A Spacious Life: Trading Hustle and Hurry for the Goodness of Limits

In this meditative guide, Hales (Finding Holy in the Suburbs), host of the Finding Holy podcast, invites readers to accept more limits as a means of creating space for happiness and “God’s loving spirit” in life. Rather than embrace a hectic lifestyle of “doing it all,” Hales suggests another way: flourishing while viewing limits as blessings instead of curses. She emphasizes “finding beauty and purpose in ordinary elements,” which she illustrates with biblical examples and personal stories (such as comparing enjoying a quiet Sunday to Jesus napping after his wanderings through the wilderness). Quirky chapter titles capture the author’s playful spirit, as with “Jesus Isn’t on Instagram,” in which Hales examines society’s preoccupation with social media and implores readers to cut back on spending time tailoring their image for others, and “Love Is Not a Cocktail Party,” in which she champions the values of active listening and paying attention to others “in the same manner I’ve paid attention to myself.” Hales’s suggestion to make more space for Jesus in one’s life will resonate with Christians who feel harried by the busyness of modern living. Those who enjoy the work of Lysa TerKeurst should take a look. (Sept.)