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Last summer, I wrote a couple of devotions for a scripture study journal called Stories of Grace, published by a ministry I am a part of called Take Up & Read. Stories of Grace is a study of Jesus’ parables and what they mean in our own lives. My devotions were on the sower and the seed and the mystery of grace working in our soul, and fittingly, the prodigal son. I think all of us can relate to that parable in some way, and for me it is hitting particularly hard this week as some dear friends of ours are in trouble, leaving us in a position where all we can do is pray, hope, and wait. And I realize, once again, how difficult it can be to trust that God’s love is with us always. When my copy of Stories of Grace arrived this week and I reread my own words I was struck by how much I needed them right now, and maybe they will meet you where you are as well.
This journal is full of beautiful stories, and there will be a companion blog series as well, to which I contributed most of the photography. I hope you will join us there from October 1st through October 31st as we work through the journal as a community. I think if you order your book today, you might have it in time to begin! If not, don’t worry, it will be easy to catch up and the blog posts will always be there. I also want to mention that there is a FREE children’s companion journal available for download from Take Up & Read. There is a primary version for kids ages approximately 5-8, and another for the older children ages 8-13. I am planning on working through these with my girls as they have been deeply affected by the situation with our friends and are really struggling right now. I pray that Stories of Grace will be healing for all of us.
Renee Anne says
Okay, seriously…..when did the little boys get so BIG?! I know Silas is a little younger than my oldest and that Job is a little younger than my youngest…but how did they grow so much and start looking like little boys?!
Kirsten says
Dear Ginny,
hello from Hamburg, Germany. I’ve just finished reading the archive of your blog and came out at this latest post of yours. It’s a funny feeling, similar to finishing a book that drew you between its pages and I definitely feel a little sad. I think it took me about 2 months of reading during nursing my son (who is about the same age as your Mabel). During that time, I often thought that I should be writing you at the end and so I am now. I’ve never commented a blog post before. I’ve been looking at some blogs but only got stuck with a few of them, one of them was Carolin’s Naturmama blog. She sometimes joined your Yarn along. That’s the link.
Although this online connecting thing feels awkward to me, I would like to share my feelings and thoughts with you so you know what kind of impact your writing has even on women half (or quarter) around the globe.
I loved watching your children grow up. It made me realize how very fast time passes and how important it is to seize the moment. I loved that your blog is not at all concepty or advising and at the same time is. Most blogs I’ve attended to actually try to convince their readers of a certain way of living or educational attitude etc. You just let them watch. I think thats really humble and generous.
I love your style of writing. One of the main reasons why I stuck to it for such a long time. Open, entertaining, deep.
I took a lot of your thoughts to my day-to-day-life. It’s hard to sum up (just tried and deleted because it all sounded like “seize the moment” and “they’re only little once” then. So I won’t.)
Maybe this will work as a conclusion: you really reminded me of being a child, of the dreams I then had of having a family, being a mother. I always wanted to cherish every moment like Anne of Green Gables and wanted to stay aware of the uniqueness of childhood. Your writing made these thoughts be close to me again. It feels very good.
Somehow they got covered by growing up, managing a family (with two working parents), growing up, too many pictures of clean lives online and living in the city.
Thanks a lot for helping me to dig out of this. Yours, Kirsten
ps: One more thing: I refer to you as my online friend Ginny when I tell my husband about you. Does that sound creepy? 😀
Ginny says
Not creepy at all! 🙂 Thanks so much for writing!!
Heather says
Ginny,
I am NOT a fan of the parables, as many of my friends from church know. 🙂 But I was wondering if this book is more Catholic leaning or more in the realm of general Christian. I read the preface and it looked very interesting… Thanks!
Clémence says
Oh this looks beautiful, and must be very inspiring to read! and those early autumn pics…
Laurel says
I loved Consider the Lilies and I’m very much looking forward to diving into Stories of Grace. They are beautiful.
Prayers for you and your family, Ginny.
Laura says
Hi Ginny,
I first learned of Consider the Lilies from one of your posts. I hadn’t done a Bible study in a very long time but felt called to participate in that one. It was an answer to a prayer I didn’t know to pray. Of course, I ordered Stories of Grace as soon as it became available! From my heart to yours, thank you for introducing me to Take Up and Read and reintroducing me to my Bible.
Holding you in my prayers,
Laura
Cathy says
The story I always like the best is that of the man asking for a loaf of bread from his neighbours and having to make a hullaballo. Sometimes I find that prayers have to be really shouted ( Silently) to be heard, nothing half hearted. I have seen and experienced real miracles when I have demanded action right now. The situations were resolved but not always how I expected them to be, but always for the best.
Maria says
The book looks beautiful, Ginny. Praying that things work out for your friends. In case you are still looking for reading suggestions, there is a little book called Great Possessions by David Kline that is a nice peaceful read. It is full of descriptions of the wildlife and plants on an Amish farmer’s farm, beautifully written.
Ginny says
Thank you for the recommendation! I just ordered it.
Maria says
Hope you like it, the love of nature in the book made me think of your posts 🙂
M. Van Vilsteren says
Thanks for telling about this book. I love the Amish and I love nature.
Best wishes from the Netherlands,
Marianne
Bee says
That book turned out looking so beautiful! 🙂
Keeping you, your family, and your friends’ family in my thoughts as all of you work through this. Much love.
Ginny says
Thank you, Bee!
Julia says
I will be praying for God’s grace upon your family and upon your friends. Thank you for sharing.
Ginny says
Thank you, Julia! Your prayers are so appreciated.