Finding freedom (by Joyce Huggett)

(Amazon UK link)

I had very much appreciated the books I had previously read by Joyce Huggett, and I reread them from time to time. So when I saw another of her books, ‘Finding freedom’, on the shelves of friends who were giving away books, it was an easy decision to acquire it. Joyce Huggett and her husband lived in Cyprus for six years while we were here, but I don’t think I ever met her.

The subtitle of this book is, ‘becoming the person God made me to be’, and each chapter focuses on an aspect of freedom - from false expectations, from sin, from past experiences, and more. As with the author’s other works, this book is biblically sound, with plenty of scripture references. The writing is good, and well organised too. 

But I have to admit, I found it a bit heavy-going in places, and mostly not really relevant to me. Not that I disagreed with anything as such. But perhaps it’s intended for rather younger people, or those new to faith. The first chapter, for instance, simply covers the essence of the gospel - of the freedom we find when making a commitment to trust and follow Jesus. The author gives a few examples of people who experience release from past sins, and from feelings of guilt, often far in excess of what was done wrong.

Listening to God (by Joyce Huggett)

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I very much liked the three books I had read by Joyce Huggett. She was a thoughtful Christian writer, and I knew something of her because she lived, for a while, in Cyprus, though I never met her. I didn’t expect any of her books to be currently in print, but put second-hand editions of one on my wishlist. I was very pleasantly surprised to be given a new edition of ‘Listening to God’ for Christmas. 

The byline on this book says that it’s the 30th anniversary edition of the ‘bestselling spiritual classic’. It’s been recommended by many writers on prayer and contemplation. The first edition was published in 1986, and it was something of a landmark at the time. In the notes at the end, on the anniversary edition, the author expresses great happiness that the boundaries between different strands of Christianity were much less obvious than they were in the 1980s. 

The purpose of the book is to encourage all Christians to spend more time in prayer, in particular in contemplative prayer. The idea of this sounds very positive to me; as an introvert, I need a lot of time on my own. Despite many decades of being a believer, and many prayers, I’m not good at sitting, and meditating, or contemplating. Partly this is because I don’t ‘see’ things with my eyes closed, partly, I suppose, because my mind is constantly active, wandering around all kinds of topics, ideas and thoughts.

Finding God in the fast lane (by Joyce Huggett)

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I like Joyce Huggett’s writing, and realised at the start of the year that it’s a long time since I read her books. I only have three, but liked them all when I first read them. I re-read ‘Listening to others’ in January, and decided at the start of July that it was time to try another one. I last read ‘Finding God in the fast lane’ in 2012, and hadn’t remembered what it was about, though the title certainly gives an overview.

As I started, I was reminded that this book makes a lot of reference to Brother Lawrence’s book ‘The practice of the presence of God’. Inspired by Joyce Huggett’s book I managed to acquire a copy of this series of ‘maxims’ by a 17th century monk, and read it in 2008. But I found it very heavy going and rather too obvious. So I was all the more impressed that Joyce Huggett managed to write about it in contemporary terms (albeit thirty years ago), and produce a thought-provoking, helpful commentary. 

The main theme is about being aware of God all through the day. The author assumes that we’re ultra-busy - she observes people waking early, exercising, getting children ready for school, working for eight hours, then making dinner and perhaps going out again, with barely a moment to themselves. Hence the title including the ‘fast lane’. Since I am not out at work, and no longer have children at home, this phrase doesn’t apply to me at all. But still, much of the content resonated strongly. 

Having said that, I’ve always been aware that I could ‘chat’ with God any time, in any circumstances. I was doing this as a small child, and, at least in theory, never really stopped. But in practice, of course, I often go through my days with little reference to God; I might not be racing around, but I’m still doing many things in the house, and often daydreaming or worrying about something, when I could be offering everything to God. 

The author is very honest about her own life, the ways she falls short. And she quotes Brother Lawrence many times; he worked in a monastery kitchen, and believed himself to be a terrible sinner, albeit saved by Jesus and sustained by his faith. Some of his quotations sound a bit over-exaggerated; it’s hard to believe that someone in an enclosed monastery could possibly commit terrible sins. 

I expect he got irritated sometimes with other monks, or by his restricted life, or bored with chopping vegetables. But since he apparently chatted to God the whole time, and kept going with his chores, it doesn’t seem to me particularly sinful to feel a tinge of boredom or annoyance.

However, modern life has its own ways of intruding; it’s all too easy to get bogged down in social media, or low-key gossipping, or worrying rather than trusting God. It’s a lifelong journey to rest in his arms, no matter what, and I need every reminder I get. 

‘Finding God in the fast lane’ is subtitled ‘and also in life’s lay-bys’ (with a punctuation error on the front cover, but it’s hard to read as it’s black text on a dark image). I found the idea of lay-bys in life quite a useful one: of taking a few moments out of the day, whether hectic or relaxed, to concentrate on God. Not just a set ‘quiet time’, but a couple of minutes now and again. Joyce Huggett recommends certain practices that might seem prescriptive, but for many, a regular reminder or set time each hour can be a useful way of getting started with a new habit. 

The book is very well written, with six chapters all loosely titled with journey/driving metaphors. I thought that was a good way of looking at it. I found it straightforward to read, while thought-provoking and challenging too. I also appreciated the references to living in Cyprus, and to needing time alone as I'm another introvert who lives in Cyprus. 

There are questions at the end of each chapter for extra self-reflection. 

This book is intended for Christian believers, whether or not affiliated with a church. Definitely recommended. It's no longer in print, but often available inexpensively second-hand online. 

Review copyright 2025 Sue's Book Reviews

Listening to others (by Joyce Huggett)

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I was looking through our bookcase of Christian books, and could not remember ‘Listening to others’ by Joyce Huggett. That’s probably because I hadn’t read it since 2007. I’ve reread it in the past couple of weeks, and thought it a well-written, encouraging and interesting book. 

It says on the front (and once or twice in the text) that it’s a sort of companion or sequel to another of the author’s books, ‘Listening to God’. I don’t have that one; it’s out of print, so unless I see it inexpensively in a charity shop, I won’t be reading it. 

But ‘Listening to others’ stands alone. It’s partly auto-biographical, charting the author’s own development as she learns to listen to and pray for other people. She begins by describing the environment where she grew up; not a wealthy neighbourhood, but a street where everyone knew everyone else. When anyone was ill, or in need, the neighbours rallied round. They were mostly not Christian believers, but - as Joyce Huggett realised later - were following Christ’s commands, providing listening ears, practical help and compassion.

The anecdotes continue as the author experiences crises, and observes what helps, and what doesn’t help. She also describes a lovely couple who opened their home to students and others, who listened without judging, and provided meals and friendship without any expectation of return hospitality. She says that they provided the ideal which, later, she and her husband tried to emulate in their own home. 

Further chapters talk about the dangers of being isolated in what we used to call ‘holy huddles’, rather than present in everyday life, and about the need for a listening ear for so many people who are hurting, grieving, confused or depressed. There’s a lot of teaching and explanations but they’re given in the context of the author attending courses and learning, herself, about counselling, praying for people constructively, and what to say as well as when to keep quiet and say nothing.

The assumption is made that all Christians should be available to listen, to advise if asked, and to provide practical help where needed. But she also acknowledges that some are called into this ministry, while most are not; yet we all have friends and acquaintances who go through difficult periods, and who may need a friend to be alongside them. 

I thought the advice given was sound, with reminders that some situations require professional help. She encourages cooperation between untrained listeners and those who have psychiatric or other qualifications. A good friend can help as much as some professionals, possibly more; yet there are some circumstances and situations where medication or psychiatric help may be needed. She urges her readers to listen not just to the person they are helping but to God, and also to be aware of signs that extra assistance may be needed. 

The writing is good, with a nice balance of personal reminiscences and anecdotes with Scriptural teaching, and psychological/counselling methods and techniques. It’s in an easy style, and I had no problem reading twenty pages or so each day - around a chapter at a time. I don’t know that I learned anything new; this kind of advice is quite widespread now, although it was less readily available fifty years ago when this book was first published. But it’s well presented, and very readable.

So for anyone interested in low-key Christian counselling, or with friends who need someone to listen, I would definitely recommend this book. 

Review copyright 2025 Sue's Book Reviews

Conflict (by Joyce Huggett)

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The writer Joyce Huggett is a Christian who used to live in Cyprus. I've enjoyed a couple of her books; she has a relaxed writing style and makes a lot of sense. I am not entirely sure how this one arrived on our shelves. Possibly it was given to us by someone who was moving.

I know I read 'Conflict' many years ago, and found it both wise and helpful, but it was before I started reviewing books and I didn't remember anything about it. So I picked it up again recently, even though I'm not currently in a situation of conflict; perhaps that's the best time to read it!

Essentially this book is helpful for anyone wanting to understand what conflict is, from a Christian perspective. There are some thorough explorations of what causes conflict, including a whole chapter on anger in its various forms. There are also some helpful suggestions for resolution and moving forward.

The book begins with an overview of situations in the Bible where there was conflict, emphasising that it's not always wrong: that conflict WILL happen when people have opposing viewpoints or experiences, or perhaps when they're tired or hungry. What matters is how we react, and what we do with it. It can be used in a positive way, or it can be used destructively.

I slightly skimmed the first part of the book as none of it was new to me, but found the majority both interesting and readable. There are plenty of anecdotes and personal experiences scattered throughout the more direct teaching, and I found myself relating to a lot of them.

Some might, perhaps, find her suggestions - in the latter part of the book - too prescriptive. When tempers are raised most people aren't going to sit down with paper and pencil and work through their deepest emotions together, or even think logically about the root causes of the conflict. But there are, nonetheless, some useful ideas which are relevant to those without faith as much as those who are believers.

Recommended. No longer in print, but there seem to be updated versions of this which are sometimes available.

Review copyright 2014 Sue's Book Reviews

Finding God in the Fast Lane (by Joyce Huggett)

(Amazon UK link)

I only have a handful of books by Joyce Huggett, a retired missionary who used to live in Cyprus. I don't read them very often, but when I do I find them thought-provoking and usually very encouraging.

It's six years since I first read 'Finding God in the Fast Lane', a book of reflections and thoughts based primarily on Brother Lawrence's classic book 'The Practice of the Presence of God' as well as some of his other writings. I had enjoyed it first time around, and found it quite inspiring, so I thought that - in the absence of any new Christian reading matter - I would try it again.

The premise of the book is that most people are rushing through life, fixing problems, serving other people, working, commuting, socialising, and so on... and find it very difficult to fit 'quiet times' into their schedules. This doesn't really apply to me; with my empty nest, and plenty of time to myself, I'm not one to rush about.

I do usually manage at least half an hour first thing in the morning to be quiet, and reflect and read, and even sometimes to pray. And yet, even so, it's all too easy to get to the end of the day and realise that I've barely thought about God.

Re-reading, in the past few days, I was surprised at how inspiring and thought-provoking I found it. Particularly since I did read Brother Lawrence's classic a few years ago, but didn't find it all that helpful.  However, Joyce Huggett makes some useful and practical suggestions for cultivating awareness of God's presence through the day, seeking a deeper relationship and offering all we are and do as worship to Him. I'm sure it will take a lifetime to reach the kind of level of commitment and awareness that she describes.

It's not a long book, but there's a great deal in it. Definitely recommended to Christians who care about their relationship with God and would like to see it closer and deeper. Long out of print, but usually inexpensive if you can find it second-hand.

Review copyright Sue's Book Reviews, 22nd May 2012

Listening to Others (by Joyce Huggett)

(Amazon UK link)

The writer Joyce Huggett grew up in a close-knit working-class community. She believes that she found her roots of caring in the generous - if sometimes brusque - hearts of those around her when she was a child.

Mostly autobiographical, 'Listening to Others' charts the author's gradual introduction to healing and wholeness ministries.  It also discusses the importance of listening - really listening - to other people.

Throughout the book she gives useful guidelines and practical advice, in an interesting and well-written format. There are many anecdotes as she charts her journey into the listening ministry. She explains clearly how she learned what she did - and also the mistakes that were sometimes made along the way. Personal tragedies are described, and the way that even one's pain can be used to help others.

It's a Christian book, intended for those who follow Jesus, but without any overt evangelistic message. Most of the caring people Joyce grew up with knew little about God, and many of the ideas she suggests would be of relevance to anybody.

Definitely recommended.

Finding God in the Fast Lane (by Joyce Huggett)

(Amazon UK link)

Joyce Hugget is a thoughtful and reflective Christian writer. In this book, 'Finding God in the Fast Lane', she uses common sense and intelligence to show how to spend more time in prayer, even amongst ultra-busy lives.

This book is partly based on the classic 'Practising the Presence of God' by Brother Lawrence. It looks at ways we can spend time with God creatively, with suggestions for focussing on him at various points through the day as well as taking time out to pray and meditate.

There is some excellent advice; overall I thought it an encouraging book.

Probably only really relevant for Christians, however.

(You can also read my slightly longer review of 'Finding God in the Fast Lane' written after I re-read it six years later)