This giveaway is CLOSED. Thanks for joining!
If you follow me on social media
You know this already… but
Guess what happened this week!
Peanut Butter and Dragon Wings: A Mother’s Search for Grace
Arrived to my home and my hands.
It’s available on Amazon,
It’s in stores July 6,
It’s stunningly reviewed here by Dorcas Smucker…
And in celebration of its launch,
I’m offering a free, signed copy
To two of you lovely people.
To enter the giveaway,
Please comment below with one thing
That has symbolized human kindness or divine provision to YOU
(Like my peanut butter and my “dragon wings”),
Some gift or tangible reminder of goodness…
And that’s all you have to do,
Because
It’s a gift.
I look forward to mailing two of you
One copy each.
If you already bought your copy, maybe this one can be for a friend.
Thanks so much for supporting me through this journey!
These particular copies drop-shipped to me directly from the printer,
But all online orders will ship soon –
And I will have more copies available at my house
For local buyers only
Who want them signed.
xo
Shari
Giveaway will remain open for one week, closing at midnight on Wednesday, June 30. Open to residents of the US only. Winner will be chosen by random.org.
This giveaway is CLOSED. Thanks for joining!
Yesterday, I was randomly looking through my Bible for inspiration to help someone else and God dropped a bombshell that was just what I needed to remind myself that even though I might not entirely love the craziness of this summer, I am still called to plant and garden and pray. It was soul therapy.
Several years ago my husband and I were on an anniversary getaway. I was wrestling to surrender and trust God in an area He was laying His finger on. I asked God for a tangible sign that He was with me in the journey-specifically a large intact seashell. On the morning we were leaving, we saw a huge shell tumbling in the surf. It has been my “God is with me; He sees” shell ever since.
my hammock, under any leaf-ed tree is my symbol Divine Rest. (And I’m so puffing eager to take up your book into my hands!)
My audio Bible app, in this stage of toddlers and painful church issues, a desperation for God to speak but difficulty in sitting long enough to ponder, has been life giving. He showed up in Galatians and Malachi and surprised me.
When we alwere on our trip things kept going “wrong” but we ended up getting the better end of the deal every time. I just felt so cared for and felt deeply that God wanted me to be so refreshed and rejuvenated after it. It was a magical experience like I never had before!
Birds! Birds became a symbol of God’s protection and peace for me years ago in the aftermath of my shattered health.
When a door firmly closed, another opened to something far better than I was expecting. The journey hasn’t been easy, but to sit still and see where God leads is truly amazing! Sometimes it’s the look back that shows how far you’ve come!
Today my 4 yr old daughter begged me to come to her tea party. I decided the “important” things can wait. She politely told me how she baked the cupcakes and where she bought the tea pot. We had a lovely time n she was so innocently beautiful. He kindness reminded me of God’s good gifts.
Our home was clearly provided by God in His timing when we desperately needed it. Living in it is a great way to be reminded often of this blessing.
My trees. I have planted so many trees the last few years. So many of them I think have died when rabbits eat them, or they freeze or the deer use them to polish antlers. And then they come back. And are fine. They just grow extra stems for the rabbits this time. I’m learning not to give up on them, and to trust that God’s made them (and me!) strong.
Streams in the desert.
A blessing to us was a house opening up on the street behind our house that was purchased for our parents (at a great price!). They were ready to downsize and this nearly new house (after sitting empty for a year) hit our radar right after the price had dropped (again). We got them moved in and a year later Daddy went to be with Jesus. My mom can still live independently but she’s close enough to walk to but enough trees between to have privacy for both of us.
Campfires in the summer and a fire in the fireplace during winter. It’s a time to gather at end of a long day but here, now, my family is together and all is right with the world. God is Gracious.
It all falling into place to buy a plane ticket to see my family….God cares about giving us hope and something to look forward to!
Heart shaped rocks are the souvenirs I collect wherever I go.. always a reminder that He is my rock and my salvation.
A teardrop prism dancing in the sunlight.
After many setbacks and discouragements on our adoption journey- a kind, gracious, Christian social worker has been such a blessing to me.
For me it’s some fresh cut flowers in all of their glorious impracticality.
God repeatedly lets me see a shooting star just when I need to hear an “I love you” from Him!
An impromptu drink on the front porch with a friend when 2 other friends also stopped in for random visits. We all had time to sit and all had been desiring a chat. Seemed like both human kindness and divine provision.
Volunteer sunflowers in my garden, just started to bloom. I picked a glorious one with giant leaves that I put in a vase to take to the church picnic tonight.
The stars on a clear night.
Once through a very difficult journey, my husband and I were encouraged to get away for a couple days. Dear church brothers reached out, and shared to the extent that our trip was paid! How unworthy we felt of such love and care!!! And very definitely, we felt God’s goodness and care through them!!!
Its amazing how small things like the person in the line in front of you paying for your order can brighten and bless your day! This has happened to me more than once! Or a caring friend in the time of struggle… you can’t put a price tag on that!
Looking forward to reading your book!
My sister’s family is visiting from TN, and thanks to my brother in law, I have a new bathroom floor tonight! So happy.. and it’s such a blessing!
A very vocal mocking bird who has been singing around our place day and night. I get irritated when his singing hinders sleep but the cheerful music is therapeutic in tough trauma parenting days.
Tonight the moon is beautiful, big and bright! During the day, the white, puffy clouds floating in a perfectly clear, blue sky all speak of my Creator who provides all this beauty!
This is MY FATHER’S WORLD!!
O let me nere forget,
That tho the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet!!
This is my Father’s world,
The battle is not done,
Jesus, who died, shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heaven be one!
Wild roses and honeysuckle in mass profusion along our road…fragrance and abundance beyond words.
A sister bringing a delicious home cooked meal during crazy busy greenhouse season so my family could actually sit down to a normal meal and not have to grab whatever we could find….
A little getaway, just for the day, with two of my best friends. The sweet time of encouragement and laughter and memory making was just what I needed!
A beautiful meadow with weeping willows and a stream- the perfect place to connect with God while alone for an hour.
Frogs. Because of the acronym Fully Rely On God
Love that!????
Rain…. Warm refreshing rain pouring down as I turn my face upwards. It’s a reminder that God washes me clean and pours out “showers of blessings”, I just need to stand in the flow.
Rainbows…… I have been amazed how many times they have showed up at critical points in my personal journey. Too many times to be coincidental!! Times of uncertainty, hopelessness, crises of faith….. How the quiet constancy of the cycles of nature spoke so personally to me is a marvel that both humbles and strengthens me!
The lowly penny…and the inscribed words “in God we trust” Many times I have found a dropped penny. In parking lots. In grocery stores. In unexpected places. Sometimes the penny is shiny. Sometimes it is dull and grimy with age. But always I stoop pick it up and say “in God we trust.” Many times this happens in times of need. Other times it’s a day brighter. But always my heart is turned to God, and I am grateful for the reminder that He knows me. He cares.
My preteen boys pausing to hold the door open for me… I know, I know – this should be a deeply ingrained, trained in habit; but it just doesn’t seem to come naturally and it always warms my heart when they do it voluntarily.
My friend going above and beyond to prepare a meal for us while I had some dietary restrictions for the needs of my baby. I felt so seen and loved.
Squirt and fruit! 🙂 My favorite story from my childhood about God’s provision happened when I was a teenager, maybe 15 or 16. My dad was a pastor, and sometimes that meant tough financial times for us growing up. At one particular rough patch, we had buckled down to just purchasing the bare necessities. That meant no pop (soda) for my dad, who loved Squirt. (I don’t even know if they still make that kind of pop!) It also meant no expensive fruit for my sister (like kiwi or raspberries.) I distinctly remember a family prayer time during this rough patch when my mom asked the Lord to provide abundantly above what we could ask or imagine. Somehow, that week, an unopened and undamaged 2 liter of Squirt literally rolled down our driveway. I don’t remember who found it, but I remember my mom crying and laughing and thanking the Lord. It was silly – we didn’t need it – but it was such a gift to know the Lord cared about even little things. (We surmised that, if an angel hadn’t brought it directly, maybe someone’s groceries were in the back of their truck and it rolled out.) Then, within a day or two of that amazing gift, our neighbors had a big party of some sort and had all kinds of amazing fruit leftover. They didn’t want it to go bad, so they gave it to us – and it included all of my sister’s favorites, like kiwi and raspberries. God doesn’t always provide exactly what we want, but these two moments solidified in my mind that He certainly does provide what we need and KNOWS what we want. 🙂
Working with hurting people can be stressful and the grief and pain of losing a child sometimes just can feel like a burden too great to bear. My husband i felt overwhelmed with life. That is when our churched stepped in and sent us away for a weekend to an air bnb along a lake. They took over any responsibilities we had to make it possible as well as sent food along to feed us. We were blessed beyond words. God met us in such a beautiful way, through our church family, in our spiritual valley.
Oh, it’s so encouraging to read these!! Last week I told my husband I was longing for a hammock. Within the next day or two as I put in my grocery order, I noticed they had pretty hammocks for a low price and my man said, “Get it!” So I’ve been enjoying it with my children and basking in God’s thoughtfulness.
A pomegranate.
My baby holding tightly to my fingers. A tangible and nearly daily reminder portraying how I can cling to my Father.
Sunrise, a bird’s song, a lost feather
A question instead of a comment–you’re only selling directly to local buyers? I’ve been planning for a year to order an autographed copy from you!
Oh dear. I’m very sorry. I’m just not up for the shipping of books, and all that would entail for me. If I change my mind, I will let you know! Or you could host an event I’ll travel to. 😉 😉
No problem, Shari. I’ll just have to rearrange my mind and order off that impersonal Amazon after all. If the tables were reversed I wouldn’t want the hassle of shipping orders either!
It always feels so funky to me to admit this, but I’m 27 and I’ve never bought myself body wash. As a teacher, I can’t always afford the luxuries, but thanks to the gifts of other people, I always have a stash of great-smelling body wash or soap on hand. Currently, I have enough to last for the next 2 years or more.
An answered prayer!!!
Trees against the sky. Bare black limbs outlined with dusky twilight. Full green leaf on summer blue. Darkly distant rows on a misty rainy morning. Beauty in every season.
Congratulations Shari! I’m gonna confess, when no was is looking, I eat peanut butter out of the container. And it must be Jif peanut butter.
Many years ago when our family was going through a rough time we had this “angel” who would leave groceries, school and craft supplies etc on our porch swing. Well one time, I had gone to the store because I needed a few things including black pepper. Well I had gotten everything but black pepper. I’m sure everyone can relate to going to the market for one thing but leave the store with everything but one you originally went there for. Anyway, the next morning our angel again left us groceries, more craft supplies and at the bottom in one of the bags was a can of black pepper! No salt which I already had plenty of. But black pepper. I told my husband our house was bugged. To this day, I don’t know who this angel is. My girls found out accidentally because one of het children spilled the beans and my daughters, who are now adults won’t tell me.
Earlier this summer I admitted to a neighbor lady that I was having a hrd day. Later that same day she came by with a beautiful blooming hanging basket for me – now a constant reminder to me of God caring for me thru my “with skin” friends!
Sunsets and sunrises, coffee with a friend, mountains.
An encouraging, happy phone call from a random friend on a very hard day when I needed to feel that Jesus loves me, and that the decisions we’d had to make regarding our future were the right ones. There have been hard days since, but remembering that conversation has helped those days be better than that day was.
Friends who bring cookies, flowers, and a hug, and who listen with sympathy, good advice, and tissues at a major life change.
The waves on the beach…a symbol of Gods sovereignty and power
Just this morning, as I was busy scurrying about and trying to get everything lined up for my day, my kitchen window was open. What seemed just outside the window, there were birds just a singing away. I could not see them, as they were hidden in the trees. But I took a moment and thanked God for sending birds with a cheery song for me this morning.
“If God so loves the little birds, I know He loves me too.”
Last fall I was sick for 10 days with strept throat. I felt so alone and away from my family. My husband did a great job of cooking and laundry and meeting my needs, but the days got long. I received some heavenly hugs by a bouquet of flowers delivered from my sister and a friend had a late birthday gift of groceries delivered to my door….complete with some yummy soups which is exactly what u want when you’re sick. ????
“ Sugarloaf Mountain“ right outside my kitchen window reminds me countless times of where my help comes from… I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills… My help cometh from the Lord!
A spiderweb. Tho I don’t really like spiders! One morning I was wrestling with something we’d been praying about and it seemed God didn’t care. I got up to make breakfast and saw the sun shining on a perfect spiderweb. God spoke to me, ‘if I put it in a little spider to make a web, I care about the little things in your life.’
A sunrise and it’s reflection on the water felt like God’s gift to me in the morning.
I always feel so blessed on a winter morning when I am getting ready to leave for school and I find my windshield already scraped clean for me! God has blessed me with a wonderful dad and family!
My husband’s kindness and patience blesses and humbles me again and again. I get all ruffled and worked up about something and spit out hard words…. and he loves me still. I marvel how God’s prefect LOVE works thru two very imperfect humans to create a relationship that models His own relationship with His Bride… Incredible.
The other day I offered to babysit 3 little girls for a friend and they brought takeout for supper. Very special!
Thank you, Shari, for inviting people to share on such an encouraging topic!
A few years ago my husband was unable to work, and I was pregnant, and we were also going through a difficult change in churches. People from both the church we were leaving and the church we were joining helped us with food, clothes and other practical help. Such a sign of God’s care! The Lord even blessed me with His sense of humor: I asked Him for our daily bread, “But,” I said, “can I please have meat because I can’t eat bread?” (I was on a low-carb diet during this pregnancy.) We had sufficient meat during that time, but I actually foraged for greens because I needed more vegetables. ????
God brought us through, and my husband is well again, and the child we didn’t plan for has been a much-loved gift of God. Now the Lord is leading us into greater paths of trust and faith, and I’m excited to see what He does. Amen.
One of my recent reminders of divine provision, is… YOU, joining the El Roi team. ???? Still in awe of the lovely, gifted ladies who are God’s answers to my long time prayer.
My children symbolize divine provision to me, not only because they were prayed for, but also because they daily show me God as well as my great need for Him in every moment.
When your heart feels stormy and ravaged by so much s.t.u.f.f You get to hold a sweet sleeping baby; a child comes and hugs and kisses you, and says, I love you grandma…..just because.
Oh. I also received a sweet note and a few tea bags in the mail. A first for me and it meant so much.
In a particularly scary/trying time in my life (oh yes, the year of 2020 was an interesting one all right!) as an eighteen year old I went on a walk. It was a prayer walk, one that I poured out those fears and asked God to take care of them for me. I had my head down and I noticed a rock glinting in the sunshine. A fools gold rock, perfectly covered and shiny. As a younger child I always enjoyed looking for them endlessly, working hard till a found a few coveted rocks were added to my collection.
I picked it up and wondered, wondered if God hadn’t laid it on my path. A verse popped into my head and cemented there, ‘But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.’
A few steps further and another rock shone up at me.
I kept those stones, stones that symbolize God’s love, faithfulness, and His everlasting kindness to us little humans when life seems out of control.
I am so blessed.
And also, I have long been convicted by my lurker status, per your lovely words about such individuals. =)
I immensely enjoy reading your blog .. as a young person that loves reading and learning from other peoples quest for truth.
Friends.. Just speaking God’s promises to me when I’m struggling.
flowers!
Just last week, we had the miracle of an adoption date for our two grandsons, that we have been postponing our return to Asia to attend. It is a miracle indeed in the slow grind of legal matters, not to mention Covid. And the icing on the cake is that just when this case came up they opened the courts again for guests, so we can be there ‘in person’!! God is so good and kind and faithful. I would love a signed copy to take home with me to Thailand and share with all the young moms there.
A bar of dark chocolate from a friend, when my last bar got finished.
God sends butterflies to remind me he is there.
The brand new leaves budding forth from my favorite Monstera plant give me hope of new life and serve as a reminder of the growth that God wants to do in and through me.
The gift and blessings in healthy minds and bodies, that I so often take for granted. God’s unchanging mercy and love.
The unexpected times when my husband and/or children give me flowers.
P.S. I’ve been greatly blessed in reading your blogs Shari! May Christ
Continue to bless your life!
After multiple miscarriages and trying everything the doctors suggested, I felt panicky when I realized I might be pregnant again! The words that came to my head the next moment were “the Lord will provide”. I didn’t know what those words meant exactly, but i clung to them through the next months of uncertainty! And I am still amazed daily by the miracle of feeling life kicking within me again!
When a place/piece of property opened up to move closer to church family and to the church at a time that we felt God’s hand in it all.
Again and again, God kindly and gently provides me with well-timed direction, encouragement, or chastisement via a podcast, Scripture, book, friend’s words, etc. I also love the colors in nature–sunsets, flowers, fruit & vegetables–that show off His creativity!
I’m eagerly looking forward to reading a hard copy of your book, Shari! 🙂
I dreamed of having a Newfoundland but couldn’t afford it because of my salary. Then, through my mom’s “random” choice to look at Craigslist in a different county, I was blessed with a sweet dog, for a fraction of the normal price, right before everything shut down for Covid. He is such a God-send!
We were trying to finish up with several projects at work and had had multiple hurdles. The final straw was when the UPS truck went flying by instead of bringing the needed package. In my mind I began trying to come up with plan B. And then contrary to normal the UPS stopped on his way back out the road. My eyes were full, and I felt like God was saying, “O you of little faith.” God’s love and His care for the details seemed so real that day.
The sun on my face soothes me like nothing else. It’s like God is sending me energy and love to recharge my batteries.
Recently a friend gave my husband and i paid trip.
A gift of money to go out for dinner one evening. Such a generous gift, that we were able to invite 3 friends along and pay for their meal too. Such a lovely oasis in the middle of some hard church times.
So many gifts of food left in my car during the busy week and a half of teaching Bible School…they have been such a blessing and help!
Seeing God at work in my child’s life.
Encouraging words and prayers of a friend during a very difficult time.
These comments are so encouraging! Several symbols of provision and kindness – a child conceived during a dark time of inner and outer chaos and struggle and self-doubt. Also during that time, an exercise done with our team in which each person wrote something they appreciate about each of the other team members. I still have that paper in my Bible – always a reminder of how loved I felt when it seemed my world was coming apart.
When people voluntarily prepare food that I can eat, gluten and dairy free. It means so much to be remembered.
Light. I am so grateful to live where the sun shines often. And my house is built to maximize natural light, especially during the winter when the sun is low in the sky. There are big windows in the south wall, half of them slanted east to catch the morning sunlight, and half of them slanted west to catch the afternoon light.
Plus, yesterday I left my purse in my shopping cart and came back for it maybe ten or fifteen minutes later. An employee had put it in safe keeping at the service desk. My credit card and driver’s license were still there (and as far as I know everything else). Such a gift!
The soft sound of a mourning dove outside the bedroom window when my baby and I were trying to get much wanted sleep.
Divine provision: we raised a litter of expensive puppies. One mysteriously got injured at 7 wks old. It hadn’t sold yet either. We had to take the pup in the house and baby it carefully till it was better, which took a good month. We of course fell in love with it. I revived my dream of training a therapy dog. What I didn’t figure in was how it would first of all be healing for my drained life. He is beautiful and I pray he will be a blessing to many.
Of much greater importance, our child’s birth mom has drastically switched gears and is trying to be understanding why she doesn’t want much contact with her and not being pushy. It feels like Divine Intervention…
It is astonishingly difficult to take you literally and respond with only ONE thing. 😀 “Timely words”.
A close friends hug & understanding ear during a very difficult time earlier this year. Flowers & crazy as it sounds being able to pull weeds in my garden and meditate on life & God & how blessed we are
The stretch of road where my husband’s life was supernaturally spared in a dangerous situation, several years before I met him. God knew I needed him.
Three small pats on my hand from my toddler. After a crazy day of fast-pacing, mind-racing, those sweet little pats provide a monumental reminder for me to put the brakes on and thank God for the blessing of our children.
Our twins; they brought so much joy to us as we walked through a very difficult time. One baby would have been wonderful, but two brought such a different and added dimension. The fact that I was already pg with them before our world was blown apart; has always been an affirmation of how God does provides. Sometimes He even provides before we have a need.
One year on my birthday during a church change, I was struggling with doubts and discouragement. A friend called and asked if I was home. Her and some my other friends pulled together an impromptu tea party. So special and fun!
Life in a seed
When we had a house fire 5 years ago, we were blessed with many acts of kindness, a fully furnished house to live in(at no cost) until our house was liveable again. Many delicious meals,gifts, hours of labor helping to rebuild & paint etc. And most of all,the prayers, we felt carried by those prayers. Huge blessings!
My neighbor dropped off a freshly made loaf of homemade bread yesterday, for no reason! It paired SO well with my fresh strawberry jam that was still warm on the countertop. It was such a good reminder to do small things to bless people!
A symbol of human kindness? Peonies on the windowsill from my prayer sister
Just yesterday a friend text and wanted to meet for lunch. It was special to catch up again. N she even paid for my meal.
Sunshine, good relationships with family, the blessing of grocery shopping and being able to choose what I need for my family. A few things in my week to be oh so grateful for.
Words. Hard-to-utter words. That bring healing.
Tears. That flow into the achingness of breaking hearts.
And GRACE.
Grace to say, “I’m sorry.”
And
“Let’s try again.”
All because of the goodness of the Father.
I have been a silent reader of this blog for many, many days.
It is my favorite, for I love words. To play with them. And feel them. Deeply. As you do Sharri.
I cannot wait to experience the words of Peanut Butter & Dragon Wings!
*Shari :-\/\/
In 2013 we were getting ready to go to Ukraine for an indefinite length of time. We had 5 children, ages 11-1. The morning we left (you know how it is, all that last minute stuff to do, children following you around and asking how soon we’re leaving, emotions raw…) our neighbor lady dropped in and sat outside with the children, talking to them and I don’t know what all. I don’t even know if I ever noticed when she left. But that has always been a warm remembrance, like an angel stopping in. In fact, I still tear up whenever I think of it!
The extravagant beauty in an otherwise ordinary day….
The pink glow of sunrise
Melody of a whip- poor- will
Folks who use their gifts
Exquisite fragrance of honeysuckle
A gentle soaking rain
Kindness from a stranger
Freshly baked sourdough
A child’s arms wrapped around…
The ‘corn people ‘ growing vigorously in my garden.
My husband’s thoughtfulness
Sunflower faces
Line dryed laundry
Freckles
God’s timing
Divine provision drenching are lives
This past April my husband and I were privileged to go to Kenya and visit our daughter who is serving there!!! Plus one of my favorite pastors as a youth growing up we’re there as well! Him and his wife. That was just an extra special hug from God! We were also privileged to
have a sweet christian worker help us on our way over during our layover in Ghana! Later we received a
sweet email from her.
One of the richest blessings in life is when my children choose to serve the Lord. I’m so looking forward to reading your book Shari!
Last week my guest saw how tired and worn out my pg body was and insisted I go take a nap while she watched my kiddos and hers. Her gracious kindness still makes me nearly cry when I think of that morning.
After my last child was born, my niece paid a young lady to help me for 4 hours a week. It was the best gift that could’ve been given at that moment…what a gift from God who knows our needs!
Divine intervention and human kindness in one: awhile ago I was having a busy and stressful week preparing for guests, and a friend who didn’t even know about it dropped off some food for us. ????
My husband getting up early with our baby morning after morning so I can get a few extra precious moments of sleep.
Four giant boxes of flowers from Walmart are my favorite God story. Last year during quarantine, I wanted something to make contact with my neighbors. I thought of cookies, or bread, but you wouldn’t believe how many people turn down food offers. One day I thought, “Surely no one would refuse flowers!” I don’t even think I prayed about it, because living in the city makes flowers hard to find. It felt like an impossibility.
Two days later a man from our church who worked at a local food bank called and asked if I wanted flowers. I was shocked. When I went to pick them up, there were four huge boxes brimming with blossoms. We made over thirty bouquets. It reminded me – again- that God cares about our heart’s desires as much as our need for daily bread.
The star Vega. It always shines through the clouds when I need it most.
God pointing out certain verses in the Bible or having me hear certain things when I need them most…birthday cards and gifts…cute little kittens…every day is a gift!
Fresh green beans and the slower pace of summer.
During the long years of dealing with infertility and waiting for our first baby through adoption, Mother’s Day was hard. One Mother’s Day after escaping the church service, I found a mug of chocolates and a “thinking of you” note from a friend in the car. It blesses me every time I think of it!
The loud clap of thunder in a dark night. I lay between two small (scared) boys in their bed and said ahhh I so like that booming. It sounds like God is big and powerful and in control…