The Saturday Six

One.

Listen here

This week's Conversation Cafe is dear to my heart, because I know this topic affects so many of you. A few weeks ago, I featured Sarah Philpott's book, Loved Baby, in my book review, and I had a copy to give away to anyone who was working through pregnancy lost. Several of you entered that drawing, and I wished I'd had unlimited books to send one to each of you! I'm sure there were even more of you reading who didn't enter, but could have. I had the chance to talk with Sarah this week about pregnancy loss, and she not only shared her own story and the hurt of her heart, but she offered great wisdom on how to walk alongside someone who has face this deep hurt lately. Even if you have never lost a child, you probably know someone who has, and Sarah's words can help you understand that friend's journey a bit better. I hope you can listen and learn some new truths!


Two.

Remember earlier this year when my mom had hip replacement surgery and I made all those individual freezer meals for her? Well, my friend Sarah has a great list of meal ideas to take to someone in need...and they are all healthy ideas! So if you know someone about to have surgery, a baby, or just a busy season, here you go!


Three.

My name twin, Bekah Pogue, has written this beautiful piece on feeling hopeless. Bekah and her husband recently moved across the country, and they're still searching for jobs. They're getting (understandably) weary in the waiting, and this piece is raw and vulnerable. Maybe you're not waiting for a JOB, but if you're waiting for ANYTHING, read this.


Four.

 How in the world this item slid to number FOUR in my list is absolutely beyond me and mine, but let's just pause to PARTY IN HONOR OF THE TIME CHANGE!!! Tomorrow you get a whole extra hour of sleep, and a measure of joy returns to your dear Bekah's soul, so don't forget!!! Change the clocks! (Or in the case of my preferred method...now all your clocks will be correct again!)


Five.

 This is a beautiful post by Jill Eileen Smith - about listening to the Lord in prayer and not just doing all the talking. Gulp. #guilty

Six.

Source

This week, I read a book that was a bit of a stretch for me in topic, and I want to tell you a little about it today. A Pocketful of Seeds by Debbie Johnson is a 365 day reading that I knocked out in one week flat, and WHEW! It was a lot of information for one week!

To be fair, Debbie specifically says in the book that it wasn't intended to be the kind of reading where every reader should apply every word. Unfortunately, I am the kind of reader who feels obligated to drink up and apply every word, so I struggled to reframe my thoughts as I read! But before I say more on that, allow me to back up and explain the premise of the book.

Debbie has a background in social work and has been heavily involved in the work of multiple nonprofit organizations over the past few years. She explains some (DenverWorks and Dalit Freedom Network) at length in the readings throughout the book. In the preface to the book, Debbie explains that when we are filled with the Spirit of God, it's almost like we have a pocketful of seeds. We can reach in, grab a seed, plant it, and step back to see how God waters and matures the life of that seed. She says no matter how small the "seed" might be (even something as small as a simple note written to someone), it can bring about extraordinary change.

The remainder of the book contains a short reading for each day of the year intended to stir your thoughts toward ways you can plant seeds of change. Many of the ideas and topics have to do with social injustice and change, but some are more personal and challenge the reader to focus on inward change.

Each day's reading concludes with a challenge and either a Scripture verse or a quote relevant to the topic.

I went into this book with the mindset that this was a devotional book, and after finishing the book, I would say it is not really classified as a devotional. (Though the back of the book does call it that.) Perhaps this is my own narrow-minded vision, but for me, a devotional points you into the Word, and this book points you sometimes through the Word, but it leaves you looking outward at the world and how you can be an agent of change.

As I said at the beginning, this was a lot to take in (information-wise) in the small span of a week. It is definitely better read over the course of time, when you're able to absorb it more fully. And you definitely need to remember Debbie's admonition that not every single suggestion throughout the book will zing you, apply to you, or even be possible for you. That's not her intention!

The book was educational for me, as it opened my eyes to scenarios, problems, and organizations that I hadn't even been aware of prior to reading. (The back of the book contains a list of websites and resources mentioned throughout the book if you find something you want to further pursue.)

Here are a few examples of thoughts I loved:

* "Expanding one's horizons doesn't have to mean moving to the Wild West or even off the street on which you grew up. It just means opening our eyes to the world around us." (p. 23)

* I feel like a quilt. Scraps that God has sewn together. And you know what? Quilts are beautiful and full of meaning. In fact, I'd rather be a quilt than a perfect, flawless, untouchable coverlet." (p. 48)

* "We can carry the crushed in our hearts. May God transform our feeble carryings into miracles. He is able." (p. 71)

And here are some examples of her themes on different days:

* Provide Mosquito Nets (p. 123)
* Hang Out with the Differently-Abled (p. 157)
* Loan Your Executive Skills (p. 187)
* Recognize Everyday Heroes (p. 235)

If you're looking to stretch your comfort zone, this book might be a great resource for you to read through on a daily basis in the coming year. It would also be fitting if you're working with teens or college students, mentoring someone, or leading others in business. There are definitely some innovative ideas for service and living out our faith. You probably won't be drawn to every idea. But you might be drawn to plant some seeds, and you never know when God might bring about a huge harvest from one seed!

* The Blythe Daniel Agency provided a copy of this book to me at no charge. All opinions are my own. I have one extra copy to give away to anyone with a US mailing address who would like to enter a drawing. Just leave a comment that says "I want to plant some seeds!" and I'll enter your name! I will leave the drawing open until Friday night, November 10th, at 10:00 p.m. ET and I'll announce the winner on next week's Saturday Six! *