Book Review: Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren

Every so often I come across a book that stays with me. The nuggets I find in them I think about for days and weeks after I finish the book. Tish Harrison Warren has written such a book, “Liturgy of the Ordinary.” I can’t recommend this book enough.

Warren takes an ordinary day and breaks it down into our daily routine. As with our day the book begins with waking, followed by making our bed, brushing our teeth, etc. She takes these ordinary human routines and relates them to spiritual practices. She shows us how in the ordinary moments in our day how we can meet with God and grow in our holiness.

The chapter that had the most impact on me is when she discussed eating leftovers for lunch. While we may not remember the warmed over food we had for lunch it did sustain us until our next meal. It is important even if it’s unmemorable. She relates it to our worship services, our Bible reading, and prayers that we may not “get anything from” yet, like leftovers, help sustain us spiritually.

Warren writes from experience. She doesn’t come across as “holier than thou”. She has the same struggles we all do and wants to encounter God every moment of her day. As you read you will be moved, laugh, and most importantly, desire to see God in the ordinary.