The Growing Season: A Year of Down-on-the-Farm Devotions

by Sarah Philpott

Overview

"Sarah has a voice that can speak to us all, and this book is a beautiful representation of her ability to just be real. After reading this book you’ll feel like she's your best friend."
—Jill Wagner, actress

Wisdom on Everything from the Soil to Your Soul

Farm life calls to the heart of every Christian, whether we experience it on daily walks through wide open spaces or in the country music we play while stuck in morning traffic. This is by God’s design—the cycle of trusting, sowing, and reaping mirrors our journey with Him.

With The Growing Season, you’ll witness how intricately farming and faith intertwine. Illuminated through the Bible’s truths and author Sarah Philpott’s own stories from life on a Tennessee cattle ranch, you’ll venture month by month and season by season towards relishing the splendor of God’s creation, realizing the need for you to trust Him in good times and bad, and rejoicing in the vision of abundance He has for you.

Packed with tips for baking, grilling, planting, and learning farm lingo, this collection of funny, moving, and inspiring insights will help keep you rooted in God’s desire for your life. Kick off your work boots, pour yourself a glass of sweet iced tea, and draw closer to your Creator as you celebrate His provision.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780736982788
Publisher:	Harvest House Publishers
Publication date:	10/12/2021
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 6.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Sarah Philpott is the ECPA Award-nominated author of Loved Baby: 31 Devotions Helping You Grieve and Cherish Your Child After Pregnancy Loss. She is also the founder of the Loved Baby pregnancy loss support group. You can visit with Sarah at allamericanmom.net, where she writes about her family, life on a cattle farm in the South, and learning to cherish God’s provisions in joy and sorrow.

Table of Contents

Introduction 7

Winter

Welcome Winter 11

New Life on the Farm 13

Welcome to the Farmhouse 17

Good Soil on the Farm 21

Light on the Farm 25

Lost on the Farm 29

Winter Wonderland on the Farm 33

Cattle Out! 37

Breaking Ground on the Farm 41

Spring

Welcome Spring 47

Planting on the Farm 49

Pruning on the Farm 53

Trucks on the Farm 57

Seeds on the Farm 61

Puddles on the Farm 65

Goats on the Farm 69

Bees on the Farm 73

Deep Roots on the Farm 77

Making Hay on the Farm 81

Rambo on the Farm 85

Picnics on the Farm 89

Bursting with Worship on the Farm 93

Summer

Welcome Summer 99

Fireflies on the Farm 101

Planting Pumpkins on the Farm 105

Heaven's Dew on the Farm 109

Blooming on the Farm 113

The Fourth on the Farm 117

Wildflowers on the Farm 121

Oh, Deere! 125

Bear on the Farm 131

Corn Shucking on the Farm 135

Getting Away from the Farm 139

Fowl on the Farm 143

Rest on the Farm 147

Fall

Welcome Fall 153

Apple Picking on the Farm 155

Fugitive on the Farm 159

Delayed Harvest on the Farm 163

Letting Go on the Farm 167

Spills on the Farm 171

Pumpkin Party on the Farm 175

Bulls on the Farm 179

Staying Present on the Farm 183

One-Room Schoolhouse on the Farm 187

Ducks on the Farm 191

Blessings on the Farm 195

Thanksgiving on the Farm 199

Royalty on the Farm 203

Christmas Trees on the Farm 207

Nativity on the Farm 211

Fallow Pasture on the Farm 215

Notes 220

Thanks, Y'all 222

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Chock-full of lively storytelling and faithful insights, sprinkled throughout with enticing recipes, this devotional is a delight for anyone embracing, or even simply curious about life on the homestead. A perfect gift for anyone whose heart beats for backyard chickens, quiet mornings on a porch swing, and the peaceful life.”
—Melissa Ferguson, bestselling author of The Cul-de-Sac War

“Reading The Growing Season was like walking down the dirt road to my neighbor’s house, settling in with a cuppa something, and having deep and meaningful conversations about the land, the family, the community, the Bible, and God. Basically a book of my favorite things.”
—Traci Rhoades, author of Not All Who Wander (Spiritually) Are Lost

“As a dairy farmer it’s rare to find others who truly understand the dance between working on the farm and worshiping on the farm. Sarah Philpott has done both. This is a wonderful book for other farm women while also introducing and sharing farm life with others who are far from the farm. There is no better place to find God’s miracles and live out his parables.”
—Diane Loew, AFarmWife.com

“The Growing Season is a beautiful invitation to slow down, get your hands dirty, and stay present for what’s really important in life: faith, family, and friends. The down-home recipes Sarah includes are exactly what’s needed to meld these three components together.”
—Jess Ronne, author of Sunlight Burning at Midnight and Blended with Grit and Grace

“Sarah Philpot has written a must-read seasonal devotional for anyone looking to draw closer to God as they curl up with a mug of hot cocoa to the serenity of life on the farm. She helped me look forward to my quiet time each week, while not stressing ove whether or no I missed a day of reading (during my busy days with three small children!). Be encouraged by the very thought that no matter what season of life you are in right now, it will change—and something beautiful is always on the horizon.”
—Kali Dawson, educator and writer at FaithFamilyFreelance.com

“In The Growing Season, Sarah Philpott quickly becomes a gal’s faithful, wise, and funny friend. She beautifully weaves soul-filling truth into the tapestry of everyday farm life, never forgetting to include threads of humor and wit. Philpott’s words will encourage every gal to live out her faith in every season, regardless of where she calls home.”
—Jenny Albers, author of Courageously Expecting

“Sarah Philpot’ The Growing Season gifts us a personal experience living on a Tennessee farm. Sarah invites us into each changing season with encouragement, prayer, and a viewpoint from God on the land and life that surrounds her. As you sit down to read it will feel like a conversation with a friend as Sarah paints a picture of each season with humor, biblical truth, and seasonal recipes. Though environments may differ, readers will relate to the connection of life experiences and God’s truths.”
—Stacey Tadlock, author of Faithfully Failing

“In The Growing Season, Sarah warmly invites us over to her family farm to experience life, beauty, and growth amidst God’s handiwork. Through endearing down-to-earth stories, exquisite photos, powerful Scriptures, and comforting recipes, you’ll be encouraged to slow down and experience the goodness of God all around you. You’ll be compelled to experience more of God in your life, in whatever season you find yourself.”
—Annie Boyd, coauthor of The Gathering Table and cofounder of TheGinghamApron.com

“Reading The Growing Season was like sipping a cup of coffee with friends on my old farmhouse porch. Sarah’s words brought comfort, nostalgia, and faith into this season of my life—and will for you as well.”
—Leslie Means, creator of Her View From Home

“Sarah makes you feel right at home on her family's farm. She metaphorically walks you through each season of the year, imparting biblical lessons along the way. Sarah’s warm and inviting tone makes her stories easy to relate to. Her simple exercises in Scripture reading and prayer in each chapter give short-on-time moms a meaningful, purposeful way to quiet our minds and invite in the loving messages of the Bible. You are going to close this book of devotions feeling encouraged and closer to God.”
—Michaela Gasseling, writer for Her View From Home, CowGirlBootsAndRunningShoes.com

“Sarah has a gift of making you feel like you just jumped into her truck on the farm as she warmly invites you onto her family’s cattle ranch and takes you on a beautiful journey through the seasons, intertwining farm living and God’s purpose for your life. The Growing Season is full of relatable and life-giving truths to encourage our roots to grow deeper into Him.”
—Amber Palmer, writer at My Jars of Clay

“The Growing Season brings such a country comfort that wraps you in a blanket of peace. Reading Sarah’s words felt like getting together with her during each season and receiving the godly, everyday encouragement I needed. As she invites you into her home and shares her heart and recipes, you’ll feel like you’re visiting with an old friend, and it’s a visit that you never want to end.”
—Lauren Eberspacher, author of Midnight Lullabies and the blog From Blacktop to Dirt Road

“Reading The Growing Season is like sitting in a friend’s kitchen enjoying a warm conversation and a hot cup of tea. It’s sweet, intimate, and stirs the spirit. It’s just what I need right now.”
—Ashley L. Jones, author of Modern Cast Iron

Editorial Reviews

Chock-full of lively storytelling and faithful insights, sprinkled throughout with enticing recipes, this devotional is a delight for anyone embracing, or even simply curious about life on the homestead. A perfect gift for anyone whose heart beats for backyard chickens, quiet mornings on a porch swing, and the peaceful life.”
—Melissa Ferguson, bestselling author of The Cul-de-Sac War

“Reading The Growing Season was like walking down the dirt road to my neighbor’s house, settling in with a cuppa something, and having deep and meaningful conversations about the land, the family, the community, the Bible, and God. Basically a book of my favorite things.”
—Traci Rhoades, author of Not All Who Wander (Spiritually) Are Lost

“As a dairy farmer it’s rare to find others who truly understand the dance between working on the farm and worshiping on the farm. Sarah Philpott has done both. This is a wonderful book for other farm women while also introducing and sharing farm life with others who are far from the farm. There is no better place to find God’s miracles and live out his parables.”
—Diane Loew, AFarmWife.com

“The Growing Season is a beautiful invitation to slow down, get your hands dirty, and stay present for what’s really important in life: faith, family, and friends. The down-home recipes Sarah includes are exactly what’s needed to meld these three components together.”
—Jess Ronne, author of Sunlight Burning at Midnight and Blended with Grit and Grace

“Sarah Philpot has written a must-read seasonal devotional for anyone looking to draw closer to God as they curl up with a mug of hot cocoa to the serenity of life on the farm. She helped me look forward to my quiet time each week, while not stressing ove whether or no I missed a day of reading (during my busy days with three small children!). Be encouraged by the very thought that no matter what season of life you are in right now, it will change—and something beautiful is always on the horizon.”
—Kali Dawson, educator and writer at FaithFamilyFreelance.com

“In The Growing Season, Sarah Philpott quickly becomes a gal’s faithful, wise, and funny friend. She beautifully weaves soul-filling truth into the tapestry of everyday farm life, never forgetting to include threads of humor and wit. Philpott’s words will encourage every gal to live out her faith in every season, regardless of where she calls home.”
—Jenny Albers, author of Courageously Expecting

“Sarah Philpot’ The Growing Season gifts us a personal experience living on a Tennessee farm. Sarah invites us into each changing season with encouragement, prayer, and a viewpoint from God on the land and life that surrounds her. As you sit down to read it will feel like a conversation with a friend as Sarah paints a picture of each season with humor, biblical truth, and seasonal recipes. Though environments may differ, readers will relate to the connection of life experiences and God’s truths.”
—Stacey Tadlock, author of Faithfully Failing

“In The Growing Season, Sarah warmly invites us over to her family farm to experience life, beauty, and growth amidst God’s handiwork. Through endearing down-to-earth stories, exquisite photos, powerful Scriptures, and comforting recipes, you’ll be encouraged to slow down and experience the goodness of God all around you. You’ll be compelled to experience more of God in your life, in whatever season you find yourself.”
—Annie Boyd, coauthor of The Gathering Table and cofounder of TheGinghamApron.com

From the Publisher