Ordinary Blessings: Prayers, Poems, and Meditations for Everyday Life

by Meta Herrick Carlson

The ordinary moments of life can be sacred, if we simply take a moment to notice. This collection of prayers, poems, and meditations offers a brief respite from the hectic, harried pace of our days. Open it when the spirit moves you or when the spirit feels distant--the words will be here to inspire, calm, and encourage you either way. From gifted poet and empathetic pastor Meta Herrick Carlson, Ordinary Blessings collects blessings for loving yourself, enduring hard things, authenticity, living with others, and the rhythms of each day. Pause, take a deep breath, and open these pages to find that you've been standing on holy ground all along.

Genres: Poetry, Religion, Nonfiction

130 pages, Hardcover

Published February 11, 2020

Reviews

[Audrey Marcusen McMacken · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a joy of a book. So much here to savor but on New Year's Eve Saturday I found my tired, sad, post call and on call self curled up in a chair reading all I hadn't the prior day. Some needed slow repeat reading as now was the time for them. This will be one to keep handy and come back to regularly. I think the "filming" as my husband would say of the content with a quicker read through will be nice to help remember what is there when it's a relevant time.

Perfect last read of 2022

[Lisa Lewton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a lovely book of blessings! I am excited to return to these words again and again.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning collection of blessings and prayers. Theologically sound and incredibly rich in wisdom.

[Heidi Barr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meta Carlson’s Ordinary Blessings gives voice to the everyday stuff of life that needs to be honored - from the mundane to the difficult. I found myself nodding along, marking page after page to return to when life calls for sacred acknowledgment. This book is a gift of actionable love to the world. Read it, not because a book will change your life, but because letting ordinary blessings into your earthly experience will.

[Melinda Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent devotional resource with prayers that I have found meaningful even during COVID-19. She writes with a raw, real, grounded spirituality, speaking plainly to the pain we know, to the joy that sometimes is buried deep but we cling to the hope of drawing it out. The prayer "For Space" was especially meaningful for me.

[Hannah Bergstrom de Leon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took my time with this book. With the lovely words, blessings and prayers Carlson has curated within three pages. Some of them stuck me exactly where I am and I know others will be so useful for my pastoral ministry. I am grateful to have this resource on my shelves.

[Elyse Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweet book of blessings by Meta Herrick Carlson came highly recommended by a friend. I’ve found some beautiful, insightful passgages that have hit me hard. It’s a smidge “Christian” for me, even though there’s no mention of Jesus or anything like that…but it did leave me longing for a more Jewish-leaning version of a similar idea. Regardless, this book is beautiful.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book/ resource for home devotions.

[Lee Pomrenke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the lyrical quality of these prayers - they are like poetry. At once poignant and holy.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

a lovely collection of prayers and blessings for everyday life.

[Maughn Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ideal for contemplative reading and for occasional sharing.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful prayerful poetry. It was truly soul food.

[Victoria Hoppes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely little book of blessings.

[Bonnie Wilcox]

Prayers for the every day -- such as "At the Bus Stop," as well as prayers for the clubs we didn't ever want to join "Infertility." These prayers will make a great gift for anyone searching for words to talk to God about anything! Meta's a wonderful crafter of words, and these words will touch your heart, no matter if you are spiritual and religious, or spiritual but not religious.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been waiting for a book like this to be written for so long. A beautiful, but petite book full of blessings for the mundane and meaningful moments of life.

[Olivia Herrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, thoughtful reflections on what it means to be human. A perfect companion for any and everyone navigating life's everyday challenges and wonders.