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Glory Happening: Finding the Divine in Everyday Places
“A stunner...every sentence is a feast for the senses.” —Rachel Held Evans
When you have an experience and tell the story of that experience to someone, something sacred happens inside of you. That experience doesn’t have to be an extravagant moment, but it can be beautiful, nonetheless. And as you store up all those stories and share them, you grow your world’s boundaries. You build community and remind yourself that every moment of your life counts for something holy, good, and glorious.
The search for glory will bring freedom and a fresh perspective to whatever season you happen to find yourself in. Glory Happening is a book of stories and prayers that remind you to take a closer look at your everyday circumstances, to find the magical beauty in everyday experiences. It is an invitation to live deeply into every moment with the expectation that something good will find you at the end of the day. And once you experience glory, you have words to speak, a prayer to pray, and a story to tell. And so glory grows from person to person, and community is created around the reality that God is truly in our midst.
When you have an experience and tell the story of that experience to someone, something sacred happens inside of you. That experience doesn’t have to be an extravagant moment, but it can be beautiful, nonetheless. And as you store up all those stories and share them, you grow your world’s boundaries. You build community and remind yourself that every moment of your life counts for something holy, good, and glorious.
The search for glory will bring freedom and a fresh perspective to whatever season you happen to find yourself in. Glory Happening is a book of stories and prayers that remind you to take a closer look at your everyday circumstances, to find the magical beauty in everyday experiences. It is an invitation to live deeply into every moment with the expectation that something good will find you at the end of the day. And once you experience glory, you have words to speak, a prayer to pray, and a story to tell. And so glory grows from person to person, and community is created around the reality that God is truly in our midst.
192 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2017
55 people are currently reading
1273 people want to read
About the author
Kaitlin B. Curtice
18 books258 followersKaitlin Curtice is a Native American Christian author, speaker and worship leader. As an enrolled member of the Potawatomi Citizen Band and someone who has grown up in the Christian faith, Kaitlin writes on the intersection of Native American spirituality, mystic faith in everyday life, and the church. She is an author with Paraclete Press and her recently released book is Glory Happening: Finding the Divine in Everyday Places. She is a contributor to Sojourners, and you can also find her work on Patheos Progressive Christian.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
August 25, 2018
I really wanted to love this book. I saw Kaitlin Curtice speak at Why Christian this spring, and found her talk (which was mainly about her indigenous heritage, the colonizing force of Christianity, and the life-giving power of water) both eloquent and powerful. Perhaps I just wasn't in the right mood for this book - I read it quickly in two sittings, and the short format of the chapters suggests it's designed for lingering over like a devotional. Nonetheless, I wasn't moved by the writing nor the content; Curtice aims for profundity but more often comes off as twee instead. She is very young, and I see her picking up bits of style from writers like Annie Dillard and Anne Lamott without quite capturing the same level of insight. If nothing else, she has great taste; there was more power and wisdom in her epigraphs than in most of the chapters that followed.
January 30, 2019
Glory Happening is a gentle, beautiful, joyful little book. Comprised of 50 short chapters, each accompanied by a poetic prayer, it makes for easy uplifting reading over an extended period of time. At least that's how I read it. Bit by bit. Trying to understand and appreciate each chapter, each set of thoughts that Kaitlin offered. I won't say I was always or even often at the same place of faith as she was writing about. But what I gained from this book the most was the sense of realizing and appreciating each moment. In finding the good and naming it for what it is, and being grateful for it. Not candy coating reality. Just knowing that a well-worn favorite book or the smile of a child or friendly faces at an international market or a favorite food shared with a loved one or people of faith gathered together to encourage those around them--all of these are beautiful, uplifting things that can be appreciated. They are Glory Happening, as Kaitlin writes. She especially writes with such affection for the relationships around her. For the way her family and her church community nourish and encourage her. Reading this book, I realized how isolated I have become from a people or community of faith, how perhaps I never had the kind of community she described, and it made me both sad and hopeful, that what I don't have now, perhaps I will have again some day. And when it does, it will be Glory Happening. For now, I'll go outside and look up at the stars and appreciate their beauty--and thank God for them. Then I'll pet my dog and snuggle with my spouse and read a good book while drinking hot tea. Because these things are all Glory Happening. and because, as Kaitlin says, "Our moments matter because our humanity matters, and if we can't find it in the chocolate aisle or by the assorted rice in the middle of our local marketplace, we will have a hard time finding it anywhere" (p.180).
I'm also appreciative of the bibliography and recommended reading that Kaitlin offers at the end of the book. I look forward to seeking out these titles and seeing if I can find as much meaning in them as she has.
If you too want to notice more of the beauty and grace and joy around you (and you don't mind heavily Christian language), I recommend that you pick up this little book, and savor it chapter by chapter. You won't regret it.
I'm also appreciative of the bibliography and recommended reading that Kaitlin offers at the end of the book. I look forward to seeking out these titles and seeing if I can find as much meaning in them as she has.
If you too want to notice more of the beauty and grace and joy around you (and you don't mind heavily Christian language), I recommend that you pick up this little book, and savor it chapter by chapter. You won't regret it.
November 6, 2017
Confession: I've not been much for books of reflection and prayer for some time now. I'll open the Book of Common Prayer every now and then, but something contemporary? No thanks.
Glory Happening steps in to the glaring void of thoughtful, contemplative reflections and guided prayers without becoming trite or scripted. Kaitlin writes with a striking authenticity and an attention to detail that draws the reader to narrate their own life differently. Aptly titled, I find myself after reading approaching my life looking for the ways in which glory is happening all around me, and often unbeknownst to me.
Kaitlin is not only a masterful storyteller, but a guide as she draws the reader to a contemplative space that is altogether uncommon in U.S. religious culture. She acts as a spiritual midwife in the pages of this book to help the reader move into the necessary discomfort of observing life as it is, and allowing it at the same time to be more than what we see. She models in story, then pulls up a chair and sits with the reader in the paradox.
A truly beautiful and much-needed book that I will revisit for years to come.
Glory Happening steps in to the glaring void of thoughtful, contemplative reflections and guided prayers without becoming trite or scripted. Kaitlin writes with a striking authenticity and an attention to detail that draws the reader to narrate their own life differently. Aptly titled, I find myself after reading approaching my life looking for the ways in which glory is happening all around me, and often unbeknownst to me.
Kaitlin is not only a masterful storyteller, but a guide as she draws the reader to a contemplative space that is altogether uncommon in U.S. religious culture. She acts as a spiritual midwife in the pages of this book to help the reader move into the necessary discomfort of observing life as it is, and allowing it at the same time to be more than what we see. She models in story, then pulls up a chair and sits with the reader in the paradox.
A truly beautiful and much-needed book that I will revisit for years to come.
November 1, 2017
Glory Happening is a journal of the eternal God showing up in the most ordinary of places.
Kaitlin Curtice has a remarkable gift for sensing God's presence. Whether remembering the past, washing the dishes, enjoying her kids, or fellowshipping with friends. It's all fertile ground for going further into her relationship with God and those around her.
At the end of each encounter, Curtice offers up a prayer that records her awareness and deep appreciation. These prayers form a spiritual chain among these experiences, linking them together.
The fact that Curtice is a Native American and freely shares from this heritage results in a deeply unique and satisfying book.
Kaitlin Curtice has a remarkable gift for sensing God's presence. Whether remembering the past, washing the dishes, enjoying her kids, or fellowshipping with friends. It's all fertile ground for going further into her relationship with God and those around her.
At the end of each encounter, Curtice offers up a prayer that records her awareness and deep appreciation. These prayers form a spiritual chain among these experiences, linking them together.
The fact that Curtice is a Native American and freely shares from this heritage results in a deeply unique and satisfying book.
Read
July 29, 2022I read this book as a daily devotional and highly recommend savoring her wisdom. Each chapter is a reflection of everyday moments and events that turn sacred and holy. Kaitlin B. Curtice ends her chapters with beautiful prayers, that are like poems and psalms, which I have read and reread praying them to God.
January 9, 2020
I admit I was quite surprised by this book after reading Kaitlin Curtis’ blog posts and articles online and hearing her speak at Evolving Faith. I think this was an interesting and refreshing take on a typical devotional style book, but it felt out of step with the ways I hear and read the author speaking about faith today. It must be hard for authors who are experiencing a shift in faith or philosophy to write publicly through those experiences. Still, I am so looking forward to her next book!
May 12, 2020
I wanted to love this, because I saw her speak last week on a zoom call author event, and she was amazing in how she talks about decolonizing Christianity. My sense is that she’s grown up (? I don’t know how to say that without sounding condescending, yikes) since this book, now several years old, came out. I have high hopes for her newer one but this one was only fine, not brilliant, a few good nuggets but lots of faithy brightsiding that ar best just isn’t really my jam, and at worst treads a line of trite. She seems like a smart and thoughtful human and I’ll keep reading her though.
December 3, 2017
Kaitlin Curtice is a poet and a storyteller, a mystic and a beauty-finder. As someone who begs to find Beauty in the most unlikely of places, her words and thoughts and prayers were right up my alley. I would have liked to have heard and learned more about her Native American identity.
April 24, 2020
This book, like most "devotional" literature, was just not for me. I generally enjoy the author's writing a lot, and look forward to her forthcoming book, which will be a lot meatier than this one.
E-book note: The publisher formatted this book such that you cannot interact with the text, change the font, or even change the font size. This made it impossible to look up words or highlight passages, and it also made it incredibly hard to read. The font is tiny and is a dark grey, not black. The effect was sort of like the book was trying to avoid being read.
E-book note: The publisher formatted this book such that you cannot interact with the text, change the font, or even change the font size. This made it impossible to look up words or highlight passages, and it also made it incredibly hard to read. The font is tiny and is a dark grey, not black. The effect was sort of like the book was trying to avoid being read.
April 1, 2020
4.5 stars
A wonderful reminder to appreciate the joy and love and connection in small things—that are really not so small at all.
A wonderful reminder to appreciate the joy and love and connection in small things—that are really not so small at all.
March 12, 2020
Kaitlin Curtis does a fantastic job of giving us a look into her personal and spiritual life. I enjoyed using this book as a daily meditation. I could never read more than one or two a day because they needed to sit a while inside of me and allow me to ponder.
June 9, 2019
I picked this up because I’ve grown to appreciate Kaitlin’s work from following her on Twitter and am attempting to read more BIPOC writers this year. Turns out it was the perfect Eastertide read! It’s 50 short, devotional like chapters and prayers, all focusing on the theme of glory and the Kingdom coming.
Like others have said... you *can* read it straight through rather quickly, but it’s not ideal. This is a book to take slowly. I didn’t find mind-blowing insights, but I did find a kind, poetic companion for the Easter season. Looking forward to reading her next book!
Like others have said... you *can* read it straight through rather quickly, but it’s not ideal. This is a book to take slowly. I didn’t find mind-blowing insights, but I did find a kind, poetic companion for the Easter season. Looking forward to reading her next book!
November 7, 2017
We so often miss the sacred because we're looking for the spectacular. The holy is most often found in the ordinary. This is something I am learning daily in my own life. It's often easier to feel connected to God when I am walking in the woods, or standing at the edge of the ocean, or looking out over a mountain range. But what about in the quotidian moments that fill my life far more than those?
In folding laundry?
Making dinner?
The tasks that too often feel more like drudgery than liturgy?
Yet one of my favorite verses is in the Bible is when God tells the prophet Jeremiah to instruct the people of Israel, as they go into Babylonian captivity, "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce" (29:5). Why does He do this? Because he wants them to make a normal life even amidst exile, to plant gardens and eat from the fruits of their labors. God is a God who is so regularly found in the little minutiae of our day to day lives. Scripture is filled with such passages and, yet, so much of spiritual writing is more concerned with less mundane tasks than the sacredness of reading a story to your child before bed.
In her book Glory Happening: Finding the Divine in Everyday Places, Kaitilin B. Curtice writes in poetic, profound words how it is precisely in such mundane moments that the miraculous and the magnificence are found: whether it's watering plants, sharing a meal, or riding a stationary bike at the local YMCA that one most encounters the presence and love of God. It is the ordinary that is joyfully extraordinary.
Curtice writes small snapshot glimpse into her life and into the grace that can be found in family, community, and in finding one's own identity. Each chapter begins with a quote and ends with a prayer that reads like Psalms. She is a contemplative storyteller whose personal narratives gently lead the reader into meditating on one's own life, instead of merely telling a moral or spiritual lesson. Like any great writer, she shows, not tells the reader to Pay Attention. It's not just practicing the presence, it's being present.
Though a slender volume, you want want to rush through quickly but will love savoring, reflecting, and entering into the holiness that is found in the hours and days that comprise our lives.
The philosopher Simone Weil wrote, "To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least recognized need of the human soul." Curtice clearly sees this spiritual need to be tethered and finds ways to be so in something as simple as the companionship of a dog.
If you're looking for a beautiful book that will nourish and nurture a desire to open your eyes to the awe and wonder of the Divine in the daily, then I highly recommend this book.
In folding laundry?
Making dinner?
The tasks that too often feel more like drudgery than liturgy?
Yet one of my favorite verses is in the Bible is when God tells the prophet Jeremiah to instruct the people of Israel, as they go into Babylonian captivity, "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce" (29:5). Why does He do this? Because he wants them to make a normal life even amidst exile, to plant gardens and eat from the fruits of their labors. God is a God who is so regularly found in the little minutiae of our day to day lives. Scripture is filled with such passages and, yet, so much of spiritual writing is more concerned with less mundane tasks than the sacredness of reading a story to your child before bed.
In her book Glory Happening: Finding the Divine in Everyday Places, Kaitilin B. Curtice writes in poetic, profound words how it is precisely in such mundane moments that the miraculous and the magnificence are found: whether it's watering plants, sharing a meal, or riding a stationary bike at the local YMCA that one most encounters the presence and love of God. It is the ordinary that is joyfully extraordinary.
Curtice writes small snapshot glimpse into her life and into the grace that can be found in family, community, and in finding one's own identity. Each chapter begins with a quote and ends with a prayer that reads like Psalms. She is a contemplative storyteller whose personal narratives gently lead the reader into meditating on one's own life, instead of merely telling a moral or spiritual lesson. Like any great writer, she shows, not tells the reader to Pay Attention. It's not just practicing the presence, it's being present.
Though a slender volume, you want want to rush through quickly but will love savoring, reflecting, and entering into the holiness that is found in the hours and days that comprise our lives.
The philosopher Simone Weil wrote, "To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least recognized need of the human soul." Curtice clearly sees this spiritual need to be tethered and finds ways to be so in something as simple as the companionship of a dog.
If you're looking for a beautiful book that will nourish and nurture a desire to open your eyes to the awe and wonder of the Divine in the daily, then I highly recommend this book.
October 22, 2017
Reading Glory Happening was like a cleansing exhale. Kaitlin Curtice's meditations on the glory of everyday life were relatable, poignant, and endearing. I found myself in her reflections and look forward to keeping this on my nightstand for comfort and inspiration.
**I received a copy from the publisher but all opinions are my own.**
**I received a copy from the publisher but all opinions are my own.**
July 28, 2019
Curtice takes life's simple moments and reveals their glory for those who have eyes to see. Sometimes the pace feels oh-so-slow, but I stuck with it, reading slowly over weeks as a way of remembering that my life, too, has glory written all over it. My favorite story came right at the end, #49: Hijab. Its beauty of connection had me in tears.
"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." Henry David Thoreau (18)
"A world of reading brings a bounty far beyond us, and we find it creates a legacy to stretch far past us into every generation." (27)
A mystic: "one who has moved from mere belief systems or belonging systems to actual inner experience" Richard Rohr (29)
"I see that there are more facets to [Jesus'] being than we ever give him credit for, and that if we want to see them, it's going to take a great deal of time and vulnerability, a great deal of searching the open land of our hearts. His capacity for loving me will never be shaken as I search the wrinkle lines of his face, as I touch the palms of his rough-carpenter hands." (30)
Speak.
Speak of the world to us.
You are the wildest and holiest experience.
You are the greatest adventure.
You are the best miracle-maker.
You are the trust lover.
Your voice echoes inside of us,
digs its way into our bones and veings,
our senses and brains,
into the most hollow corners,
into the darkest spaces.
Oh, you fill us.
Fill us again and again,
in every experience, glory abounding.
Amen. (32)
"...the mystery of God takes us in and shelters us when we least expect it and most need it, to stay alive and tethered to everything that is good." (44)
"...when I lean into pain and let it run its sacred and difficult course, it teaches me something." (53)
Pastor Julie's Benediction
May the god who seeks you find you when you fall.
May the God who loves you take delight in your living.
May the God who sends you send you now with joy.
For in your gladness and in your grieving;
in your brokenness and in your healing;
in your faithfulness and in your leaving,
the God who made you and redeemed you
is the God who keeps you, still.
Amen. (117)
"...when we can't see what's ahead, a path is cleared, and we are no longer afraid, for glory lines the path at our feet, benedictions abounding." (118)
You remind us of who we once were,
who we are, and you challenge us to
become someone new in the days ahead.
For this, we are forever grateful,
because you never let us go
and you never stop honoring
who we are in the in-between times. (159)
O God of Mystery,
If I have tried to place you into a box,
break it.
No mold can hold you. (167)
Everywhere
you are solace
and everywhere we have a chance
to find our rest and our peace. (170)
"Sometimes it feels as if humanity is slipping away from us, that we've lost sight of each other adn ourselves, that we've forgotten how to care, how to be alive, how to play and enjoy each other's company. But then we come to the fountain." (174-175)
"What matters and what is dust in the wind? Do our little moments of joy or pleasure, our pings of grief and stress, mean anything...?
Absolutely. Our moments matter because our humanity matters, and if we can't find it in the chocolate aisle or by the assorted rice in the middle of our local marketplace, we will have a hard time finding it anywhere." (180)
"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." Henry David Thoreau (18)
"A world of reading brings a bounty far beyond us, and we find it creates a legacy to stretch far past us into every generation." (27)
A mystic: "one who has moved from mere belief systems or belonging systems to actual inner experience" Richard Rohr (29)
"I see that there are more facets to [Jesus'] being than we ever give him credit for, and that if we want to see them, it's going to take a great deal of time and vulnerability, a great deal of searching the open land of our hearts. His capacity for loving me will never be shaken as I search the wrinkle lines of his face, as I touch the palms of his rough-carpenter hands." (30)
Speak.
Speak of the world to us.
You are the wildest and holiest experience.
You are the greatest adventure.
You are the best miracle-maker.
You are the trust lover.
Your voice echoes inside of us,
digs its way into our bones and veings,
our senses and brains,
into the most hollow corners,
into the darkest spaces.
Oh, you fill us.
Fill us again and again,
in every experience, glory abounding.
Amen. (32)
"...the mystery of God takes us in and shelters us when we least expect it and most need it, to stay alive and tethered to everything that is good." (44)
"...when I lean into pain and let it run its sacred and difficult course, it teaches me something." (53)
Pastor Julie's Benediction
May the god who seeks you find you when you fall.
May the God who loves you take delight in your living.
May the God who sends you send you now with joy.
For in your gladness and in your grieving;
in your brokenness and in your healing;
in your faithfulness and in your leaving,
the God who made you and redeemed you
is the God who keeps you, still.
Amen. (117)
"...when we can't see what's ahead, a path is cleared, and we are no longer afraid, for glory lines the path at our feet, benedictions abounding." (118)
You remind us of who we once were,
who we are, and you challenge us to
become someone new in the days ahead.
For this, we are forever grateful,
because you never let us go
and you never stop honoring
who we are in the in-between times. (159)
O God of Mystery,
If I have tried to place you into a box,
break it.
No mold can hold you. (167)
Everywhere
you are solace
and everywhere we have a chance
to find our rest and our peace. (170)
"Sometimes it feels as if humanity is slipping away from us, that we've lost sight of each other adn ourselves, that we've forgotten how to care, how to be alive, how to play and enjoy each other's company. But then we come to the fountain." (174-175)
"What matters and what is dust in the wind? Do our little moments of joy or pleasure, our pings of grief and stress, mean anything...?
Absolutely. Our moments matter because our humanity matters, and if we can't find it in the chocolate aisle or by the assorted rice in the middle of our local marketplace, we will have a hard time finding it anywhere." (180)
November 25, 2017
I am not sure how I came to follow Kaitlin Curtice on Twitter, but I did and my Twitter feed has been better for it. She is a speaker & worship leader and writer who has been featured in Sojourners. If you have followed her blog through the month of November, she has been blogging daily, her reflections on Native American Awareness Month her experience as a Potawatomi woman. Her blog, articles, and social media presence challenge white, eurocentric Christianity and remind us of the diversity of the Kingdom of God and Christ's heartbeat for justice.
Her new book, Glory Happening: Finding the Divine in Everyday Places (Paraclete Press: 2017) explores God's glory in everyday life in ordinary life. Like Kathleen Norris's Quotidian Mysteries, Curtice interrogates her daily life for glimpses of the divine. She explores the dimensions of her life as a Native American Christian, a woman, a wife and mother of two, to see what it reveals of God's glory. Each chapter of this book is a snapshot of her life, combined with a short, poetic prayer addressed to God or Jesus.
Curtice observes that in the Bible and Christian tradition, God's glory is made manifest in various ways (introduction, xiii). The ways God's glory are manifest provide the structure for the book, the 50 entries are arranged in seven sections: creation, light, weight, voice, fire, honor, worship, and kingdom. There are 6 or 7 entries for each section (with the exception of fire, which only has 4). The brief entries and accompanying prayer make this a perfect daily devotional to awake our sense of God.
The chapters run the gambit of Curtice's life experience. She describes her marriage and family life, pregnancy, the wonder in eyes of her two sons, reflections on her native identity, remembrances of conversations and encounters with other people and cultures, and the wisdom of authors and teachers.
Pervading all this is a sense of celebration and gratitude for life, which I find really refreshing. Especially since Curtice is something of an activist with eyes-wide-open to the injustices of the dominant culture in the United States (e.g. against Native Americans, African Americans, Muslims, etc). It is easy for activist types to come across as cynical and jaded but I got none of that from this book. This isn't to say she is overly rosy about our current cultural moment. Just that she trusts that God's glory is made manifest and holds out a strong hope for the Kingdom coming.
The prayer that closes the book captures this sense of trust, hope and gratitude:
If you are like me, it is too easy to get bogged down by the pressures of daily life and a soul-numbing news cycle filled with the misdeeds of powerful men, convenient deceptions, and partisan politicking. Curtice pulls back the curtain a little to reveal the ways God's glory and kingdom are breaking into our present. It also doesn't hurt that Curtice is a great writer too! I give this book 4 stars - ★★★★
Notice of material connection: I received a copy of this book from Paraclete Press in exchange for my honest review.
Her new book, Glory Happening: Finding the Divine in Everyday Places (Paraclete Press: 2017) explores God's glory in everyday life in ordinary life. Like Kathleen Norris's Quotidian Mysteries, Curtice interrogates her daily life for glimpses of the divine. She explores the dimensions of her life as a Native American Christian, a woman, a wife and mother of two, to see what it reveals of God's glory. Each chapter of this book is a snapshot of her life, combined with a short, poetic prayer addressed to God or Jesus.
Curtice observes that in the Bible and Christian tradition, God's glory is made manifest in various ways (introduction, xiii). The ways God's glory are manifest provide the structure for the book, the 50 entries are arranged in seven sections: creation, light, weight, voice, fire, honor, worship, and kingdom. There are 6 or 7 entries for each section (with the exception of fire, which only has 4). The brief entries and accompanying prayer make this a perfect daily devotional to awake our sense of God.
The chapters run the gambit of Curtice's life experience. She describes her marriage and family life, pregnancy, the wonder in eyes of her two sons, reflections on her native identity, remembrances of conversations and encounters with other people and cultures, and the wisdom of authors and teachers.
Pervading all this is a sense of celebration and gratitude for life, which I find really refreshing. Especially since Curtice is something of an activist with eyes-wide-open to the injustices of the dominant culture in the United States (e.g. against Native Americans, African Americans, Muslims, etc). It is easy for activist types to come across as cynical and jaded but I got none of that from this book. This isn't to say she is overly rosy about our current cultural moment. Just that she trusts that God's glory is made manifest and holds out a strong hope for the Kingdom coming.
The prayer that closes the book captures this sense of trust, hope and gratitude:
Mystery of everything that we understand
and most certainly everything that we don't,
teach us to rest in this unknowing.
Teach us to rest in each other,
to rest in the presence of a stranger,
in the kindness that is always unexpected,
that surprises us, that gives us a taste of you,
as much as we can bare[sic] to understand.
You are Creation,
you are Light,
you are Weight,
you are Voice.
You hold Fire,
you give Honor,
you gift Worship,
and you are Kingdom,
yesterday,
today,
tomorrow.
Hallelujah
for all the glory.
Amen.
If you are like me, it is too easy to get bogged down by the pressures of daily life and a soul-numbing news cycle filled with the misdeeds of powerful men, convenient deceptions, and partisan politicking. Curtice pulls back the curtain a little to reveal the ways God's glory and kingdom are breaking into our present. It also doesn't hurt that Curtice is a great writer too! I give this book 4 stars - ★★★★
Notice of material connection: I received a copy of this book from Paraclete Press in exchange for my honest review.
November 9, 2017
One of the things I truly enjoyed about this book, is its layout. Very short, concise chapters, more like blog posts. It allowed me to read a chapter two in a short time while at work or during a commercial break while watching TV. One of my "pet peeves" is having to stop reading in the middle of a page or even worse a paragraph! I like to read to the end of a chapter or at least a section break. This layout was perfect for me.
Ms. Curtice, who I only know through Twitter, and I have very different views on faith. She is a very strong and dedicated Christian and this book shows you exactly why. If my wife and I had the same wonderful "small group" type of experiences and support of friends that she and her family had we would probably still be churchgoers and not agnostic. Her stories of meals shared and the small group of "mothers and mothers-to-be" while the "fathers and fathers-to-be" met almost had me in tears.
But chapter 39, "A Church For The Children" may be my favorite. It tells us that the Church is not the building, it is then people, the land, nature itself. What she likes to call "Kingdom" I call "Nature".
Ms. Curtice's Patawomi heritage and my ancient Pagan, Druidic heritage do meet somewhere. Our views on Jesus are quite different, but we both agree that there is a better world out there somewhere.
Her stories of her husky Sam (everybody loves stories about animals) and the "stray" Sasha show how her views of "Kingdom" work with everyday life.
I found this book very uplifting. I even read her original prayers that end each chapter, although I do admit I found them a bit too "Jesusy" for me (is that even a word?). This book will lift your spirit, show you what is good in the world and hopefully ground you in your belief.
Kindle users beware! This book (as of now) is NOT properly formatted for a Kindle. It will not display properly in landscape mode. The text is just in the middle of the page, very small and hard to read. This is on a Samsung Tablet with the Kindle App. It may be different on an actual Kindle.
I only gave it 4 stars due to the formatting issue. The content deserves 5 stars. Didn't see a way to make a 4.5 stars to split the difference.
Ms. Curtice, who I only know through Twitter, and I have very different views on faith. She is a very strong and dedicated Christian and this book shows you exactly why. If my wife and I had the same wonderful "small group" type of experiences and support of friends that she and her family had we would probably still be churchgoers and not agnostic. Her stories of meals shared and the small group of "mothers and mothers-to-be" while the "fathers and fathers-to-be" met almost had me in tears.
But chapter 39, "A Church For The Children" may be my favorite. It tells us that the Church is not the building, it is then people, the land, nature itself. What she likes to call "Kingdom" I call "Nature".
Ms. Curtice's Patawomi heritage and my ancient Pagan, Druidic heritage do meet somewhere. Our views on Jesus are quite different, but we both agree that there is a better world out there somewhere.
Her stories of her husky Sam (everybody loves stories about animals) and the "stray" Sasha show how her views of "Kingdom" work with everyday life.
I found this book very uplifting. I even read her original prayers that end each chapter, although I do admit I found them a bit too "Jesusy" for me (is that even a word?). This book will lift your spirit, show you what is good in the world and hopefully ground you in your belief.
Kindle users beware! This book (as of now) is NOT properly formatted for a Kindle. It will not display properly in landscape mode. The text is just in the middle of the page, very small and hard to read. This is on a Samsung Tablet with the Kindle App. It may be different on an actual Kindle.
I only gave it 4 stars due to the formatting issue. The content deserves 5 stars. Didn't see a way to make a 4.5 stars to split the difference.
January 19, 2022
I loved the title and the prospect of discovering the divine in everyday places.
Too often I get caught up in my busy schedule, my lists, and my internal "shoulds," and I miss God's whispers of glory, I forget to be grateful for the ubiquitous blessings around me, hot coffee in the morning, shared glasses of wine at a winery, laughter with friends, heart-to-hearts with my adult children, walking in the evening with my husband.
There is glory everywhere, echoes of God's goodness in the ordinary and the not-so-ordinary moments of life.
Kaitlin Curtice organizes her book with a series of 50 short journal-type reflections, each starting with an insightful epigraph, and ending followed with an original poem-prayer.
I found this useful for morning devotions, reminders to look for where God is at work in my life, even when it might not seem like it.
Some chapters spoke to me deeply, and others not so much, but who's to say that those chapters might not speak to someone else? Who knows?
She closes with a practice she and her husband have of making a list "of the way God has provided, of spiritual moments that have kept [them] going these past year" (182).
And this is a fitting close to her book, prompting me to think of how many times God has "showed me that every moment was cared for, crafted for something good and holy, something to give us meaning, something to lead us on" (182). And I thought, this would be a good practice.
How else do we walk through those times when we feel like we are alone in the world and no one, not even God, is there for us?
I am disappointed to leave this book behind.
But there are more books.
Too often I get caught up in my busy schedule, my lists, and my internal "shoulds," and I miss God's whispers of glory, I forget to be grateful for the ubiquitous blessings around me, hot coffee in the morning, shared glasses of wine at a winery, laughter with friends, heart-to-hearts with my adult children, walking in the evening with my husband.
There is glory everywhere, echoes of God's goodness in the ordinary and the not-so-ordinary moments of life.
Kaitlin Curtice organizes her book with a series of 50 short journal-type reflections, each starting with an insightful epigraph, and ending followed with an original poem-prayer.
I found this useful for morning devotions, reminders to look for where God is at work in my life, even when it might not seem like it.
Some chapters spoke to me deeply, and others not so much, but who's to say that those chapters might not speak to someone else? Who knows?
She closes with a practice she and her husband have of making a list "of the way God has provided, of spiritual moments that have kept [them] going these past year" (182).
And this is a fitting close to her book, prompting me to think of how many times God has "showed me that every moment was cared for, crafted for something good and holy, something to give us meaning, something to lead us on" (182). And I thought, this would be a good practice.
How else do we walk through those times when we feel like we are alone in the world and no one, not even God, is there for us?
I am disappointed to leave this book behind.
But there are more books.
May 9, 2020
Glory Happening is a small and gentle book of devotional readings and prayers. Having followed Kaitlin for a while I was expecting something with a bit more fire, and I expect that perhaps her next book will bring that out a bit more. Still, Glory Happening was a lovely reminder to look for God in the ordinary moments of our lives. Unfortunately, there are about 500 other books on the same subject and I didn't find anything that set this book apart from the pack. No 'aha!' moments, no new insights, no 'wow, I need to write this down!' segments.
That makes it really tough to review. I can't bring myself to give 5 stars, but at the same time if you are picking a devotional book it may as well be this one, so do I want to drag the rating down by giving it 4 stars?
Anyhow, Kaitlin writes with a calm and honest voice, and the combination of reflection on ordinary happenings and a prayer is a nice way to start the day. If you are looking for a little bit of peace in a crazy world, this book may be exactly what you need.
That makes it really tough to review. I can't bring myself to give 5 stars, but at the same time if you are picking a devotional book it may as well be this one, so do I want to drag the rating down by giving it 4 stars?
Anyhow, Kaitlin writes with a calm and honest voice, and the combination of reflection on ordinary happenings and a prayer is a nice way to start the day. If you are looking for a little bit of peace in a crazy world, this book may be exactly what you need.
November 15, 2017
I had already listened to parts of this book through Kaitlin’s story times on Twitter and Facebook, and the print version does not disappoint. Kaitlin tells stories about her everyday life, but looks deeper to find meaning and the presence of God in each moment. The stories are almost like paintings, with the author-artist drawing our attention to the holiness in every detail. After each story Kaitlin crafts a poem-prayer, lifting her words to God and inviting the reader into that moment. To be honest, there was a part of me that had been thinking, “A peaceful little book will be nice, but what I really want to read is something profound.” It didn’t take me more than one chapter to realize that I’d found a book full of both peace and profundity. It’s out of the quiet paying attention, to the quiet or not so quiet of our everyday lives, that God speaks to us — and all things profound start there.
December 31, 2017
I savored this book of essays of finding God’s grace in ordinary day to day life. Things I really liked about the book: I loved that it was divided into sections: creation; light; weight; voice; fire; honor; worship; and kingdom. Each section was introduced by scripture, followed by a series of brief stories, prefaced by a quote from an author or poet. I kept a pen handy to jot down discoveries of authors to try. Each story was followed by a prayer that reminded me of Celtic prayers of long ago.
I enjoyed most of the stories. Some were breathtakingly beautiful while others left me puzzled and were marked for a reread.
I didn’t rush reading Glory Happening because I wanted to treat it as a book of devotion. I expect I’ll return to it again to reread portions because it has a peaceful flow. Chapter 49 was a very healing chapter for me and to me was the heart of the book.
Ms. Curtice is very young. I look forward to watching her grow as a Christian author.
I enjoyed most of the stories. Some were breathtakingly beautiful while others left me puzzled and were marked for a reread.
I didn’t rush reading Glory Happening because I wanted to treat it as a book of devotion. I expect I’ll return to it again to reread portions because it has a peaceful flow. Chapter 49 was a very healing chapter for me and to me was the heart of the book.
Ms. Curtice is very young. I look forward to watching her grow as a Christian author.
April 2, 2018
Glory happening allows us to follow a Christian couple and their journey to parenthood, advanced education and various hardships. Written through the eyes of the author, Kaitlin, we witness how God is an integral part of their lives wherever they go. Small living quarters, busy hyper energetic son, a limited budget coupled with a love of the Lord. Making lemonade out of lemons and thanking God for the product is the backbone of this book. The strong faith and strength of this couple is quite inspiring. I enjoyed it but was not in love with it.
January 7, 2018
This a great book for learning to 'see God' in our daily lives. Beautifully written. There are 50 writings; I recommend reading one a day/week rather than reading it through. I really enjoyed the book. It challenged me to look more closely at my regular daily life. I do think women will connect better with her illustrations than men will. I decided early on to look past those and try to embrace the 'seeing' skill in my male world too.
August 5, 2018
Glory Happening is an easy and enjoyable read. It’s an engaging and poetic little book of prayer that encourages readers to see and feel the glory of God in ordinary moments and the mundane, repetitive tasks of human life. Kaitlin B. Curtice does a wonderful job reminding us the the church is a kingdom, not a building and it is just as (if not more) alive around a coffee or breakfast table as it is in a Sunday school classroom or sanctuary.
July 26, 2019
I absolutely loved this book. It took me a while to finish because I wanted it to. Once I'd read the first few chapters, I chose to read it more like a devotional because of the peace it seemed to bring. I reached for it often at the end of a stressful day and it never failed to serve as a reset - like a deep breath of fresh air.
I foresee purchasing several copies for gifts for friends and family.
I foresee purchasing several copies for gifts for friends and family.
November 7, 2017
This is the exact book we need right now with our world where it is. Glory Happening is full of normal, everyday encounters with God, proving to each reader that He wants to meet us where we are too. Kaitlin's words are like a balm to a blistered heart, a deep-rooted tree in a tumultuous world. God is so good and His glory is everywhere--so long as we can learn to recognize it.
April 13, 2018
This was a mix between devotional and collection of essays. my favorite were the prayers between each section - just beautifully written poetry. Since the chapters were short, this was a fast read but I did feel like I was missing pieces of explanation, especially at the beginning. At times a bit earth mothery, overall this was a good and different read and allowed me to see God in fresh ways.
August 17, 2018
An easy book to read at any pace, each chapter provides a wonderful story and a prayer. Each chapter brought a different blessing, and I will be revisiting chapters and prayers as part of my regular contemplative practice. Her writing is beautiful, honest, full of imagery, and I find it to be inspired and compelling.
December 29, 2018
Thoughtful and calming
This book took me much longer to read than my usual fictional novels. I had to read slowly and carefully to understand what I thought the author was saying — but it was worth that slow and thoughtful reading! I especially enjoyed thinking about seeing God and grace in many small, everyday things and interactions. Thank you, Kaitlin Curtice.
This book took me much longer to read than my usual fictional novels. I had to read slowly and carefully to understand what I thought the author was saying — but it was worth that slow and thoughtful reading! I especially enjoyed thinking about seeing God and grace in many small, everyday things and interactions. Thank you, Kaitlin Curtice.
April 24, 2019
This is a book you need to read more than once. Just as glory is found hidden in everyday places, there are bits and pieces of treasure to be picked up in the pages of this book. I most loved the prayers at the end of each story. I'm glad I got this and will revisit to see what I discover the second time around.
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