When Whitney Simpson had a life-changing stroke two decades ago at the age of 31, she considered the things that grounded her amid the swirling changes. The gift of facing death gave her a renewed appreciation for life, the world around her, and her relationship with God. Crisis connected her with spiritual longings for the presence of God in ways that life lived at full speed could not. Slowing down allowed Simpson to “come away with Jesus to a quiet place,” using her senses, her imagination, and guided imagery. After her stroke recovery process was mostly complete, Simpson became a spiritual director so she could help others discover or recover their own longings for Jesus in the midst of life’s storms.
This book is a call toward embodied living, which invites readers to engage their whole selves in journeying with the God who created them. Spending time with Jesus transforms us to be and live like Jesus. Being present with ourselves, our senses, and our imaginations in our quiet times can help us come away refreshed and renewed in our journey with God. The quiet time resources found within each devotional can be personalized to meet the individual needs of the reader.
The devotionals in this book are short and focused, but they invite us to pause and use our senses to connect with God’s creation and God’s word. What cues are we experiencing in the world around us that help us appreciate who God is? What do we see when we focus on a common household object for a short period of time (color, shape, texture, usefulness, variety)? What soundtrack are we listening to as we take a short walk outside our front door? What smells or tastes come to us when we imagine inviting Jesus to our table for a meal? What happens to our bodies when we allow ourselves some space each devotional period to take a few deep breaths?
Each devotional has different themes and cues, but each one allows us to be present with ourselves as we are present with God. There are Bible texts drawn from the four gospels and reflection questions.
The book is very accessible, and you don’t need to be a spiritual director or theologian to understand it. It’s very “start where you are” in nature and format. The sensory cues and the guided imagery might cause people to stop and consider things they have not considered before. (NavPress)
About the Author
Amie Spriensma is an online chaplain for ReFrame Ministries and a regional disability advocate for the CRC. She lives, works, and worships in Allendale, Mich., where she is a member of Rusk CRC.