My Book.
Too Much and Not Enough
I’ve always had questions about God. Big ones. Ones that no one wanted me to have. They still don’t. I’m dangerous. My questions are dangerous. A dangerous mother of four. A youth and college leader who has become a little too dangerous to lead. Not quite your gentle and quiet spirit type of woman. My mouth got me in trouble. My questions were too much.
I’m honestly hoping to find even more people who are on this journey with me. Others who need to know it’s ok to ask questions that may not even have answers. Other wanderers who are willing to dig deep and go to the hard places. Maybe we can walk this journey together? Learn from each other? And point each other to a God that is bigger and more loving than we could ever imagine. Check out my book, and let’s journey together.
“Life is a journey. I know I’ve written a whole lot about mine. Just a kid. Living in an adult body. Longing to understand and be understood. Discovering what it means to love and be loved.”
— Karen Shock, Too Much and Not Enough
ENDORSEMENTS
I swear, this book was written with my wife in mind. Okay, not really, but it could have been. It’s brilliant, poetic, raw, real, vulnerable, and everything the Christian faith should be but isn’t. It almost reads as a journal of sorts, where the author lets her readers take a look at what’s going on in her head. This takes guts, and I applaud Shock for taking such a risk (and pulling it off). Recommended reading for anyone who has wrestled with their faith.”
author of The Wisdom of Hobbits, producer of the Heretic Happy Hour podcast, and columnist for Patheos
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Matthew J. Distefano
Karen hasn’t written a book as much as she’s created a companion for your journey. “Too Much and Not Enough” will be a book that you come back to again and again as you come across experiences in your life that grow, evolve, and shift your faith in the Divine. If your heart and mind are filled with changing thoughts about life and faith and what it all means … Karen will help you put words on those feelings and be a peace with them. Do yourself a favor and add this book to your collection!”
host of the What If Project podcast and author of (Re)Thinking Everything
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Dr. Glenn Siepert
It is a rare work of art that can help us find beauty within the brokenness of our own story. In “Too Much And Not Enough” Karen Shock does exactly that. Her transparency is breathtaking and fills our souls with hope that we too can navigate a twisted road to a happy ending. This book is pure poetry magic and I loved every second of reading it.”
co-host of The Messy Spirituality Podcast
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Jason Elam
In “Too Much and Not Enough”, author Karen Shock vulnerably shares her journey to uncover her authentic self while questioning the very foundation on which her life was built—her faith. This powerful, poignant collection of poems will change lives for the better, especially those who love God but question their place in the church.”
author of Little Voices & Co-Founder of National Institute for Law and Justice
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Kiersten Hathcock
This book has captured the heart of a life's journey. Karen has picked the choices pieces of life and contained them in a book that calls to the heart of every human being. Karen has embodied the raw, organic, heart cry of every person who has suffered through fundamental religion. A religion that focuses on performance over the person. You will cry, shout and shake your head in agreement as she takes you through the pains of discovering that life is to be lived fully free not just the drudgery of compliant rules. As a poet I love the rhythm of her writing as it carries the reader on the winds of exploration. You will not be disappointed in reading this marvelous book of life.”
co-host of SQ1, poet, writer
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Roger Barnett
Organized religion is a tough spot for authentic people. Karen gave her heart and soul over and over again, but found it hard to fit in because she was evolving and growing. Too much for one group, not enough for another.
But she did the right thing. Instead of becoming small, she got bigger and eventually didn't apologize for it. Then she wrote her story poetically and started to share it with those that deserved to hear it.
Deconstruction is hard, but ultimately, living small is harder. We honor her for having the courage to be brave and vulnerable and lean into her trauma. “
Authors of Out Into the Desert: Thriving Outside Organized Religion and founders of The Desert Sanctuary
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Karl & Laura Forehand
Courageously and authentically, my friend Karen Shock leads the reader through a delightful journey in Jesus...minus all of the legalism and rules. She lays out her life journey and tells her own story in a very unique and easy-to-read style. You will not be able to put this book down and when you finish it, her stories will stay with you as they are very relatable.
author of The Renewing of Your Mind and The Reconstructing of Your Mind
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Todd Vick
In “Too Much and Not Enough”, Karen Ruth Shock speaks poetry into the messiness and beauty of life. In looking at her own life through a deep and discerning lens, Karen connects us all through shared humanity. By revealing her joys and struggles and breaking them down to their cores, Karen gently nudges us into our own self-examination as we all grapple with what it means to be human. Karen reminds us that when we ask the hard questions, we grow...even when the answers are nonexistent or unexpected. Raw, honest, transparent, unfiltered, Too Much and Not Enough is ultimately a book of optimism and hope. Karen Ruth Shock lets us know that the journey to self-acceptance is ongoing, and that is OK.
wife, mom, teacher
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Abbey Hoffman, M.Ed.
“Too Much and Not Enough” isn't just a book about Karen's life. It's an invitation to transparency and authentic inner dialogue we've all been craving. It's all the things we thought but dared not say and some we were too afraid to think.
It's for those of us who have tried so hard ~ for SO long ~ to walk the straight and narrow of our faith only to find we never really felt like we had it all together or that we were able to do all the things, all the time, for all the people.
Karen shares about traumas people of faith are often encouraged to bypass. She addresses struggles we've not been able to openly share and her journey of self advocacy.
Reading this book will not only give you a feeling of belonging, but it will show you just how normal it is to question, especially in the midst of hard experiences. It invites you into a space where you can be you and it really is completely ok.
It's one of the most incredible personable reading experiences I've had. You'll walk away from this book feeling as if Karen is one of your oldest and dearest friends.
humanity advocate, anti-racist, and lover of ALL
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Joanne McAfee Maldonado
So many “oh yes me too” moments as I read this. The honesty of Karen’s writing is so validating for all of us on this journey of seeking and learning and re-creating. Short and intentional chapters ensure that even those of us with little ones clamoring all over us are still able to read and receive this wisdom. Don’t miss this one!”
Elizabeth Enns Petters
co-host of the Deconstructing Mama’s Podcast, contributing author to bestselling book Deconstructing Hell
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In my opinion poetry is one of the best ways to open your heart and invite others along for the journey. Karen Shock has done this with her new book “Too Much and Not Enough”. The book is a mix of memoir and poetry. Karen asks us to join her in a place that allows for doubting, questioning and searching. Her poetry is at the same time raw and beautiful, timely and timeless, heartbreaking and hopeful. Are you someone that has found themselves ok with the hard questions? Are you someone willing to lose your faith to find one that is better? Then, this book is for you.”
co-host of This Is Not Church Podcast
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Jon Turney
Stepping into this book is like being invited into Karen’s life. As you read, you can feel with her heart, see with her eyes, and think with her mind. This book is real. Maybe too real for some. And maybe that’s the point. Karen brings you along her own journey beyond the conditioning and certainty of religion, while still inviting you to know a Jesus who transcends our beliefs, tribes, and churches with an ever- present embrace of everything. So good.”
author of The Making of Mystic and The Joy of Letting Go
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Kevin Sweeney
I have come to realize that truth has a cadence…a distinct and recognizable rhythm. From the first line to the last, Karen Ruth Shock draws us into the eb and flow of faith… the inevitable dissonance between doctrine and decision. “Too Much and Not Enough” is both a teacher and a pupil, a leader and a follower, a destination and a journey. We get to see through the eyes of Shock into ourselves and therefore into the heart of God… a God who is big enough for every single one of us. And though she wades into the deep, Shock keeps us afloat by flouting the rules of literary restraint with delightful intention… showing us in “Too Much and Not Enough” that pain can be poetry, and serenity can be the song that dares us to find freedom, inviting us toward the light, helping us to live loved.”
poet, spoken word artist, author of The Church Can Go To Hell
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Desimber Rose
Karen’s vulnerability in “Too Much and Not Enough” is both refreshing and inspiring. Her unique writing style and unbridled honesty pulled me in right away, and her words made me feel seen. This book is truly unique and compelling, and I know it will be vastly impactful for anyone who’s experienced brokenness in their faith journey!
musical artist, YouTuber
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Jonah Baker
I'm not necessarily one for poetry, but I found myself absolutely inspired by Karen's vulnerability and "Amen-ing" to so much of what she shared. It was as if she openly invited me into her life to connect with an authentic human being.
“Too Much and Not Enough” is an honest, welcoming, and poetic reminder that even though all of us at times may feel too much and not enough, we are truly never too much and always enough. No matter where you are in your deconstruction journey, you will find healing in this book."
religious trauma coach
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Justin Tang
Karen's writing feels like a hug from a wise but perfectly imperfect big sister. Her whimsical and humor-filled style present deep and profound self observations while simultaneously bringing a lightness to even the heaviest of subject matter. Through honest and playful storytelling, Shock invites readers to reflect upon their own lives from a place of curiosity about life's big and little questions. Questions about faith, family, mental health, pain, loss, love and more. She reminds us that the human experience with all of its struggle and strife, can be an ever evolving gift.”
co-hosts of The Anxiety Warriors Podcast
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Margot Harris & Abigail Wilber
I felt like I was reading my own thoughts. It was like a weighted blanket making you feel warm and held. Not alone. Knowing that other people have these same intrusive or reserved thoughts as I do. It really pulled me in which is hard to do, I only want to read something if I feel like it is going to help me grow and apply the tools I learn into my life. This book did just that.”
professional dancer
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Anna Miller
Let’s Connect.
Are you interested in Too Much and Not Enough? Send me an email below and let’s connect.