Changed360

I wanted to do a little review of an awesome Christian book I recently read. I would love to help you find a good read that points you to Christ and helps you grow in your faith! The book is titled Cultivate, A Grace Filled Guide to Growing an Intentional Life by Lara Casey. This book had been forgotten on my shelf for some time (like years) but one evening I had some time to myself and was looking on my shelves for something to read. If your like me, it is wishful thinking to finish a book these days and for good reason! Apart from my time in God’s word I don’t have much time for any extra reading, unless its Duck and Goose or Dr. Seuss. (and truly, I love that! I know those days will too soon be gone) So back to the book, I believe God prompted me to pick up this book that night. No doubt in my mind! It was a message I needed! Isn’t God so Kind? He sees us, hears us, and speaks to us in little and big ways. Oh how he loves us! So if you are looking for a good Christian non fiction read this is for you!

Throughout this book Lara compares our lives to gardening, it is a simple and easy to follow analogy. She beautifully articulates it. If you aren’t much on gardening don’t count yourself out, I imagine by the end of the book you’ll be making a trip to by some seeds and cultivate something! The book is set up into 3 parts: Prepare your Garden, Dig In, and Savior the Fruit. She begins each chapter with breaking up a lie and replacing it with Godly truth. Something you are prompted to think about is what you want to cultivate in your life. Sometimes amidst everyday life it can be difficult to see a bigger picture. I love the reminder this prompted for me; we may not see the fruit of what we cultivate for years or potentially ever but don’t let the lack of instant gratification keep you from cultivating! One of the features I love about this book is how you journal through it with simple questions in each chapter. It really helps you to think out what you want to cultivate in your life, and how to put action to the desire. One question that caught my attention was about what weeds you need to pull in your life, for example where you might be wasting time. These “weeds” may be pulling you away from your relationship with God, family, a healthier lifestyle, etc. She takes a look at life through the lens of seasons and references Ecclesiastes 3, which tells us there is a time for everything. Scripture is weaved all throughout this book and used appropriately. Matthew 13 The Parable of the Soils is really dug into and then she asks you to evaluate your “soil”. I love how she uses gardening to compare to our lives. It is such a beautiful visual that is so easy to understand. There are different seasons with gardening, the garden isn’t always in bloom but we can’t have the blooms without the breaking of the ground, pulling of the weeds, planting of the seeds, watering, and so much more. And the beauty of it isn’t just in the blooms but in seeking to honor and glorify God with our lives no matter what season we are in. I think this book could be enjoyed by all ages but particularly younger mamas as she discusses motherhood and caring for littles, adoption, and fertility issues. The book also includes a group guide if you want to read it along side friends. If you’re looking for a biblical book that will help you to be more intentional, cultivate, and grow this needs to be your next read!

Grow in Grace!

– Faith