bread. Seasons of Wonder gives families the incentive to gather, wonder, reflect, and honor their Christian faith together, vibrantly."—Julie Bogart, author of The Brave Learner and Raising Critical Thinkers and founder of Brave Writer