Awake by Anjuli Paschall

Paschall writes about having that feeling, that itch, that persistent thought she was missing something. What if she wasn't living life to its fullest? What if she wasn't living her life well? What was that something more she was missing?

She asked herself, what if that itch was a message from God and that the “something more” was God Himself. “God is on a mission,” she writes, “to move us into a life of abiding.” (15) This book contains many stories and reflections as Paschall explores vulnerability and transparency, telling your story and letting other people in, embracing God's love for you, being real, death, thin spaces, fragility, Covid and the rhythm of life, conflict, peace, idols and more.

Paschall has a way of writing that draws the reader in, sharing the experience, and learning the lessons. Like other readers, I am sure, I identified with many of her experiences and reactions to them. I like her raw honesty. I appreciate her insights and wisdom. Paschall suggests her book is like a dinner bell, calling us to wake up to our relationship with God, recognizing our being with Christ no matter the circumstances.

Living life to the fullest isn't something we do, Paschall says. Rather, it is the “beautiful, wild, risky adventure to stay awake to the loving presence of Jesus on the inside.” (232) This is a book to savor and reflect upon. There are good discussion questions at the end for that very purpose. This is a good book for readers who like spiritual lessons gleaned from personal experience.

You can read an excerpt here.

You can read my review of her first book, Stay.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Anjuli Paschall (www.anjulipaschall.com) is the author of Stay (Bethany House, 2020). She grew up encircled by an orange grove in San Diego. After graduating from Point Loma Nazarene University, she earned her master's degree in spiritual formation and soul care from Talbot Seminary. She currently lives in Southern California with her husband, Sam, and five children. She is the founder of The Moms We Love Club and writes regularly for (in)courage. You can find her every day on Instagram at @lovealways.anjuli. Photo Credit: © Jacob Andrew Bell

Bethany House Publishers, 256 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)