Living Our November Days

Planting Garlic, Getting Unstuck, and Giving Thanks

The days had grown cold and the daylight scarce. If I was going to plant my garlic before the ground froze, it would have to be soon, so I grabbed a shovel and began digging a trench in the east garden. The earth smelled like fall, but soon the aroma of garlic filled my nostrils as I began dropping one smooth garlic clove after another into the dark soil.

Root side down, pointy side up, the white cloves were a pale ellipsis in the trench. I covered them carefully and then patted the dirt smooth. A six-inch blanket of fallen leaves finished the job, insulating the garlic for its long winter sleep.

“How will they survive the cold?” I wondered, shivering a bit at the thought of living outside through a Maine winter with nothing but earth and leaves for protection. Even so, I knew I had followed the directions and my heart was full of hope. I could almost smell the delicious sauces and stir-fries I would be flavoring with garlic after next year’s harvest.

There’s a spiritual principle lurking along the edges of this story, and here it is: I’ve heard from so many women who want to grow in their understanding of God’s Word and their confidence as Christ-followers, but they feel stuck. They’re worried that they’re not doing it “right,” as if there’s only one way to pray and one way to take nourishment from God’s Word.

God’s not looking for experts in prayer. He’s looking for people who do it!
He’s not looking for Bible quizzing champions. He’s more concerned that we take the words we read into our souls.

Planting garlic, cultivating a life of prayer, or sowing the seed of God’s Word in one’s own heart’s soil are all formidable undertakings in their own way. One thing, however, is certain:
If we don’t begin somewhere, we’ll never see growth.

November Book Briefs

Interested in a more comprehensive review of one or more of this month’s books? You can find ALL my reviews over at Living Our Days.

How Will You Observe Advent this Year?

In addition to the month’s Book Briefs, I’ve got a free Advent devotional at YouVersion. It’s a four-part series featuring Isaiah's prophecy of a coming Messiah. Together, we remember that Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor with Supernatural Wisdom. He is our Mighty God, unlimited in His Ability to do what He wills. He is the compassionate Everlasting Father, the Giver of good gifts, and Jesus is the Fountain of deep well-being, our Prince of Peace.

On the Road in November…

What a gift to spend two consecutive Saturdays teaching the Bible to groups of truth-loving women!

If you’re planning an event for Christmas or looking ahead to 2025 and know that you’ll be needing a speaker, let’s talk about it.

Project Christmas Mittens!

Finished! In November, I knitted the last stitch on the tiniest pair of mittens making six pairs—all ready to give to my grandkids when we gather for Thanksgiving Day. Whatever you’re doing to give thanks this year, may your celebration be richly blessed and may you sense the presence and the pleasure of the Lord.

Holding you in the Light,

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