Flourish: Finding Purpose in the Unknown and Unexpected Seasons of Life

by Grace Wabuke Klein, Bob Goff (Foreword)

This guide to living well through all the seasons of life encourages readers to trust God's timing and hold onto hope in the periods of waiting. The trials of life can wear us down. Unexpected events force us to face a new reality and unanswered prayers lead us to a growing frustration about why God doesn’t intervene. We wonder if anything good can come out of this painful, dark, winter season.
 
Grace Wabuke Klein knows that there is purpose in our darkest days and seasons of waiting. In Flourish , Grace meets the reader in their heartache, disappointment, and pain and gives encouragement and a fresh perspective on the winter seasons we all go through, as well as practical steps to not just survive but to find purpose in the unknown and unexpected.
 
Drawing insight from her own winter seasons, Grace reveals the divine purpose in each season of our lives. She explains Grace discovered there is value and unseen gifts in each season, but only in the hard seasons and storms of life are vital spiritual disciplines developed. Flourish  connects with the reader in the tension and storms of life to bring a word of hope.

272 pages, Hardcover

Published August 8, 2023

Reviews

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flourish is such an encouraging read, focusing on finding purpose in the stormy seasons of our lives so we can persevere, develop, and flourish.

“May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
- Psalm 115: 14-15 NIV)

I love the author’s conversational tone, inspiring the reader, and cheering them on from the sidelines with her strong faith, personal stories, journal entries, and sound advice.

Using the four seasons, the author reveals the gifts of Fall, Spring and Summer, and the challenges of Winter—and how each has a purpose and allows us to look back at our growth through the years as we persevered, faltered, prospered, and grown.

“She speaks difficult truths, but she does it with her palms up.”
–Foreword, by Bob Goff

First Line: I got out of my car, keys in one hand and takeout in the other, glad that the blinking light on the dashboard had not caused any issues on the drive home.
Genre: Christian Spiritual Growth
Author: Grace Wabuke Klein
Page Count: 272

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Flourish, Grace Wabuke Klein explained how we can choose to see the hidden treasures in whatever seasons we are currently in. There is great purpose in our pain and in our darkest days. Throughout the book, she covered all of the season: fall, winter, spring, and summer. Fall is a time of release, winter is a time of unexpected challenges, spring is a time for new things to occur, and summer is everything is flourishing and growing. In the book, she explained her own darkest seasons. One of the big ones is her struggle with being single and not having any children. Like many people who are still single we are always being reminded constantly of a newly engaged couple and new baby on the way. She didn’t understand why God was making her wait this long to find a husband. She shared how at forty she just was sick and tired of being single. She was proudly servicing God and enjoyed being in full time ministry. She shared the different stages she experiences and the season of being single. It is extremely difficult to wait and trust God when we don’t see anything happening. Eventually, summer came around and she met her husband, Philip and got married at age forty two.



One of the most powerful lessons in the book is the topic of trees losing their leaves in the fall. We don’t every see them trying to glue their leaves back onto their branches. They learn to let go where we can flourish. The leaves actually fall and decompose and provide them with nutrients to keep growing stronger. We can in turn allow the things we need to let go of to make us stronger.


In the book, she also shared her challenges with being Black and how her parents and her were judged and told that they didn’t fit in at the church. The pastor wasn’t even welcoming and tried to get them to leave the church. She also shared a personal story about being overhearing a young boy asking his mother at the mall a very rude question. He asked why that little girl was dirty and didn’t take baths. He judged her by her skin being different and she explained how later she tried to wash off to where she wouldn’t be dirty any longer. She then relooked at what she would tell the young girl today. This story was heartbreaking but I liked how she spoke healing words into others who had negative comment spoken over their lives. This is just an incredible healing passage that readers need to let down into their spirits. She went into great detail about how we are a child of God and how we all need to know our true identity.


I would recommend this breathtaking book about flourishing during the different seasons of our lives. I really liked Grace’s writing style and how real she was in sharing her experiences and challenges with trusting God while being single. This book would greatly benefit single people if they are looking for a book from someone else who has walked the same journey and didn’t give up. This book would also be wonderful for someone who is struggling with finding their purpose and following their dreams. One of my favorite things, she shared was about how she later asked God why he made her wait so long to get married. He told her would she rather have faith for two years or for two decades deep. Wow! I also enjoyed how she enclosed some of her journals during the different seasons and we got to see a glimpse into what she was feeling at that time. I also loved the ideas she completed for other marriage couples and singles to be a blessing to others while she was waiting. I really loved the birthday idea in sponsor a child who shares the same birthday as you and giving them a gift. This book will assist you in flourishing through the different seasons of your life.







"I received this book free from the publisher, Hachette Book Group/Faithwords for my honest review.”

[Lance Lumley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flourish is an interesting look for Christian readers in encouraging them in certain seasons of their life when they may not know how to handle being in the place they are in.
The subtitle of the book states that the goal is "Finding Purpose in the Unknown and Unexpected Seasons of Life" by looking at the four seasons of the world; Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring, while breaking down the reasoning for each season's responsibilities in not only for the time but to prepare for the next upcoming event, as well as using excerpts from the author's personal journal entries for the reader to look as examples.
Don't assume that this is the same tree/rooted Christianity reference that you have always heard in church (although some points may be familiar). Klein takes a creative approach to this text that gives its appeal through her honesty with an artistic side of nature.


For an in-depth review, visit my page at https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/202...

[Nia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellant Read! Flourish is a book that is written from the heart. Grace's story of obedience, faithfulness, and trust in God is truly amazing and inspiring. Each chapter provided a fresh perspective on life's challenges, pain, and suffering, along with a beautiful message of God's love, the plans He has for you, and His presence in the midst of any struggles you might be facing. After reading Flourish, I was motivated, had a renewed strength, hope, and a deeper appreciation of God and my purpose. Thank you Grace !!

[Kate Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me feel seen and heard for the first time in so long! I ugly cried, held the book so tightly to my chest and heaved. I needed this book and I feel like a close personal friend to Author Grace. I will be praying for you and each reader as you enter the different seasons of life 🙏🏼

I 10/10 recommend this book no matter where you are in your spiritual journey! You will not regret it and I had the amazing opportunity to hear Grace preach at our sisterhood night about her inspiration and challenges in writing this book.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so beautifully written and easy to read. Grace is so relatable and her openness and vulnerability about her own story is such a powerful message. I love how Grace breaks the book down into seasons. Fall is about letting things go, Winter is surviving the storm, Spring being open to new things and Summer a time to reflect and celebrate. No matter what season of life you might be in, this book will encourage you and bring you hope.

[Amber Ginter Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In all seasons, we have a divine reason to praise our Creator. But this can be much more challenging when it comes to finding purpose in the pain, especially moments of the unknown and unexpected. I think Grace does a great job presenting a clear challenge to all readers while integrating simple and applicable advice.

[Wendy]

This book is really for the Believer. Grace takes us through a journey of what happens during the four seasons of life: fall, winter, spring and summer. If you are in a season what is difficult, don't fret because seasons do change.

[Kara Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace has a talent for encouraging people through every single season of life, both the good & really hard times. I appreciate her raw honesty and openness. Great read that points the reader towards hope.

[Halye Barlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING. Needed this book and this message. Strongly recommend for anyone no matter your season of life.

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one! Totally think everyone should read it!

[Heidi Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring and encouraging book! Grace Wabuke Klein shares from her heart the challenges she faced in various seasons of her life. As she described her long winter season of singleness, I wept as I related to her emotions. We all face seasons where we need to release past hurts & let go of toxic emotions. We also all face seasons of difficult challenges with unknown outcomes. Using personal examples, Grace shares concrete Biblical principles to help in such tough seasons and even thrive & grow in spite of challenges. She provides Godly hope & encouragement that new experiences and flourishing seasons are ahead. A great book for all Christians, especially those struggling in a difficult season of life or waiting for God’s answer to prayer.

[Nikka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Flourish. Grace Wabuke Klein’s way of describing the different seasons of life and connecting them to the natural seasons was both relatable and inspiring. Her reflections made me stop and think about where I am right now, and I was able to clearly identify the season of life I am in. What I loved most was how practical and encouraging her words felt; instead of rushing through, she shows how each season has a purpose and lessons we can grow from.

This is one of those books I know I will be reading again because it speaks differently depending on what season you are in. It is equal parts wisdom, encouragement, and gentle reminder that growth does not happen all at once but over time.

🌟 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Inspiring, hopeful, and deeply personal, Flourish is the kind of book that lingers with you and helps reframe life’s challenges as opportunities to grow.