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God's Joyful Surprise: Finding Yourself Loved
The bestselling author's inspiring account of her spiritual journey into discovering the love of God. "Beautifully written . . . the message and challenge of the book is profound. . . . This book will awaken your longing and set you off on your own spiritual journey."— Today's Christian Woman "A joy to read from beginning to end."— Virtue Magazine Sue Monk Kidd explores the thrilling possibilities of God's everlasting love. God's Joyful Surprise makes an important statement about devotion to God rather than activity. Strands of humor and warmth woven throughout make it a joy to read from beginning to end.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
442 people are currently reading
1820 people want to read
About the author
Sue Monk Kidd
52 books14k followersSue Monk Kidd was raised in the small town of Sylvester, Georgia, a place that deeply influenced the writing of her first novel The Secret Life of Bees. She graduated from Texas Christian University in 1970 and later took creative writing courses at Emory University and Anderson College, as well as studying at Sewanee, Bread Loaf, and other writers’ conferences. In 2016, TCU conferred on her an honorary doctor of letters degree. She was inducted into the South Carolina Academy of Authors in 2011 and into the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame in 2022.
Her book When the Heart Waits, published by Harper San Francisco in 1990 has become a touchstone on contemplative spirituality. The Dance of the Dissident Daughter, also published by Harper in 1996, describes Kidd’s journey into feminist theology, a memoir that had a groundbreaking effect within religious circles.
When her first novel, The Secret Life of Bees, was published by Viking in 2002, it became a genuine literary phenomenon, spending more than 2½ years on the New York Times bestseller list. It has been translated into over 36 languages and sold more than 8 million copies worldwide. Bees was named the Book Sense Paperback Book of the Year in 2004, long-listed for the 2002 Orange Prize in England, and won numerous other awards. For over a decade, the novel was produced on stage by The American Place Theater, and in 2008 it was adapted into a movie by Fox Searchlight, which won the People’s Choice award for best movie and the NAACP Image award for best picture. An Off Broadway musical of Bees ran at The Atlantic Theater in 2019, winning the AUDELCO VIV award for best musical, and debuted in London at the Almeida Theater in 2023. The novel is taught widely in middle school, high school, and college classrooms.
Kidd’s second novel, The Mermaid Chair, has sold well over a million copies since its publication by Viking in 2005, reaching #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and remaining on the hardcover and paperback lists for nine months. Winner of the 2005 Quill Award for General Fiction, the novel was longlisted for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, translated into 28 languages, and made into a television movie by Lifetime.
The spiritual essays, meditations, and inspirational stories Kidd wrote in her thirties were collected into a single volume, Firstlight: The Early Inspiration Writings and published by Guideposts Books in 2006 and Penguin in 2007.
After traveling with her daughter, Ann Kidd Taylor, to sacred sites in Greece, Turkey, and France, Kidd and Taylor co-authored a memoir, Traveling with Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story. Published by Viking in 2009, it appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including the New York Times list and has been published in several languages.
The Invention of Wings, Kidd’s third novel was published in 2014 by Viking. It debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list where it spent a total of 9 months. It has sold nearly 2 million copies and been translated into over 20 languages. The novel has won several literary awards, including the Florida Book of Year Award and the SIBA Book Award. It was a Goodreads Readers Choice Award runner up, nominated for the International Dublin Literary Award, and chosen for Oprah’s Book Club 2.0.
Kidd’s much anticipated fourth novel, The Book of Longings, was published on April 21, 2020 to widespread critical and reader acclaim. It immediately landed at the top of the bestseller lists, reaching #5 on The New York Times Hardcover Fiction list, #1 on the IndieBound bestseller list, and #2 on the Associated Press bestseller List. The novel was a finalist for Book-of-the-Month Club’s Book of the Year Award, a Goodreads Readers Choice Award runner up, a Heather’s Pick (Indigo Books) in Canada, and a Australian Women’s Day Great Read Pick. It has been translated into 17 languages thus far.
She lives in North Carolina with her husband, Sandy, and dog, Barney.
Her book When the Heart Waits, published by Harper San Francisco in 1990 has become a touchstone on contemplative spirituality. The Dance of the Dissident Daughter, also published by Harper in 1996, describes Kidd’s journey into feminist theology, a memoir that had a groundbreaking effect within religious circles.
When her first novel, The Secret Life of Bees, was published by Viking in 2002, it became a genuine literary phenomenon, spending more than 2½ years on the New York Times bestseller list. It has been translated into over 36 languages and sold more than 8 million copies worldwide. Bees was named the Book Sense Paperback Book of the Year in 2004, long-listed for the 2002 Orange Prize in England, and won numerous other awards. For over a decade, the novel was produced on stage by The American Place Theater, and in 2008 it was adapted into a movie by Fox Searchlight, which won the People’s Choice award for best movie and the NAACP Image award for best picture. An Off Broadway musical of Bees ran at The Atlantic Theater in 2019, winning the AUDELCO VIV award for best musical, and debuted in London at the Almeida Theater in 2023. The novel is taught widely in middle school, high school, and college classrooms.
Kidd’s second novel, The Mermaid Chair, has sold well over a million copies since its publication by Viking in 2005, reaching #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and remaining on the hardcover and paperback lists for nine months. Winner of the 2005 Quill Award for General Fiction, the novel was longlisted for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, translated into 28 languages, and made into a television movie by Lifetime.
The spiritual essays, meditations, and inspirational stories Kidd wrote in her thirties were collected into a single volume, Firstlight: The Early Inspiration Writings and published by Guideposts Books in 2006 and Penguin in 2007.
After traveling with her daughter, Ann Kidd Taylor, to sacred sites in Greece, Turkey, and France, Kidd and Taylor co-authored a memoir, Traveling with Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story. Published by Viking in 2009, it appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including the New York Times list and has been published in several languages.
The Invention of Wings, Kidd’s third novel was published in 2014 by Viking. It debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list where it spent a total of 9 months. It has sold nearly 2 million copies and been translated into over 20 languages. The novel has won several literary awards, including the Florida Book of Year Award and the SIBA Book Award. It was a Goodreads Readers Choice Award runner up, nominated for the International Dublin Literary Award, and chosen for Oprah’s Book Club 2.0.
Kidd’s much anticipated fourth novel, The Book of Longings, was published on April 21, 2020 to widespread critical and reader acclaim. It immediately landed at the top of the bestseller lists, reaching #5 on The New York Times Hardcover Fiction list, #1 on the IndieBound bestseller list, and #2 on the Associated Press bestseller List. The novel was a finalist for Book-of-the-Month Club’s Book of the Year Award, a Goodreads Readers Choice Award runner up, a Heather’s Pick (Indigo Books) in Canada, and a Australian Women’s Day Great Read Pick. It has been translated into 17 languages thus far.
She lives in North Carolina with her husband, Sandy, and dog, Barney.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
January 21, 2008
I LOVED IT! It really makes the Christian life "liveable" in ways that are NOT "uptight" and "legalistic", (meaning every thing has to be done exactly right, down to the letter; no exceptions). Sue Monk Kidd points out that the same delight of finding a surprise in her mortal father's hand, can be found in the joy of finding out what God has in store for you; the love He has for, and wants to give you, unconditionally.
April 21, 2013
This was definitely the right book at the right time. If I owned it rather than borrowed this from the library, I would have been underlining whole paragraphs. I needed the reminders about God, prayer, paying attention and presence that Kidd provides.
It was odd to be reading this book after finishing Kidd's The Dance of the Dissident Daughter. In that, Kidd realizes that she is in need of a feminist spiritual awakening. So as part of her journey, she looked at how she saw God. By the end of Dance, Kidd is seeing God as feminine. This earlier book refers to God as he very, very often. I am already uncomfortable with God as masculine, but reading Kidd's feminist book and then this one made the masculine pronouns even weirder. I probably should not have read them so close together.
For all the strangeness about God's gender, I found Kidd's book very helpful. She is honest in her depictions of her spiritual life and it seems too close to mine. I don't spend enough time just being present. I am very stressed for a number of reasons and I keep forgetting that some space and quiet would be helpful. Many of Kidd's discoveries are familiar, but I can always use a refresher course.
I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for new ways to see and experience God and are not familiar with contemplative prayer. Also to those who need a reminder that showing up is important. This is more in line with traditional Christianity, so it may appeal to some people who would be uncomfortable with Kidd's spiritual journey in The Dance of the Dissident Daughter.
It was odd to be reading this book after finishing Kidd's The Dance of the Dissident Daughter. In that, Kidd realizes that she is in need of a feminist spiritual awakening. So as part of her journey, she looked at how she saw God. By the end of Dance, Kidd is seeing God as feminine. This earlier book refers to God as he very, very often. I am already uncomfortable with God as masculine, but reading Kidd's feminist book and then this one made the masculine pronouns even weirder. I probably should not have read them so close together.
For all the strangeness about God's gender, I found Kidd's book very helpful. She is honest in her depictions of her spiritual life and it seems too close to mine. I don't spend enough time just being present. I am very stressed for a number of reasons and I keep forgetting that some space and quiet would be helpful. Many of Kidd's discoveries are familiar, but I can always use a refresher course.
I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for new ways to see and experience God and are not familiar with contemplative prayer. Also to those who need a reminder that showing up is important. This is more in line with traditional Christianity, so it may appeal to some people who would be uncomfortable with Kidd's spiritual journey in The Dance of the Dissident Daughter.
November 25, 2008
Well, this book falls in the category of book I don't like because the people involved are so stupid. The author is driving herself and everyone around her crazy with stuff (a beyond crazy amount of stuff). She turns her extreme needs to be doing things and achieving to creating a relationship with God, which is just another incarnation of getting graded on how good a Christian you are. Dance of the Dissident Daughter was much better, at least at the time I read it. Maybe you have to be at a certain developmental level spiritually to be able to get much out of the books she writes.
June 10, 2021
Not at all what I expected! I have been wanting to read Sue Monk Kidd, but think of her as a voice for the Sacred Feminine, the Feminine Face of the Divine. I was so surprised, when I happened to choose this book to start with (pure chance--I wasn't going in order of her publication dates) to find this early (maybe first?) book to be about her very mainstream Christian foundation. I appreciated her struggle to move from rigid, by-the-book Christian to an inner-focused, more loving and fruitful sense of God. However for me, the talk of even the word God, and especially the constant referral to "Him," and the Christian aspects, focus on the Bible, and many of her specific struggles were not at all relatable. Still, I was touched and intrigued by her process of spiritual development. Aspects of how she used Biblical portions and other readings reminded me of the practical, applied spirituality of, say, 12-Step Programs with do-able actions of how to release blocks to God/Spirit/Higher Power and resentments towards others. I could feel her integrity, profound yearning and dedication. Her writing here is not eloquent nor polished, but adequate enough that I was, by the end, moved by it. I was utterly struck by her ability to enter into Biblical scenes and experience imaginal transformation. Fascinating! She offers these rich imagining visualizations as a tool she developed spontaneously, but I wonder how many people will be able to have such vivid, real, deep experiences of both being "in" the settings as well as getting the transformational learnings. Nonetheless, that was striking to me. Especially toward the final chapter or two, her moving words about gratefulness and stories about open-heartedness quickened a longing in me for that experience of immanence which she has cultivated and thus by which she is often graced.
September 14, 2017
Part memoir, part introductory handbook to spiritual disciplines, Kidd provides a work that I found best to read in multiple sittings. She draws on the work of Brother Lawrence, Henri Nouwen, Richard Foster, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and many other spiritual writers who have addressed spiritual disciplines.
March 16, 2025
really good read! definitely recommend reading this if you are a Christian 💞
May 10, 2019
Back in November, I visited Austin, TX and grabbed this book in a cute little church coffee shop... and I juuuuust now actually finished it. I’ve loved her fiction books but have especially loved her faith/memoir writing (like When the Heart Waits). This one is a really personal account of her journey into discovering more of God’s love in her life— a love that is so much less about doing and more about being. It did feel a little dated (it was first published in the 80s), but I found it refreshing to have less references to technology and a more simple and natural approach to slowing down and experiencing more of God’s love through solitude, family, nature, prayer, etc. I wasn’t wowed by it (and clearly wasn’t super motivated to keep reading it often), but did find many encouraging snippets throughout and found it to be a good reminder to slow down, be still, and know that God is God.
April 1, 2018
Sue Monk Kidd's book, When the Heart Waits: Spiritual Direction for Life's Sacred Questions, is one of my favorite books of all time. God's Joyful Surprise is somewhat of a prequel to that book, written earlier in her married life when she still had small children at home. It tells her journey from a frantically overcommitted life to one more simple and full of God's presence. I appreciate her honesty and transparency about her own spiritual walk. She gives many practical ideas from great spiritual writers and faithful practitioners for learning to live in rhythm with God, hear God's voice, and love like God loves.
May 18, 2020
I rarely write reviews, somewhat because I’m not a great writer, but also who really cares about my opinion on a book. I enjoyed Sues book the Secret Life of Bees and so thought I would try this book as well. Honestly, I thought it was another novel. As, I began to read, I was drawn into some areas God was already speaking to my heart. Sue gave a framework to some of my own recent experience. She validated the amount of time change takes. Her valuable practices are a challenge to draw nearer to the heart of God. I have highlighted much of the book. Thanks for the contemplative journey with you, Sue.
March 25, 2014
Reread for the 3rd or fourth time. I wanted to reread it before passing it along to a book club member. We had mentioned her latest book at our meeting and it reminded me of Sue Monk Kidd's initial (that I know of) venture into writing books. Well written, personal, well researched. Low-key but honestly sharing her spiritual journey. I wish she'd write a sequel of a personal nature to see where she's been spiritually since the mid-80s!
June 25, 2014
This book is interesting from the perspective of understanding the beginnings of a spiritual journey of a writer I admire and appreciate. But there was a long journey between this memoir and Kidd's contemporary work. " Dance of a dissident daughter" is a necessary read to more fully understand Kidd's evolution. Put together... A good study. On its own, this book is rather flat.
July 9, 2023
This was my second time reading this fabulous, instructive book. I highly recommend it to anyone who desires a closer walk with God and a deeper spiritual life.
April 26, 2025
An absolutely amazing read, very very powerful and God used it to bless me at a time that my own life went into a hiatus while He showed me the importance of seeking His will, getting everything in the right priority order, and most importantly, learning to enjoy life. I think everyone should have to read this book at some point in their life, and it's especially valuable for those people who, like me, and the author at the beginning of the book, find themselves having a bit of an existential crisis and need divine comfort and reassurance and direction. It is very scriptural, raw real and honest, and you really feel like the author is talking to you like an intimate friend.
I do think that there were parts that were individual to her, such as going for spiritual retreats, and repeating a certain type of prayer practice that she'd been encouraged to get into based on the books she'd read, so I'm not saying all of it is relevant to everyone.
But this book is so helpful if it comes at the right time. I'm grateful beyond measure that God led her to write this, I think in this crazy busy culture where love and enjoyment are at the bottom of most people's priority lists, (even Christians!), this book is especially pertinent and needs to be paid attention to.
We can't leave it until we have some major health issue or drop down before finally deciding to get things in a better order and start enjoying the gift of life - this book urges people to start now!
I do think that there were parts that were individual to her, such as going for spiritual retreats, and repeating a certain type of prayer practice that she'd been encouraged to get into based on the books she'd read, so I'm not saying all of it is relevant to everyone.
But this book is so helpful if it comes at the right time. I'm grateful beyond measure that God led her to write this, I think in this crazy busy culture where love and enjoyment are at the bottom of most people's priority lists, (even Christians!), this book is especially pertinent and needs to be paid attention to.
We can't leave it until we have some major health issue or drop down before finally deciding to get things in a better order and start enjoying the gift of life - this book urges people to start now!
October 16, 2020
I'll write a longer review later but Kidd seems to experience and contemplate life similarly to Ann Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts. Kidd's vulnerability in sharing her story and her ability to break down what was happening at each stage of her spiritual growth is inspiring.
June 2, 2018
To be loved by God is the guarantee. Now what? What is the journey of love all about? We do get a glimpse in here and the author points us in a direction that cannot fail. All of life, even the hard parts, make sense, or are at least acceptable.
May 12, 2020
My spiritual director, gave me this book. We planned to read it & discuss it. I read the first three chapters and prepared to talk about it. Then fate — in the form of the holidays, setbacks & COVID-19 — intervened. I decided to forge ahead and finish reading. As a committed Christian, this book was a revelation. It prompted me to view my relationship with God differently. Sue Monk Kidd writes of establishing a climate of prayer; of creating a space for God and EXPERIENCING, not merely READING, The Bible. And those are just for starters. Via personal experience & self-discovery, the author shares her journey and in so doing, guides the reader on how to strengthen THEIR own walk with The Lord. Sue Monk Kidd gives much here to read, contemplate — and discuss.
August 3, 2019
I was really looking forward to reading this book because I like Sue Monk Kidd’s other books so much. I appreciate and respect it as a reflection of her spiritual journey. But as a non-Christian, I found it to be preachy at times and could hardly bear all of the references to Bible passages and other spiritual writers sprinkled throughout. There are a few nuggets of wisdom that resonated with me, so I forced myself to finish it. Probably the most frustrating aspect of the later chapters is how she almost defends as Christian what are clearly eastern approaches to spirituality such as meditation, mindfulness, and lovingkindness without giving a proper nod to their Buddhist origins.
July 10, 2018
2.5 stars. Not as well-written as I expected after first reading 2 of her novels. However, although I disagree with her current doctrine and was burdened with her lack of real discipleship, growing up in a baptist church and the daughter of a Baptist lay minister; I still gained a few insights and was challenged to live out my faith with the joy that comes from experiencing God's presence throughout each and every day.
August 31, 2017
It took me a really long time to get through this book. Some of it I found to be very repetitive, but if you can set that aside and get through it, there are some really excellent thoughts in this book. At times I felt like she wrote the book about my exact life and the thoughts on how to calm that down and become more centered were helpful to me.
July 24, 2020
This is truly a spiritual journey bringing God to the heart of one's life resulting in great peace. "And all will be well!"
Anyone searching for peace amidst the demands of daily life Depth brings joy. God's love points to a way to conquer all situations because He is with us!
Anyone searching for peace amidst the demands of daily life Depth brings joy. God's love points to a way to conquer all situations because He is with us!
April 4, 2016
I found myself slowing down my reading due to the wonderful nuggets of wisdom in this book. I found myself making quality time for prayer and I too, experienced what the author did. We did this in our bible study.
May 25, 2008
Great book... yet extremely convicting.
July 22, 2008
We studied this book in a women's spirituality class at college. It was very helpful and sparked great discussions. The class really bonded from it through sharing of others' stories.
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December 31, 2009I love Sue Monk Kidd! Full of thought-ful, thought-filled stories and encounters.
January 9, 2011
Very inspiring. I totally enjoy Sue's work. I've yet to read one of her books that I didn't love. Sue is one of the rare author's I like to re-read.
July 23, 2014
Bought this on a whim and was absolutely surprised by it. Lovely writing and easy to understand points.
June 13, 2016
Honest sharing of the struggle of life and relationship with God. The suthor shares vulnerability in her journey.
April 8, 2018
Loved this book. Finished and started again. My copy is full of sticky notes and highlights.
July 29, 2022
A memoir of SMK’s journey from earning love through action to resting in God’s love. A sweet and contemplative and relatable story.
August 14, 2020
I didn't know Sue Monk Kidd wrote spiritual books until I saw this older book on Bookbub. Because I like her fiction I thought I'd give it a try. It was interesting not only for the spiritual content, but also to learn a little about the life of an author I admire. It comes from a time in her younger life when Sue was a young mother trying to do too many things for everyone and driving herself crazy with it. She grew up thinking she would get points in heaven for all her good deeds, but she had no real depth to her faith and her relationship with God. This book describes her journey back to a healthier spiritual journey (because we are never done in this life) and a happier life. I enjoyed seeing that it took several years for her to change and she was open about where she was failing. The book seemed most appropriate to white, middle-class Americans and much of it is covered by others or "common sense" but she had several quotes and passages I did really like and that stayed with me for contemplation. Here's a few:
It is a fearful awareness that you and I are responsible for the extent we will be present to God. We choose. God has made it that way. His presence is magnanimous, yet He leaves it to us to notice him or not, to enter His presence and commune with Him on whatever level of intimacy we choose. His desire for communion with human creatures is surpassed only by the enormous freedom He gives us to enter his intimacy with Him.
"When you pray always, you don't pray exclusively. You pray simultaneously." he said, gazing at me with dark smiling eyes. "It is to pray when I catalog these books and eat lunch and make change. It is to keep up prayer beneath the surface lifting my hear to God during all my daily activities."
It is a fearful awareness that you and I are responsible for the extent we will be present to God. We choose. God has made it that way. His presence is magnanimous, yet He leaves it to us to notice him or not, to enter His presence and commune with Him on whatever level of intimacy we choose. His desire for communion with human creatures is surpassed only by the enormous freedom He gives us to enter his intimacy with Him.
"When you pray always, you don't pray exclusively. You pray simultaneously." he said, gazing at me with dark smiling eyes. "It is to pray when I catalog these books and eat lunch and make change. It is to keep up prayer beneath the surface lifting my hear to God during all my daily activities."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews