When Fragments Make a Whole

Quick Look

• Explores how the accounts of Jesus' work on earth can offer comfort during difficult times
• Each engaging chapter includes a poem, a short commentary on the Bible story that inspired it, an autobiographical piece and a contemplative phrase
• A thought-provoking and personal book from Lory Widmer Hess, a writer, editor and longtime student of anthroposophy

A candid and courageous book sharing a personal journey to wellbeing, revealing how the healing stories in the gospels can be a source of strength. The reflective poems, commentary, and autobiography will inspire readers on journeys of spiritual growth.

Description

In this candid and courageous book, Lory Widmer Hess describes her experience of inner transformation through her exploration of the healing stories in the gospels. In a unique blend of poetry, commentary and autobiography, she describes how she engaged with and drew inspiration from these stories. Her approach will inspire readers on their own journey of spiritual growth.

During a difficult time in her life, Lory turned to the accounts of Jesus' work on earth for comfort and inspiration. She wrote poems about the lives of the people who had been touched by Christ and, over several years, added personal reflections that explored the difficulties she was facing in her marriage, the challenges of raising a family, and setbacks in her career. Gradually she learned forgiveness and self-acceptance.

This powerful book shows how we can connect our experiences to the gospel stories in a creative way that allows us to draw strength from them. At the end of each chapter, the essential meaning of the story is distilled into a simple, contemplative phrase. Readers interested in Christian spirituality will turn to this unique and remarkable book again and again for inspiration and contemplation.

Reviews

'The book is inspiring at many levels: in the artistry of the poems and prose, in the depth of understanding brought to Biblical history and the healings themselves, and in the humble description of one person's journey toward healing[...] Lory Widmer Hess writes with a deep and painful self-honesty.'
-- Signe Eklund Schaefer, author of Why on Earth? and She Was Always There

'The world of self-help books and inspirational speakers is full of those who, having emerged from their dark night of the soul, are on a mission to fix the rest of us. This is not one of those books. Lory Widmer Hess clearly does not consider that her experiences have made her a better person, or happier, or able to help. She gives us something far more valuable: an account by a fellow traveller who has learned to be aware of, and grateful to, a greater, healing presence... It is deeply moving. The intensely personal becomes universal and embraces us all.'
-- Perspectives

'Lory takes us on an artistic, inspiring, and informative journey through the trials of her own story, and the healing she found in working artistically with the gospels. It is a treasure of a book in that it contains accessible explanations of deep spiritual knowledge out of anthroposophy, artistic and personal poetry that move the heart, and the testimony of a life lived by one who has earnestly taken up the path of discipleship.'
-- Rev. Anna Silber, Christian Community priest

'Honest and experiential books grounded in sacred text are rare. With When Fragments Make a Whole, Lory extends to her readers a precious key into the Gospels... It is a book for your own journey, but it is especially a book to catapult you into standing in and with the world-healing that is our task.'
-- Kathryn E. Booth, Co-Founder of the Alcyon Center

'It is a calm, honest, methodical book that will intrigue anyone interested in thinking through how the Bible is applicable to the challenges of daily life.'
-- Bookish Beck

'A thoughtful mix of memoir, art and exegesis... Lory’s poems bring liveliness and relatability to the stories and people in the Bible.'
-- Falling Letters

Author

Lory Widmer Hess grew up near Seattle, Washington, USA. Encountering anthroposophy at the age of 26 set her on a long journey of exploration and discovery that included studies at Sunbridge College, Eurythmy Spring Valley, and the Seminary of The Christian Community in North America. Lory has been a book editor for the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America and has worked for a number of anthroposophical organisations, most recently in communities serving adults with developmental disabilities. In 2024 she completed a spiritual direction program. She currently lives with her family in Switzerland. Visit her website and blog at enterenchanted.com.