This week on Real Talk with Rachael I'm speaking with author Sarah Philpott about her new book The Growing Season: A Year of Down-on-the-Farm Devotions. Sarah is the ECPA Award-nominated author of Loved Baby: 31 Devotions Helping You Grieve and Cherish Your Child After Pregnancy Loss. On her website, she writes about her family, life on a cattle farm in the South, and learning to cherish God’s provisions in joy and sorrow. Also, she doesn't share desserts.
Key Points from Our Conversation:
- "Fallow ground" is soil that has been left unplanted to rest and regenerate. Without rest, the soil loses its nutrients and cannot grow crops. We also need rest in our spiritual lives to fill our souls so that we can pour into others.
- Resting well requires pruning things out of our lives in different seasons. Take inventory of what you've committed to and eliminate the things that don't fit your priorities right now.
- "To grow a little, you've got to cut a little."
- Remember that everything is a season. In busy seasons, you may have to prune "good" things. Choose what you can do well and give yourself grace. No one is doing it all.
- You'll know you're growing spiritually when the attributes of the fruit of the Spirit come more naturally to you.
- Savor the "summer" seasons in your life when everything is blooming. We feel God's presence when we witness how He designed everything in nature to work in harmony.
- Fall is a harvest season that allows you to rejoice in the fruits of your labor.
Let’s Get Real Practical:
Have you ever found yourself frustrated in an area of your life over and over? I have good news for you - the time for growth is here. Some of you might need to plant new seeds, others will see seeds they've been watering finally sprout. Ask God these two questions this week: What area do You want to grow in my life this month? What responsibility do I have for that growth? Then be sure to write down what He says to you.
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