Seven Spiritual Gifts of Waiting: Patience, Loss of Control, Living in the Present, Compassion, Gratitude, Humility, Trust in God [Paperback]

Holly W. Whitcomb (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2005

In America, waiting presents an enormous challenge. We are impatient, "fix-it" kinds of people — and not all situations can be fixed. This book presents seven spiritual gifts that waiting can teach us: Patience, Loss of Control, Live in the Present, Compassion, Gratitude, Humility, and Trust in God. An excellent resource during times of waiting within the church year including Advent and Lent, the book includes spiritual exercises and reflection questions for personal or group use as well as a retreat design.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Holly W.Whitcomb has been a clergywoman in the United Church of Christ since her graduation from Yale Divinity School in 1978, and has served churches in Connecticut, Iowa, and Wisconsin. She is also a graduate of the two-year training program for spiritual directors at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Bethesda, MD. As the Director of Kettlewood Retreats, Holly is a retreat leader and spiritual director who travels to churches, retreat houses, and conference centers across the country.

Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: AUGSBURG BOOKS (September 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806651288
• ISBN-13: 978-0806651286
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #381,767 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gem of a Book!, January 9, 2007

By 

Linda Buchs-Hammonds (Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Seven Spiritual Gifts of Waiting: Patience, Loss of Control, Living in the Present, Compassion, Gratitude, Humility, Trust in God (Paperback)

A gem of a book! I now 'wait' with more humility and grace. These seven gifts have come to my mind regularly since reading this book. Not many moments pass in a day without experiencing one of these gifts as I wait. This book is an easy read filled with wise information. I have used the guidelines in the back for leading a group on this book and found it to be very complete. As a therapist, I have already passed this wisdom on to others. Get this book for you....and for others as a gift!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seven Spiritual Gifts of Waiting, October 22, 2007

By 

J. Devitt - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Seven Spiritual Gifts of Waiting: Patience, Loss of Control, Living in the Present, Compassion, Gratitude, Humility, Trust in God (Paperback)

Outstanding book. My 15-year old daughter was in the hospital for 8 weeks. I told a close friend that the hardest part was the waiting...not being able to do much to help her directly. My friend sent this book to me and it was a God-send. One of the reviews mentioned that this book should be edited to be more sophisticated. However, I found the informal, conversational style comforting...it felt as though a friend was talking to me. Great book to send to anyone who is a "doer" and isn't used to sitting still to wait.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Can be much improved with the employment of a good editor, August 21, 2007

By 

ServantofGod - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seven Spiritual Gifts of Waiting: Patience, Loss of Control, Living in the Present, Compassion, Gratitude, Humility, Trust in God (Paperback)

I do appreciate the author's good intent of writing on the spiritual meanings or purposes of waiting. However, I am obliged to say that this book could be much improved with the employment of a good editor who could advise on her wording and writing. IMHO, the phrase "loss of control", which the author counted as one of the seven spiritual gifts, can be replaced by more appropriate phrase. In short, okay for common believers, but better for church leaders who can benefit more from the last two chapters on "How to use this book with a group" and the detailed plan for a daily "Retreat: Spirituality of waiting".