Friends, I want to tell you about a very special book written by Kayla Craig - a new friend of mine. It is called Every Season Sacred: Reflections, Prayers, and Invitations to Nourish Your Soul and Nurture Your Family throughout the Year.
This is the book I wish I had when I was raising our family.
First of all, it is gorgeously written. Poetic, personal and empowering. This is not how-to-raise-a-perfect-Christian-family book. It is a heartfelt message of love from one parent to a world of parents hoping to find a way forward in this world. Especially a way forward with faith that makes sense for both parents and the children we love.
This combination is so hard to find. We are often forced to choose between a devotional book for our children or a book written exclusively for parents. How rare to find one written so nimbly for both, for all of us, for families.
Organized around the seasons of the year and designed to sit by your bedside, on your desk, or plunk in the middle of your kitchen table, this book is a workhorse. A friendly hand-hold through our messy, beautiful family lives. Created to be written in, spilled on, used and re-used over and over, season after season, this book will not just sit on a shelf.
Filled with short, winsome essays, family conversation starters, prayers for kids and parents and gorgeously crafted breath prayers, Every Season Sacred has something for every member of every sort of family.
And the writing - especially about faith - is incredibly nuanced and delightful. No cheesy cliches, trite answers to difficult issues, no bossiness or preachiness in sight. Just the warmest, most welcoming invitation to seek God wherever we find ourselves on the journey of faith. And - more importantly - Kayla reminds us on almost every page that we are deeply loved by God. Our children are so deeply loved by God. Our families are so deeply loved by God. No matter what.
Written like an invitation from a generous friend, Every Season Sacred will wrap you up like a blanket during a chilly fall night, provide comfort on a dark winter morning, offer freedom like the first morning of spring, and remind you that God's face is turned toward you and your kids like the midday summer sun.
Even as a mom of adult kids, I have found strength and solace in Kayla's writing.
Pre-order it now from your favorite bookseller! Buy several for friends, to stuff in Christmas stockings, as baby shower gifts, for birthdays, or for no reason at all. You will not be disappointed. Promise!
