It is OK to be honest about what we really think and feel. Especially, to be honest with ourselves, and with God.

The Book of Psalms in the First Testament is about faith and hope; but it is also about pain, lament, praise, wonder and deep questions about God’s faithfulness and the purposes of our lives.

The same themes are reflected in Janet Dawson’s series of psalms, written over many years, helping us to be honest in our journey with the mystery we call God; and addressed to her fellow believers, non-believers, fringe believers – in fact all who struggle with the challenges of faith in our time.

Above all, they are the writings of someone for whom the journey of faith combines challenge and comfort, exploring new ways of interpreting our traditions and fresh ideas of how to keep the tradition alive.

Janet Dawson is a retired Minister of the Uniting Church in Australia. Born in England and educated in New Zealand, she travelled extensively before settling in Australia in 1983 with her husband George. They have two daughters and five grandchildren. Janet was ordained in 1991. She ministered in several congregations in NSW and has served in various other ministries within the NSW Synod and the General Assembly of the Uniting Church.