|
Book Reviews :
From “Catholic Online” (www.catholic.org): Review by Allan F. Wright dated July 30, 2007:
“[Rowland] points to a fact that almost every person living in our society can affirm: Our culture places some unfair demands on us. The external demands of career, family, social commitments and children pull against each other, ruining our interior tranquility and peace. … [T]he author asks some poignant questions for today’s believer: ‘Do these demands coincide with what our faith tells us?’ ‘Are they interfering with the fulfillment of the promise of our faith?’
“Rowland does a wonderful job of tying the clutter of our lives to our spiritual life and offers practical steps to give priority to what really matters in our lives. She weaves various quotes from scripture and spiritual writers with her life experience and then artfully gets a hold on the root of the problem that causes the stress or ‘clutter’ in one’s life. Each short chapter concludes with selected reflection questions and practical activities that the reader will not find burdensome.”
From Prairie Messenger, a Catholic diocesan newspaper in Canada:
Review by Viola Bens, OSE, dated April 16, 2008
“Make Room for God is a practical book that guides the reader through deep life changes, touching everything from the physical space in which one lives to one’s relationship with God. …
“Her gentle approach is based on trust in a companion God who wants us to ‘be’ rather than just ‘do.’ … She advises patience with self and God, making small changes and celebrating each accomplishment. … The goal in de-cluttering is to make room for God and live fully, joyfully and creatively just as God desires us to live.
“The final section focuses on ‘practicing for eternity’ -- living the positive and enjoyable things God wants for us through prayer, keeping the Sabbath, community and creativity. The author’s conclusion is that ‘God wants so much more for us. God does not want us to settle, to work hard all our lives and then die.’
“More than just another self-help book, Rowland offers principles that work ‘because they allow each of us to make the changes we need to make, one change at a time, and most importantly, when we feel ready.’ For those who wish to make changes in their lives but don’t know how or where to begin, this could be a helpful book.”
From The Catholic Sun, diocesan newspaper of Phoenix, Arizona, diocese.
Review by Andrew Junker, dated January 17, 2008
“It’s nothing new for a Christian author to lament the materialism of Western culture or describe Americans as over-worked and under-appreciative of what’s truly important. Nor is any local bookstore suffering a shortage of time-management books …
“But [Make Room for God] is also much more than this, as it incorporates bits of personal reminiscences and closes each chapter with questions for further reflection. … as the book progresses, Rowland continually surprises with passages of real insight and beauty.
“ ‘The first lesson we as people of faith must learn is this: Doing things is not nearly as important as becoming who we are meant to be,’ she [writes]. ‘If all God wanted was for us to do things, we would be machines. God wants us to become someone.’
“Certainly, Rowland agrees that action plays a large part in this equation, but it’s an action that stems from a right interior disposition to God, not from some vague impulse for ‘productivity’ which she claims plagues modern America. And this right interior disposition can only come about by creating space for Him to work within us.
“It’s impressive how Rowland convincingly makes the case for her principles of simplicity, and her book would make a good read for anyone serious about making some room and some time for a healthier spiritual life this year.”
===========================================================
Comments by Readers:
A reader posted this comment on Amazon.com shortly after the book was released: “I enjoyed this book and can recommend it with confidence knowing that others will enjoy it as well. It is easy to read, thought provoking, informative and interesting. The author uses humor in a clever way to help get her point across, yet the reader can tell without a doubt that the author is serious about her faith and anxious to share her ideas with others, without being “preachy.” In these hectic and pressured times we live in, it is easy to forget what is really important when it comes right down to it. Susan K. Rowland does a wonderful job of teaching us how to re-focus and get back to a simpler, less cluttered way of life.”
Ann, a retired teacher and Episcopalian from Phoenix, Arizona, wrote: “I really liked the way you set [the book] up, the way you kept me from guilt but did give me some nudging. … Your suggestions are practical and the idea of going back later makes sense. … I know I have a lot of work to do, but you’ve shown me some good ways to get started. It will also be nice to know I can revisit [the book] when I need a tune up or another nudge.”
Colleen, another writer and speaker from Mesa, Arizona, wrote: “The book gave me the energy to direct and connect what I wanted accomplished. I packed, labeled and stored 18 big crates, took 8 huge bags of clothes I don’t really want to Goodwill, and put a large bin of recycle papers out. … The passion of ‘making room for God’ came through. I have taught this stuff and read every book on simplifying your life--however, your book provides the ‘how to.’ “
|
