When the Heart Waits: Spiritual Direction for Life's Sacred Questions (Plus) [Paperback]

Sue Monk Kidd (Author)

Book Description

Release date: October 31, 2006 | Series: Plus

From the Bestselling Author of The Secret Life of Bees, an Inspiring Autobiographical Account of Personal Pain, Spiritual Awakening, and Divine Grace

Blending her own experiences with an intimate grasp of spirituality, Sue Monk Kidd relates the passionate and moving tale of her spiritual crisis, when life seemed to have lost meaning and her longing for a hasty escape from the pain yielded to a discipline of "active waiting." This PLUS edition includes a reader's guide.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A joy to read….Honest and healing.” (--Alan Jones, dean of Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, and author of Soul Making)

As I read her book, Kidd became a companion. I love having her walk with me on my journey. (--Eugene Peterson, author of The Message)

From the Publisher

Combining personal experience and classic Christian teachings, this inspirational autobiographical account of a woman's personal pain, spiritual awakening, and divine grace received Virtue magazine's "Book of the Year" award. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; 1ST edition (October 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061144894
• ISBN-13: 978-0061144899
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.6 x 7.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,249 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Worship & Devotion > Devotionals
  • #88 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Occult

More About the Author

Sue Monk Kidd's first novel, The Secret Life of Bees, spent more than one hundred weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, has sold nearly six million copies, and was chosen as the 2004 BookSense Paperback Book of the Year and Good Morning America's "Read This!" Book Club pick. It was adapted into an award-winning movie in 2008. Her second novel, The Mermaid Chair, a #1 New York Times bestseller, won the 2005 Quill Book Award for Best General Fiction and was adapted into a television movie. Her novels have been published in more than thirty countries. She is also the author of several acclaimed memoirs and the recipient of many awards, including a Poets & Writers Award. She lives near Charleston, South Carolina.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

181 of 192 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Stop Poking My Cocoon! June 28, 2001

By Funny Girl

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I may be writing this review a little prematurely, as I am only halfway through this book, however...I have already purchased additional copies for my friends. I have underlined, dog-earred and referred to various pages on several occassions. When the Heart Waits gives valuable insight into mid-life. It shares information as to the benefits gained in "being still". Waiting is not "doing nothing". It is both "passive and passionate". As many of us struggle with "what should I do next", often trying to make something happen. Sue Monk Kidd reminds us that everything is always taken care of, if we just stop pushing so hard. She talks about a caterpillar and her cocoon. If someone pokes a hole in the cocoon before it's time, the butterfly will emerge with un-developed wings, unable to fly. Take time with yourself and you WILL be able to fly!

93 of 97 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for any life shift/painful/scary development or 'dark night' - NOT true about being only 4 traditional Christians September 17, 2005

By Yasmin Mansoor

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Don't let the various reviews' comments about being for mid-life crises and/or traditional Christians only put you off as I & friends of very different ages & life stages & challenges all found this book incredibly helpful & powerful & so wonderfully soothing - the perfect balm for any wounding or challenges or scary developments that might occur in life. Although her writing does include some Christian references, I was very impressed by the depth of spirituality and understanding she brings to it i.e. part of what makes the book so special is her bringing much greater depth of understanding and authenticity to what it's all about. I am so glad that her exquisite writing style in "the secret life of bees" made me look for more books written by her as I found this book infinitely more powerful and even more of a joy to read in every way. Note that although I loved the writing style and hence journey that unfolded in the "... bees" novel so much that she's one of the few authors I went to look for more books by, I didn't think her tale-spinning abilities were quite as strong as some gifted story-tellers. So I personally think her writing strengths and power of insights and understanding are infinitely better conveyed in this book than in "... bees". However, I'm glad she is writing novels also as those can hopefully open up a greater audience for the incredible power and depth of all she can share with us. She is definitely somebody I'd want to hear more from and feel blessed to have discovered.

153 of 165 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Just What I Needed November 10, 2003

By Marion VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book was a balm for my wounded forty-something soul, I have to tell y'all. I felt as if I've been stuck in a vortex since my youngest child graduated from college, got married and flew the coop a few years ago. All my life I thought I was looking forward to the day when my two daughters were grown so I could be 'free'. I'd heard of empty nest, of course, and poo-pooed it thinking it happened to women who had no lives but their children's....NOT! I still feel slightly lost, wounded and confused, but much better after reading this book. And the loss of your children is, indeed, a wound. They're alive and kicking, but gone nonetheless....and there's an emptiness there that you're not quite sure how to fill. This book gives you permission (and encourages you) to just sit and wait out this life passage. Thanks, Ms. Kidd, for your wonderful, beautifully written book. I encourge all of my mid-life age friends to read it.

69 of 73 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books for women in midlife transition November 14, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

While this book is written from a Christian perspective, I recommend it to any woman I know who's struggling with any midlife crisis issue. Both intelligent and comforting, the book has no equal in this type of literature. While it never trivializes the subject of feeling lost or suddenly uprooted "in the middle of life's path", Kidd's book is amazingly down to earth and honest. It speaks to the heart. I loved the book so much, I keep checking back to see if the author has written more. Would love to see more of her work!

64 of 68 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Life Changing Book September 13, 2003

By Kara

Format:Paperback

I do not think one has to be a mid lifer to get the most out of this wonderful book! This book started me on my own personal spiritual journey, and I have not looked back. Sue Monk Kidd's honesty and her gift for stringing words together in a meaningful way moved me to buy the rest of her books. This one will always hold a special place in my heart however. I HIGHLY recommend this book and author.

67 of 73 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars OMG! What a Book February 11, 2004

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I thought SECRET LIFE OF BEES was good, this one outdoes it ten fold. I cried, I laughed...I learned. This memoir is full of painful and emotional depth...and so hard to put down. This book, as I stated before ranks up there with "BEES" as well as NIGHTMARES ECHO and BEAUTY FOR ASHES.
I am a Sue Monk Kidd fan from now on.

40 of 44 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars when the heart waits September 24, 2005

By Jasmine P. Skees

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is very good for alot of people who are wondering what to do with their lives and if their lives have meaning. Kidd wrote it as a 40-ish woman, but I am 70 and I found many insights that connected with me. I recommend it to anyone trying to figure out where they are and what life is for them.Jasmine S.

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A comforting friend for midlife upheaval of the soul. September 19, 1996

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Anyone who is beginning to awaken to the passage of time, in particular, one's own life, will find a kindred spirit among the pages of this book. It's a wonderful companion for quiet musings, meditation or prayer. Sue Monk Kidd's sensitive detail and vivid recounting of her own dilemma's make this book a must read for any woman encountering the huge questions of life. Why am I here? What is my purpose? Who am I after all the hats are off