Next to Godliness

Alice Peck is an innovative editor and writer. She serves as a consultant to many published authors and produced screenwriters. She spent years writing, developing and acquiring material for broadcast and cable television as well as feature films before devoting herself to writing and editing books.

"Thoughtful, surprising ... aims to inspire us to think differently about how we keep our domestic space. The importance of loving family, self and something transcendent ties these writings together. It's hard to resist."—Washington Post“A timeless theme ... a cultural landmark exploring our changing attitudes about home."—Detroit Free Press“Lovely.... Articulates what many women know but hesitate to admit: housekeeping has a unique spiritual quality, if only we will tap into it. Simply read and enjoy whenever you need to find the sacred in housekeeping once again."—Marcia Ford, author of Finding Hope: Cultivating God's Gift of a Hopeful Spirit “Finds meaning in the ever-present reality of housekeeping.... It is at once lovely, inspiring and thoughtful.”—Karyn D. Kedar, author of The Bridge to Forgiveness: Stories and Prayers for Finding God and Restoring Wholeness“Slowly shakes loose our need to constantly distinguish small from large, mundane from sacred, interior from exterior…. Uncommonly joyful in the way it affirms the simplicity we sense directly in spiritual life, while at the same time including the mysteries and intensities of the immeasurable dwelling place.”—Bonnie Myotai Treace, Hermitage Heart Zen“An eclectic and ecumenical treasury of writings—ancient and modern, poetry and prose, secular and sacred…. Dissolves the boundaries between drudgery and dharma, celebrating the opportunities for transcendence that can be found in the everyday. Feng Shui for the heart, mind and soul.”—Arthur Goldwag, author of The Beliefnet Guide to Kabbalah“Rich ... will amuse and edify, prompting readers to reflect on the ways that the most mundane requirements of life are inseparably bound up with the transcendent.”—Books & Culture: A Christian Review “Bring[s] light into an often mundane subject.”—Catholic News Service“Delightful.... Will transform the way you look at that load of laundry or broom in the corner. It may even inspire you to find sanctuary in that sink full of dirty dishes.”—Presbyterians Today “Inspires us to see [household chores] as prayer and a doorway through which Love can enter and dwell in our homes.... Helps us see ways to begin cleaning the interior stains and grime out of our hearts and minds.”—Quaker Life “Brings beautiful order and a sense of peace to the tasks of keeping house.... A treasure.... If [we are] to pray always, as St. Paul urges, [this book] makes it seem more possible.”—St. Anthony Messenger

• IntroductionPart One: Washing the DishesPart Two: LaundryPart Three: SweepingPart Four: The Natural Order of ThingsPart Five: HouseworkPart Six: Making HomePart Seven: WorkspacePart Eight: Guests and HolidaysPart Nine: Big MessesAcknowledgmentsCreditsAbout The Contributors