The Ministry of Ordinary Places by Shannan Martin: five stars!

A dear friend gifted me The Ministry of Ordinary Places by Shannan Martin, and it’s absolutely delightful. Reading it feels like you’re sitting down with Shannan with cocoa and talking about life. What is important? What have we learned? How can we do better? How can we laugh at ourselves? It’s full of wisdom, sweetness, thoughtfulness, encouragement, humor, and insight. Strongly recommend!

Overview of The Ministry of Ordinary Places by Shannan Martin

In The Ministry of Ordinary Places, writer Shannan Martin invites readers to discover purpose in everyday life by paying attention to the people nearby. She shares her own experiences of planting roots in her neighborhood and learning to love and be loved in simple, consistent ways. Through honest stories and gentle humor, Shannan shows that a meaningful life isn’t found in grand achievements but in small acts of presence and care. Following Jesus’ example of walking with ordinary people, she encourages us to commit to our communities for the long haul, even when life feels messy or uncertain. This quiet, steady practice can feel both challenging and life-giving, but it becomes a rich and lasting adventure.

What I especially like about The Ministry of Ordinary Places by Shannan Martin

I liked so many things about the book, but here are a few things it’s prompted me to think about.

The idea of hospitality

The Ministry of Ordinary Places by Shannan Martin has insightful tips about hospitality peppered throughout. She encourages us to let go of perfection. Don’t worry about extensive cleaning and planning. If we wait until the house is perfect and the menu is perfect, then hospitality rarely happens. It can be simple. What matters most is that your guests feel seen, accepted, included, heard, renewed, and encouraged. It’s all about connection.

The idea of loneliness

Shannan also shares a lot about how much we all need each other. That proximity can be the greatest link between humans. We don’t need similar backgrounds or beliefs. Just reach out to people nearby because we all need connection. We can build community wherever we are through simple acts of kindness. Gifts of time and presence. Friendship can spring up in unexpected places and be all the richer for our differences.

The idea of mothering

Shannan mentions in the book that society is crying out to be nurtured. We all need someone to love us, encourage us, and care for us in tangible ways. Support us, protect us, and guide us. Moreover, we can all be a mother to someone even if we don’t have kids. Be warned, though, because mothering is difficult. Strenuous. Heart-wrenching. Shannan emphasizes that ALL of God’s children need safety, shelter, nutrition, kindness, and respect. And we are each uniquely positioned in our own corners of the world to mother those around us. Advocate. Volunteer.

She suggests that we take whatever it is we’re good at to the life of a child nearby. Make a difference for that child. I have always thought that it’s important for children to have an adult outside their family who pours into them. I think that’s what Shannan is talking about. Look for children nearby and be willing to give them whatever you have to offer. We’ll all be blessed by it.

These ideas all weave together beautifully.

I can see an expanding circle of goodness: seeing the loneliness and need around us, responding to those needs in simple ways in an offer of friendship and support, and opening our homes for regular conversations with our neighbors. This fosters community. Mutual encouragement. Helping each other. It doesn’t have to be fancy; it just needs to be real.

A little about author Shannan Martin

Shannan Martin is the author of Start with Hello, The Ministry of Ordinary Places, and Falling Free. A writer and speaker, she first discovered her voice in rural life but found her story in the city. She now serves as a cook at The Window, a nonprofit that provides meals to the community, and lives with her family in Goshen, Indiana, where they embrace being thankful neighbors.

I feel especially close to her because she’s actually a friend of a friend of mine. Yes, the same friend who gifted me the book! I’ve also read Falling Free, although it’s been a while. She shares from her heart in that one too. 🙂 I would love to be her friend!

I encourage you to check out The Ministry of Ordinary Places by Shannan Martin!

Now I can’t wait to try Start with Hello! I’m sure it will be every bit as fun, engaging, encouraging, and humorous as her other books. Please let me know in the comments if you’ve read any of her work. Or maybe you have thoughts to share on connection or community.

Questions to ponder:

• To whom in your sphere of influence could you offer encouragement or friendship?
• What small step can you take to help you notice the needs around you?
• How can you make yourself available?
• What hobby or interest do you have that you could share with someone else?
• What could you do to make a difference at a school or library nearby? Other places?

Other nonfiction posts:

• 4 best devotional books: grounded and growing
• How to Know a Person by David Brooks: five stars!
• The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown: five stars!
• blessings from brokenness: insights from Draw Near by Hadassah Treu

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Fondly,

Crysti