In the Midst of Chaos: Caring for Children as Spiritual Practice

Praise for In the Midst of Chaos "Parents fear that because they can′t find the time and silence needed for prayer in the whirlwind of caring for children, faith must be put on hold. In the Midst of Chaos challenges this assumption. Through personal stories, biblical text, and the ideas of religious thinkers and child psychologists, this book offers a fresh perspective on faith that reclaims routine practices of family as deeply spiritual." —Michele Borba, author, 12 Simple Secrets Real Moms Know "The seriousness with which Miller–McLemore takes up the exhausting topic of postmodern parenting is not only refreshing; it illuminates as much as it surprises." —Serene Jones, Titus Street Professor of Theology, Yale University Divinity School "What does it mean to ′sanctify the ordinary,′ to ′redeem the waking, walking, buzzing routine itself′? With wonderful honesty and a wisdom born of informed theological reflection, sound cultural critique, and the lived experience of parenting three boys, Bonnie J. Miller–Mclemore helps us to ponder and to clarify the deep questions that stir in those of us who raise families, hold down jobs, and want our faith to mean something in the real world." —Wendy M. Wright, professor of theology, Creighton University; author, Seasons of a Family′s Life , a book in the Families and Faith series "The flip of chaos and flop of quiescence are rejected in favor of finding God′s presence in the living complexity of every day. This deeply pondered and theologically literate book will not let you go without a blessing because the print will not stay on the pages. It is as good and true as it is beautiful." —Jerome W. Berryman, executive director, Center for the Theology of Childhood "This absorbing book transforms the chaos of parenting into an arena for spiritual practice in which parents discover the ′clearest truths about our deepest values.′" —Herbert Anderson, visiting professor of pastoral theology, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary; coauthor, Mighty Stories, Dangerous Rituals

Editor’s Foreword. Preface. Chapter 1: Contemplating in Chaos. Chapter 2: Sanctifying the Ordinary. Chapter 3: Pondering All These Things. Chapter 4: Taking Kids Seriously. Chapter 5: Giving unto Others . . . But What About Myself? Chapter 6: Doing Justice and Walking Humbly with Kids. Chapter 7: Playing the Field: Xbox, Soccer, and Other Fun Family Games. Chapter 8: Take, Read: From Seuss to Scripture. Chapter 9: Blessing and Letting Go. References. The Author. Index.

Bonnie J. Miller–McLemore is the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of Pastoral Theology at Vanderbilt University Divinity School, author of a previous book on children from Jossey–Bass ( Let the Children Come , 2003), and a respected scholar in theology.