Consider: the wildflowers

I’m a picture book author, continuously reading children’s books, but never finding the time to take in books for myself. If I believe it’s good for my son to read books, shouldn’t I be reading for me, too? Is that really my priority, though?

As our family makes it a household value to spend mornings, afternoons and evenings reading picture books, I have come to realize the need for my own soul cravings. While book cuddles feed our son’s curiosity, creativity, calm and closeness, the same goes for me, as a woman.

Since motherhood, it has been such a struggle for me to read a book. It has been four years and I still can’t seem to find a rhythm, or get past the brain fog and inability to focus. And when I think about reading in any space, I regret not having read God‘s word first in any spare moments I’ve had.

But I realize how strongly my heart needs it. Not necessarily a book, but THE book. THE Word. If I can’t consume the books on my want list, I know I first need to feed on God’s words to make me hungry again. To feed my curiosity for His mystery, spark my creativity in His Spirit, feel the calm in His peace, and become completely complete by His closeness. More than a book… I need His Word day and night, night and day.

Here is where God feeds me in abundance. Yes, I stilll need to open my Bible, but I’m so thankful one of my favourite author/illustrators recently came out with a new devotional that has opened me up again to take in His Word. And! It’s basically the equivalent of a picture book that adds a little extra delight to my identity and soul in the midst of a too early morning, or heavy evening.

So I’m taking the time out of my routine library visits with my little guy, and reviewing children’s picture books. Not just for me, but to invite any others who might be living off the fumes of their last cold coffee. Or struggling with too much brain fog to process a letter to the church of Corinth. If in this season, like me, you need to just take in a digestible amount of truth, wrapped in watercolour delight. Then I recommend this devotional for you, beloved daughters of the most high.

In The Way of the Wildflower, Ruth Chou Simons writes about our identity in Christ through

our dependency,

our freedom,

our resilience,

our unhurriedness and

our belovedness

based on Jesus’ words in Luke:

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!” — Luke 12:25–28

Thought I’d add a couple of my own pressed wildflowers to this declaration printable I received after pre-ordering the book!

Consider, in Greek, katanoeō, to fix our eyes, examine closely, thoughtfully understand, and chew on. In this case, the truth about one of God’s creations —- a wildflower. To reflect on who I am instead of all I need to do. And to live in action of whose I am. And to read it out loud. And keep it in my heart, at the centre of me.

Stop and smell the flowers. A pause and an action. To stop striving or escaping, and grow with delight in my Creator, Provider, Sustainer. It’s a beautiful depiction of our identity in Him.

Picture book read alouds have become a staple for our family’s breathe out rhythms amongst the daily chaos. Maybe it’s a walk in the woods, a good movie, painting, or sipping on a warm coffee in silence. These are all wonderful ways to pause. But first, I’m reminded, it is the Word that will fill me up full and ready for the next breath in.

I highly recommend pre-ordering this gorgeous devotional that will be out a week from today! ( I may have gotten early access to it, and read through it once 😉 ) Start diving into God’s Word once again, to feed the soil that may have dried up. Receive and grow beautifully and abundantly with Him.