#sponsor #partner
If you are anything like me (and I’m guessing you might be, since I’m clearly a book lover and you must be as well, if you’re reading this post), you adore good fiction in its many forms. The the book-loving pump was primed for me when much-loved relatives read me storybooks over and over, from my tiny child years on. When I learned to read to myself, it was if a door for joy and delight opened in my life. And, I never looked back.
I remember clearly the effect the book, The Secret Garden, had on me. Despite the fact that it starts with a tragedy and its protagonist is (at the beginning at least) an unlikable little girl–this classic masterwork of literature caught me squarely in its lovely narrative and pulled me along in, as Mary Lennox herself might say, its rich Magic. And now, author Rachel Dodge has taken this much-beloved childhood book and created an engaging and inspiring devotional based on it. Keep reading for more (including a giveaway!) plus my own review.
Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Secret Garden Devotional by Rachel Dodge, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Devotional Inspiration from Mary Lennox’s Beautifully Mysterious Secret Garden
The Secret Garden Devotional offers lovely inspiration that explores the themes of faith, family, contentment, wisdom, and joy in the classic Frances Hodgson Burnett novel, cherished by generations of readers. Each reading corresponds with a chapter from the book and invites you to embrace God’s guiding hand in your life as you are becoming His new creation. With themes of growth, spiritual nourishment, God’s love and care, and His transforming power, this beautiful chapter-by-chapter devotional includes original artwork throughout. Each reading includes examples from the novel, scripture, life application, and prayers perfect for groups, book clubs, or personal reflection.PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rachel Dodge is the bestselling author of the award-winning Anne of Green Gables Devotional, The Little Women Devotional, and Praying with Jane: 31 Days Through the Prayers of Jane Austen. Rachel’s newest book is The Secret Garden Devotional! Rachel teaches college English classes, gives talks at libraries, teas, and book clubs, and is a writer for the popular Jane Austen’s World blog. She is passionate about encouraging and equipping women to grow closer to Jesus through prayer and the study of God’s Word. A true kindred spirit at heart, Rachel enjoys books, bonnets, and ball gowns.
Connect with Rachel by visiting racheldodge.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(2) winners will receive a signed copy of The Secret Garden Devotional and a hardcover illustrated copy of The Secret Garden along with a bookmark and stickers.
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 30, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 7, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE https://widget.gleamjs.io/e.js
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
My thoughts
Oh my friends. Sometimes there is beauty in books that just makes you stop, ponder, and appreciate. The Secret Garden is one of those books. How fitting that Rachel Dodge’s The Secret Garden Devotional is, as well!
Mary Lennox’s story, although I’d never have realized it when I was a child myself, can be viewed as an archetype of the lives of humans before they step into lives of faith, and during and after that step, as Jesus begins to transform them and make them more like Himself. Mary is (for many understandable reasons) disagreeable, selfish, argumentative; generally quite unlikable! But Mary’s journey doesn’t end with her tragedy. The journey continues to what looks like, at first, an also very disagreeable place; to a huge dark mansion in the middle of forbidding-looking moors. That still isn’t looking so great–but oh, the transformation in Mary as she begins to live her new life! And she’s not the only one who has a transformation. Beautiful change is coming not only for Mary and the humans around her, but for the place she lives as well.
So Rachel takes this lovely story and breaks it down, bit by bit, into devotional illustrations for us, from Mary’s life. She uses Scripture generously to show us the beauty available in the walk of the believer as we see the blossoming of the secret garden at Misselthwaite. Her chapters cover so many things that we face as believers; joy, answered prayers, difficulty, the nearness of our Father–and so much more.
“Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) says, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” As a follower of Christ, you now have access to God’s throne of grace. As you come before Him with a humble heart, asking for His will to be done, don’t be bashful–and don’t leave anything out. Go to God with your eager, anxious requests. Run to Him freely and quickly with your every need, with your greatest fears, and with your wildest dreams. Ask Him to expand your territory and give you a “bit of earth” to tend.”
The Secret Garden Devotional, Rachel Dodge
Are you needing a fresh breath of life in your quiet times; a reminder of God’s deep, abiding, indescribable love for you? Then I recommend this lovely book for you. It will encourage and strengthen you even as you are re-established in the beauty available in the life of a Christ-follower; even if you feel that you’ve lost that sense of beauty for awhile. Be reminded that God is for us, and He is always with us. The Secret Garden Devotional will walk with you down that beautiful path where the garden of our soul-lives can be tended, refreshed, and brought back to life by the hand of Jesus, the master Gardener.
Enjoy! –Wren
Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
finchnwren 