The Wonder Years: 40 Women Over 40 On Aging, Faith, Beauty, and Strength

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How do we make the second half of our lives the best half?

Forty incredible women of faith from 40 to 85 tackle aging anxieties head-on—and upend them with compelling first-person stories full of humor, sass, and spiritual wisdom. In three thematic sections—Firsts, Lasts, and Always— these women provide much-needed role models for aging honestly, beautifully, and faithfully, with surprises all along the way. These are indeed the Wonder Years!

"From striving to thriving, this book encourages a woman to grasp with wonder her mid-to-late life! The stories told here reminded me of how much we, as women, have in common with one another; and how much God's purpose and love propel us with hope and triumph into our sunset! I laughed, I cried, I rejoiced! A recommended read for women of all ages. You won't be disappointed." — Kelly Greer

"Women have plenty to say, and these mellowed voices of women with a few years behind them and many years ahead of them speak into so many areas of my life." — Ingrid Lochamire

"I love that these are short, true stories. Fiction just does not capture me like reading and learning from the wisdom of 40 talented writers. I found myself reading passages aloud to those around me because the writing was so rich." — Erin Reagan

"No matter where you find yourself, whether midlife is still to come or long gone, 'The Wonder Years' is a beautiful collage of the many ways God works in the lives of women." — AMG

"I've had so many conversations with friends about the need for this book. We need more frank books on what it means to age well, with grace and humor." — Ashley Hales

"I am the pastor of a small congregation, most of whom are over age 50. I’ve been dismayed by the lack of substantive reading for the women in my congregation. This book addresses that need beautifully. The authors of the essays are largely familiar to my people and are well-known for their spiritual wisdom. The essays are not stale, however, and are full of fresh insight, humor and grace. Thank you, Leslie, for an excellent compilation." — ALM Stewart

 

Discussion / Study Guide:

The Wonder Years, Short Story Contributors

  1. Elisabeth Elliot on Sacrifice and Offering

  2. Jennifer Dukes Lee on Drinking in God’s Love

  3. Jennifer Grant on Diving In

  4. Jen Pollock Michel on Facing the End

  5. Joni Eareckson Tada on Pain and Provisio

  6. Kay Warren on Joy and Holy Fun

  7. Kendra Smiley on the Freedom of Fun

  8. Lauren Winner on Living with Intention

  9. Elisa Morgan on Dogs and Belongin

  10. Luci Shaw on Embracing Adventure

  11. Lynne Hybels on the Necessity of Pleasure

  12. Madeleine L'Engle on Honoring Touch

  13. Patricia Raybon on Answering the Phone

  14. Paula Huston on Living Outdoors

  15. Shannon Ethridge on the Miracles in Mistakes

  16. Sheila Wise Rowe on Following God's Lead

  17. Vina Mogg on the Beauty of Mess

  18. Jennifer Dukes Lee

  19. Brené Brown

  20. Michelle Novak

  21. Jill Kande

  22. Laura Lynn Brown

  23. Lauren Winner

  24. Luci Shaw

  25. Amy R. Buckley

  26. Charity Singleton Craig

  27. Heather MacLaren Johnson

  28. Elisa Morgan

  29. Sheila Wise Rowe

  30. Amy K. Sorrells

  31. Leslie Leyland Fields

  32. Shelly Wildma

  33. Julie Owens

  34. Jeanne Murray Walker

  35. Shannon Ethridge

  36. Amy F. Davis Abdallah

  37. Andrea Stephens

  38. Michelle Van Loon

  39. Luci Swindoll

  40. Margot Starbuck

  41. Nancy Stafford

  42. Jennifer Grant

  43. Suanne Camfield

  44. Win Couchman

  45. Lynne Hybels

  46. Joni Eareckson Tada

  47. Jen Pollock Michel

  48. Elisabeth Elliot

  49. Vina Mogg

  50. Kay Warren

  51. Kendra Smiley

  52. Paula Huston

  53. Martha Levitt

  54. Madeleine L’Engle

  55. Gina Ochsner

  56. Jill Kandel