If you’re looking to switch up your daily devotion and cultivate a lifestyle of spiritual growth, checkout these nature-inspired books to help your faith blossom with purpose in any season. Each book is full of encouragement and wisdom relevant for any life stage, to help Christian women strengthen their identity and deepen their trust in God.
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please note that I’ve linked to these products purely because I recommend them and they are from companies I trust. There is no additional cost to you. Please read my Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more info.
Bookshop is an online seller that supports independent brick-and-mortar bookstores. Their mission is to “keep local bookstores an integral part of culture and communities” by giving 75% of their profit margin to “local bookstores, publications, authors and others who make up the thriving, inspirational culture around books!” (from Bookshop website)
Well Watered Woman
Rooted in Truth, Growing in Grace, Flourishing in Faith
AUTHOR: Gretchen Saffles
WEBSITE: wellwateredwomen.com
REVIEW:
This devotional is filled with nourishing words that speak truth into any life stage. The content is easy to read through, while still feeling personal and relevant.
The book is divided into 3 sections—The Well, The Word, and The Way—with 5-6 chapters in each. A list of “Well Watered Woman Statements” is included at the back, as well as sprinkled throughout each section.
Nature and plant cycles are core themes, symbolizing the many seasons we grow through in our own lives, and how God works through each one. This book is saturated with intentionality and wisdom, not only painting a beautiful picture and fresh perspective of who God is, but also giving practical encouragement to help your faith flourish.
Whether you feel consumed by your life situation or are currently in a season of abundance, the author’s warmth and authenticity are sure to resonate and reveal something new about God’s presence.
It’s a great option if you’re looking to go deeper in your devotional time or seeking fresh spiritual nourishment. It would be difficult to read this book and have it not make an impact or bear good fruit in your life.
FAVORITE QUOTES:
- “By getting her hands dirty and planting a garden where she never wanted to be in the first place, she learns to seek God and find him in a place she never thought he could be found.” (pg 104)
- “May we live… with our roots deep in the soil of now, whether we find ourselves in a wilderness, a wasteland, or a wonderland.” (pg 105)
- “[God] burns away every unnecessary and unfruitful desire and uses those ashes to spark healthy rhythms that stir our affections for him.” (pg 127)
- “The dark night of the soul is real and can feel consuming, but the sun always rises again. The clouds always clear away and reveal that the Son never stopped shining in the first place. Though we may not be able to see or feel the nearness of God for a time, he will soon lift the veil and our vision will return—and along with it, healing, wholeness, and freedom.” (pg 173)
- “Every fruitful garden has weeds to be pulled.” (pg 212)
Dare to Bloom
REVIEW:
This book feels significant right from the acknowledgements page, and is written in a way that makes you think okay, this is going to be something special.
The introduction addresses the question of “who are you when the thing you’ve identified yourself with is no longer there?” (pg 26).
The book is divided into 10 sections, highlighting a range of different seasons we may find ourselves in, with questions at the end of each for the reader to reflect on. It offers an abundance of wisdom on finding our identity in God rather than society or circumstances—trusting God in the midst of transitions and seeking Him through the unknown.
Pages are filled with stunning floral illustrations and the author’s photos from traveling around the world. It even comes with a ribbon bookmark which is an added bonus!
This book is perfect for anyone faced with a sudden life change or unexpected turn of events, whether it’s a job, relationship, or anything else. The main theme focuses on painful endings, how we may not understand them in the moment, yet we can have peace knowing that new seasons of grace and healing are waiting for us when we step out in Trust.
FAVORITE QUOTES:
- “May the discomfort of the unfamiliar always remind you to whom you belong.” (pg 5)
- “[God] sees the things that hold us back that are often hiding in our blind spots—right where we don’t see them—and swiftly cuts them off to make sure that our growth isn’t restricted.” (pg 173)
- “All of the things that you think are going wrong—God will break it wide open so that His Truth can flow freely.” (pg 195)
- “During our lowest moments in the valley, we must stay close to the river. During the rise to the top, we must stay grounded and remember the wisdom we gathered in the valley.” (pg 195)
- “Blooming is simply a shift from shadow to sunshine. (pg 203)
The Fight to Flourish
Engaging in the Struggle to Cultivate the Life You Were Born to Live
AUTHOR: Jennie Lusko
WEBSITE: jennielusko.com
REVIEW:
This book is divided into 17 chapters, covering a range of heavy yet significant topics. While much of the content relates to having lost a young child, it’s definitely worth reading for people in all seasons of life—marriage, parenthood, friendships, how to support those struggling, as well as how to receive support graciously.
It can be challenging to speak truth and encouragement over ourselves or loved ones when going through difficult seasons. This book is overflowing with beautifully contrasted themes of grit and grace, fighting and flourishing, softness and strength.
It addresses the age-old questions of why bad things happen in life and where is God in the midst of our heartache. The author’s story embodies what it means to be a steadfast woman of God, to push onward with humility and receive His strength, especially in times when we feel like it the least.
If you have ever traversed through loss, grief, or any form of spiritual darkness—or if you’re currently lost in the middle of it—this book highlights how to rely on God through our most painful and devastating seasons, so that our surrender can glorify Him.
FAVORITE QUOTES:
- “Hiding in our hurt or pain is natural, comfortable, and familiar. It’s harder to choose to walk toward what’s painful. It seems so much safer to stay put and not push forward. But if we can fight forward, in His strength, we let God heal us the way He wants to and cultivate in us a grit to keep going.” (pg 36)
- “Fighting means the most when you feel like doing it the least.” (pg 39)
- “Every time the hurt of my heart reopens, it’s an opportunity for God to continue to heal me.” (pg 101)
- “A wounded woman with a healthy soul, who is letting her Savior heal her, is a significant tool in God’s hands.” (pg 170)
- “What God does in you isn’t just for you… He wants to not just do the beautifying work in you but to work through you to strengthen those around you.” (pg 214)
All Along You Were Blooming
REVIEW:
This collection of poetry is divided into 4 sections—for the heart, mind, body, and soul. Pages are filled with stunning artwork, caring reminders, and prose that are perfect to reflect on one or several each day. It’s also a great addition for creatives to flip through for inspiration and wholesome encouragement.
The tone is engaging, empathetic, and heartfelt. Each work focuses around themes of grace, imperfection, inner healing and restoration, to live out a life of purpose.
This book is a must have for anyone who wants to cultivate mindfulness, but is unsure how or where to start. It offers beautiful insight and inspiration to carve out space for seeing things in new ways, for breathing, and simply being present in each moment.
FAVORITE QUOTES:
- “Never let fear make a home in your garden. It is a weed, but you are free to yank it up, you are free to speak with fire: ‘enough is enough.'” (pg 68)
- “And if you truly want to grow, make a practice out of gratitude: the daily art of celebrating the life unfolding before your eyes.” (pg 93)
- “Even the softest, lightest rain can break the ground beneath my feet and fill the very roots of me with the tenderness I need.” (pg 109)
- “The thing about sowing seeds and waiting for them to spring into their bloom is that before any of that begins, the soil must be prepared. The ground must be broken before anything can grow.” (pg 146)
- “We are all blooming, and as we breathe this same air, side by side, we are reminded at our core, how similar we are.” (pg 164)
≫ Have you read any of these books? I’d love to hear your thoughts below!
Read anything here that resonates? Save your favorite blog posts to Pinterest so others can find it too, and follow @thebeaconroad on Instagram for more bite sized content 🙂 Your support means so much—thank you for being here!
Featured images © The Beacon Road
Shop the Look
