ANN RENNIE, GARRATT PUBLISHING, ISBN 9781922484802
This excellent diary, with a page devoted to each day of the year, offers brief prayers, reflections or questions. The reflections are loosely tied to the Church seasons and to other celebrations such as Mother’s Day and Australia Day.
The reflections for each day have the great merit of brevity. They stimulate thought without directing it closely, allowing the Spirit space to move. They are also varied, displaying the breadth of Rennie’s reading and her life as a teacher. Most readers will be delighted to find their favourite writers represented, and indeed some may unexpectedly have the satisfaction of finding themselves among the pages. St Augustine, Pope Francis and Joan Chittister offer their wisdom and, among the poets, Emily Dickenson, Mary Oliver and John Kelly grace the book. The prayers throughout the book are well written and speak directly to the heart.
Understandably in such a large project, and commendably, Rennie herself contributes many reflections that are always brief and encourage the reader to respond. Her short suggestions and questions accompanying the reflections every third day or so are helpful.
Many of the contributions encourage the reader to slow down and let God in. This book allows the reader to do this, while in its modesty leaving God free to enter our hearts without having to compete with too many words. It recognises that each day is sacred and that we need only a little encouragement to find it so.