Praise is the only path to God--at least this is what many of us have been taught. But the notion that we have to be positive all the time, putting on a happy face through anger, frustration, and pain, hinders our ability not only to heal ourselves and society, but to have an authentic relationship with the Divine. We long to connect with God over the very real sorrow in our lives and in the world around us, but so many of us were never shown how. This lack of knowing how to lament--an ancient practice of expressing anger and pain to God--damages us personally and spiritually. Pastor Abby Norman is here to tell us that we can talk to God like that. In her fresh, tell-it-like-it-is voice, she unpacks the power of lament, providing us with the tools and the grace-filled permission to heal the problems we have been ignoring for too long. She shows us how to express our laments to God and to each other when things are definitely not okay. And through this process we will discover a richer connection with God--who has wanted nothing more than our whole selves from the start.
Abby Norman is a writer, blogger, speaker, and licensed local pastor in the United Methodist Church. Her writing has been featured in Huffington Post, SheLoves Magazine, and The Mudroom. Abby lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her college sweetheart, two daughters, and a very bad dog.
"In a moment when many around the world are experiencing grief, it's also clear that many of us have forgotten how to lament. Abby Norman's timely and wise book will help anyone who struggles with the language and expression of lament, whether collective or individual." --Kaya Oakes, author of The Nones Are Alright and The Defiant Middle "This book is an absolute gem of straight-talking encouragement and practical wisdom for anyone who's frustrated by the lack of authenticity in church. Everyone needs an Abby Norman in their life: she has a rare gift of writing about unresolved suffering that will leave you feeling seen, hugged, and galvanized at the same time." --Tanya Marlow, pastoral theologian and author of Those Who Wait "Abby has given us the gift of her story and a much-needed invitation to revisit the heartbeat of the Psalms, bringing our honest emotions, reactions, and questions to a loving God." --Ed Cyzewski, author of Flee, Be Silent, Pray: Ancient Prayers for Anxious Christians "Abby invites us to lose our 'church face' and be honest--not only with ourselves and each other, but especially with God." --Idelette McVicker, founder and president, SheLoves Media Society
