The Fig Tree A Lesson In Gratitude

'The Fig Tree' is a story about a little girl, Lydia, and her grandfather-who elegantly imparts a message of gratitude using the example of the backyard fig tree: 'Ms. Figgy.' As she returns home from a hard day at school, Lydia seeks the solace of her grandpa who is resting beneath the tree. Once she recounts the events of her day, Lydia's grandfather describes how he cares for the tree-likening its need for TLC to that provided to Lydia by her parents. As she listens, Lydia begins to forget about her own worries and instead takes notice of how Ms. Figgy has nurtured all sorts of critters with food and shelter throughout each season. And, with Grandpa's help, Lydia also reflects upon the many ways in which the tree has enhanced her own life since she was a baby. By illuminating the strength and majesty of the tree, Lydia begins to see it as so much more than just a tree. With its stunning illustrations, 'The Fig Tree' gives a young girl a new perspective on an old tree she had taken for granted; instead, seeing it through a lens of gratitude and wonder. Children will enjoy the artist's attention to detail while gaining an appreciation for nature, as well as the touching relationship between Lydia and her grandpa.

In Lessons From a Fig Tree, author Susan Dupré LaHaye compiles seven decades’ worth of collected prayers, poems, words of wisdom, and deep, personal spiritual explorations in a heartfelt expression of a long life well-lived. Telling the story of many a Cajun grandmother––past, present, and future—this memoir shares how LaHaye’s Bonne Famille Catholique lives the dream of rural “Cajuns,” loving their French heritage through music and food cooked in big pots, with the entire family living within six miles of her home on the Mamou prairie. It chronicles how she is guided by her Catholic faith, which she holds close to her heart and shares with everyone she meets. Through a compilation of essays that document revealing moments along her spiritual journey and her personal and professional life, LaHaye communicates hope, gratitude, and inner reflection that guides one to lasting, lifelong growth.

In this delightful and inspiring resource, we offer fifty prayerful reflection for the spiritual journey. These are original pieces by writers who, inspired by the Holy Spirit, have reflected deeply on Scripture and its meaning for daily life. Included writers are Amy Wellborn, Elizabeth-Anne Steward, Sr. Ruth Marlene Fox, OSB, Mitch Finley, Fr. Kenneth E. Grabner, Steve Givens, Sr. Joyce Rupp, OSM, Fr. M. Basil Pennington, OCSO, Kevin Perrotta, Karla Manternach, Sr. Macrina Wiederkehr, OSB, Sr. Melannie Svoboda, SND and many others. They share personal and prayerful reflections about everyday difficulties and achievements in their spiritual lives. These lovely vignettes move through the liturgical seasons of Advent, Lent, Easter, Special Days, and Ordinary Time. Each offers surprising insights about the power of faith and God's call to holiness through the ordinary actions and events of everyday life. This is a spiritual treasure and a wonderful gift book for all who strive to respond to God's word with open and grateful hearts.

A collection of daily devotional readings from Closer Walk magazine and the bestselling New International Version translation, written to help the reader develop a heart for God. Going through the entire New Testament in one year, these devotionals provide daily insights from great Christian leaders suce as A.B. Simpson, Charles Spurgeon, Peter Abelard, or Alexander McLaren.

Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude is a sustained meditation on that which goes away—loved ones, the seasons, the earth as we know it—that tries to find solace in the processes of the garden and the orchard. That is, this is a book that studies the wisdom of the garden and orchard, those places where all—death, sorrow, loss—is converted into what might, with patience, nourish us.