Marlo Schalesky - Wrestling With Wonder: A Transformational Journey through the Life of Mary

Praise for
Wrestling with Wonder

Marlo Schaleskys Wrestling With Wonder is one of the most important books Ive read recently. Not one to tiptoe around lifes thornier paths, she meets pain and trials head-on, within the context of Marys life, according to sound biblical teaching. Insights and encouragement abound as Marlo delivers new perspectives on old old stories, making them relevant to our lives today. This is a major contribution to the literature on the human condition, worthy of a place next to C. S. Lewiss The Problem of Pain.

Dr. Rebecca Price Janney, theologically trained historian and author of 18 books, including Great Women in American History and Then Comes Marriage? A Cultural History of the American Family

This raw and achingly honest account speaks deeply to the doubts, fears, and discontent that keep so many believers from experiencing the true wonder of Gods desire for us. Never is it promised that there will not be a cross where we will weep, where our hearts will be pierced, where we will hold death in our arms and not know the resurrection is coming. Yet in being chosen, like Mary, we have an all-encompassing solace, hope, and joy on this journey toward eternal life in the presence of Christs glory.

Kristen Heitzmann, bestselling author of Christy Award-winning novels The Breath of Dawn and Secrets and finalists Indivisible and The Tender Vine

I started underlining as I read, then realized I was underlining practically every sentence on the page. So real. So raw. So identifiable. I found myself in the midst of Marlos words so many times, and I ached as she shared not only her own journey, but Marys wrestle with Wonder with such painful poignancy. Forever changed by this journey, I find my soul ultimately, blessedly soothed and drawn ever closer to the perplexing, amazing, and beautiful Christ.

Tamera Alexander,USA Today bestselling author of To Whisper Her Name and A Beauty So Rare

Out of all the voice of truth and heart-wisdom out there, one author who I turn to time and again is Marlo Schalesky. Wrestling with Wonder guides our questions of what if God doesnt love me toward an understanding of who God is in all His goodness and love even in the face of lifes hardships. My heart is full as I discovered within these pages who I am in Gods eyes highly favored, just like Mary. This is a book full of heart-transforming truths. Highly recommended!

Tricia Goyer,USA Today bestselling author of forty books, including The One Year Book of Amish Peace

Wrestling with Wonder. In a sense, its something every Christian must do in order to know God in all His mysterious beauty. Exquisitely written, this book takes us by the hand and leads us to Bethlehem. To a place where Jesus can be birthed afresh and anew in each one of us.

Joanna Weaver, author of Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World

ZONDERVAN

Wrestling with Wonder

Copyright 2014 by Marlo Schalesky

ePub Edition August 2014: ISBN 978-0-310-33741-6

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Schalesky, Marlo M., 1967

Wrestling with wonder : a transformational journey through the life of Mary / Marlo Schalesky. 1st [edition].

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 978-0-310-33740-9 (softcover)

1. Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint Meditations. 2. Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint Biography. I. Title.

BT608.5.S33 2014

232.91 dc23

2014011393

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Other Bible versions quoted in this book are listed on page 12, which hereby becomes a part of this copyright page.

Any Internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Cover design: Tobias Outerwear for Books

Cover photography: Arcangel Images Inc

Interiorphotography: iStockphoto

Interior design: Beth Shagene

First Printing August 2014

To Jordyn,
who fills my life with wonder and unexpected joy

Contents

10. God, Have You Lost Your Mind?
Jesus Family Takes Charge

11. When Nightmares Come True:
Jesus Arrest, Beating, and Sentence

T here are always so many people that give of their time and hearts to make a book come to life. Here are just a few who helped make Wrestling with Wonder a reality, and a joy for me to write:

Thanks to Bryan Schalesky, my wonderful husband, first reader, and partner on the journey. You are, as always, Gods special gift to me. Thank you for making this book possible. I appreciate how youve walked with me every step of the way.

Thanks to my kids, for letting me share your parts of my story, so that God may be revealed even in the hardest parts of life.

Thanks to my pastor, Mark Simmons, for access to your vast and extremely helpful library of books and commentaries. I couldnt have done it without your generous lending!

Thanks to my editors Lori, Sandy, Laura, and Jim for your helpful suggestions, insights, and encouragement. I so appreciate you all!

And thanks to the fine folks at Zondervan for catching the vision, believing in me, and taking a chance to make this book a reality. I thank God for you.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible. Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked RSV are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission.

I am Esau. Unloved. Unchosen.

I am Cain. Rejected. Cast away.

I hear the words, unspoken, slithering through my soul. Esau, the older twin, favored by his father but unfavored by God. The one who would not receive the promise that had come through Abraham, his grandfather, and Isaac, his father. Jacob I loved, said God, but Esau I hated. Am I Esau?

Cain, who brought an offering to the God he worshiped only to have it rejected. Cain, confused, hurt, and angry because God said no. So jealous he killed his brother. Am I Cain? An outcast?

My palms press into the cold tile of the laundry room floor. Harsh, unyielding, the sound of my pain is lost in the steady thumping of the dryer, the slosh of cleansing clothes, and the wicked whisper of words that, for the moment, I believe.