Friday, November 17, 2017

Book Review and Giveaway: Fragrant Whiffs Of Joy

I've been in a bit of a funk lately. Deep in my heart I've felt restless, wondering what my purpose is right here, right now. In the midst of it all, God's been silent. Well, maybe not exactly silent but He's been awfully, awfully quiet. Or, maybe if I'm really honest it's more that He keeps insisting on speaking a language that I don't want to hear. Multiple times in the past several months He has impressed on me that His big picture is so much bigger and different than mine.

Still, I find myself turning right around and looking at my life through my tiny little magnifying glass, seeing only the ugly little spot that it magnifies. Actually, maybe it's not even so much ugly, as it is boring.

"What do you want me to be doing these days, God?" I keep asking. "It feels like we're just sitting here, waiting for something. What is it?"

In the vast silence that follows, life goes on -- Dirty laundry piles up, hungry people expect food, bathrooms don't stay clean, sign up sheets at church need my name on them, obligations keep us busy.... and I offer to do things, like write a book review on my blog.

I am well known for saying I will do things and bemoaning the fact later. In the moment I always think of every reason to say yes. Incidentally, most of those reasons revolve around the idea that I should, more than that I want to. That is another subject for another day. Let's just say it is a trait that can be both good and detrimental.

So, anyway. A while back I offered to write a book review and host a giveaway on my blog for Dorcas Smucker's new book "Fragrant Whiffs Of Joy". I've written reviews for her last two books and giveaways are always fun, plus - I get a free book in the process, why not? But there is something about being in a funk that affects every other area of your life! The closer the time came to write the review, the less I felt like doing it.

Part of the problem was that I didn't actually have the book in my hand. Due to shipping complications, the books wouldn't be arriving until shortly before my day to post; I had a PDF copy to read but it's just different then holding a book in your hand. Added to that is the fact that this book is being reviewed by a whole line of bloggers on a "blog tour" and I am way down the line, which means every day I'm reading everyone else's creative descriptions of Dorcas Smucker's wonderful writing abilities. I like to be creative and original and there just wasn't much of that left.

The biggest part of the problem, though, was the whole God being so quiet thing. Why wasn't He talking to me lately? Or was He talking and I just wasn't hearing? Why did I keep coming back around to this same frustration when I had seen so clearly how He works in big pictures? And of all things, why had I agreed to write this crazy book review? Such a dumb little thing but oh, how it bugged me.

Wednesday I shook myself out of my funk and cleaned my bathroom, made granola and straightened up the house. Before it was time to pick up school children, I carried the trash out and made the trek down the hill to check the mail. There, lo and behold, was my package of books; one for me, one for my giveaway and one for me to do what I liked with.


I hurried back up the hill and checked my granola. With one eye on the clock, I flipped a book open and scanned down quickly over the page. I ended up reading the whole chapter and then I stood there with tears welling up in my eyes.


"... our kids have learned that you can have all kinds of new experiences, learn things you never knew, and even get a taste of wildness right where you are, in your daily dutiful life.

The key is in being willing to serve.

... you don't have to go to the corners of the world for interesting things to happen. Sometimes they're right in front of you and you don't realize it...

.... If you open your life to opportunities to serve, you never stop learning, and you never know what will happen next."

The whole chapter was basically God underlining exactly what He had been saying all along.

Tears spilled down my cheeks as I turned off the oven and grabbed my keys. Pausing in my dash out the door to grab my jacket and four year old son, my heart sobbed, "How do you do that, God? How do line everything up in an instant and speak straight to my heart in the most unexpected ways? Thank you, thank you!"

It's an odd book review, if you can even call it that, but God insists on speaking in ways that I never thought of so I think I'll go with taking a page out of His book this time.

Dorcas Smucker is a Mennonite pastor's wife and a mother of six who lives in a farmhouse in Oregon's Willamette Valley. She has written a newspaper column for 17 years and is the author of six books. In each chapter of these books you will find a monthly slice from Dorcas' life, originally published in the Eugene, Oregon 'Register-Guard'.

Dorcas' writing is always an inspiration. She has a unique ability to not only take note of the stories in the daily-ness of life, but to turn them into colorful, relatable life lessons. I love her descriptions and her candid, honest take on life.

"Fragrant Whiffs Of Joy" can be ordered directly through Dorcas Smucker at 31148 Substation Drive, Harrisburg, Oregon 97446. Books are $12 each plus $2 postage. Checks or PayPal accepted. It is also available on Amazon. If you have questions, contact Dorcas at dorcassmucker@gmail.com.

Before you run off an order yourself a copy, there's a chance you could get one for free (without even writing a review!) All you have to do is leave a comment telling me what small opportunity to serve you have said yes to lately. It doesn't have to be anything big or fancy -- it can be as simple as a yes to your toddler who begged for a story in the middle of your busy day. Mine would be saying yes to the idea of giving away a couple plates of cookies one day this week.

One week from today, November 24, I will draw a winner and send them their autographed copy of "Fragrant Whiffs Of Joy".

Ready, set, go........

48 comments:

Carla Clendenning said...

My great grandmother always said an act of kindness, no matter how small, can never be meaningless. Even minor displays of love can change lives for the better. At Riesbecks the other day an elderly lady in front of me was was going thru her purse looking for her check book and repeating “I’m so sorry” but had miss placed it so she was going to count out change and try and add the few dollers she had in her wallet to pay for her belongings I told the cashier to bag her stuff up and add it to mine. She cried and all most made me. The poor dear was shaking. I felt so bad for her. Then to the rolling eyes caisher I reminded her one day she would be of that age.

Gabrielle said...

Recently, I said "yes" to helping ESL students practice for their citizenship. I've learned so much through it!

Anonymous said...

Making a meal for a Mommy with a new baby... Faith H

Regina said...

As I sitting here trying to decide what to share, each one in my opinion sounded dumb. Then I realized, none of it was dumb. Each opportunity, I had to say yes to was important.
So my yes is we will be hosting a young lady the day after Thanksgiving. She has no family near by and we sort of "adopted" her last year when she came to our house for Thanksgiving with our oldest daughter. She been over a few times since then. Grace lives a couple of hours away and wants to spend the holiday weekend with us. It's such a delight to practice hospitality, something I severely lacked at our old house in CA.
This Thanksgiving though will be a little sad because our oldest daughter will be overseas on a missions trip and it will be sad for Grace too because they are such dear friends.
Anyway, thank you for saying yes to the giveaway. That's really sweet of you!

Beth said...

A yes to a phone call resulting in me just getting back from helping out an older lady who fell n was in rehab, n is transitioning to living by herself again. I think she will soon be independent again.

Mary Beth Martin said...

Teaching art class so a busy mom with many littles didn't need to..

Leah Escoto said...

Making 3 pumpkin pies for youth supper...

Unknown said...

My first thought was "I can't say yes to anything these days! I'm such a needy unhealthy person with limitations I resist daily!" But then you went on to say about reading book to child and then "Yes!" My 5 yr old son loves to soak up a story read over and over. I need to learn to see how important it is to be faithful in the small mundane life duties. I just can't perform these days like I wish I could. Bethany I wish you would post a new blog every day cause I think I check it about every day ☺ I have been blessed and challenged over and over! Blessings, Marlene

Verna said...

Making supper for a Thai exchange student and her parents tomorrow evening. Jls92vms@gmail.com

Betsy said...

My yes is saying yes to a woman at church on Sunday who came up to me and told me I needed to knit her granddaughter a hat and scarf by November 30 and no later please! She has a definite timeline. Her granddaughter is getting out of prison and has no warm weather clothing. After my first reaction of "how dare she tell me what to do at this so busy time of year", I thought, "what would Jesus say in this situation?" Maybe this will be the welcome back into the world she needs and a way of showing we care about her and her future. One, (or several), bad decisions a few years ago do not have to define her life.
Blessings,
Betsy
p.s. The scarf is almost finished and I'm still looking at hat patterns!

Anonymous said...

My chance to serve is truly my joy. I often watch my grandchildren, visit with my daughter on the phone who is lonely for adult conversation. (She has 3 under the age of 6)
This may not seem like serving but, we are working 3 businesses between my husband and I. There are many days I would like to say I don't have the time. But, I feel this is how God would have me serve. So, I say yes.
Beth Wagenius
twagenius@yahoo.com

Sue K. said...

My way to serve recently was taking a friend's place as kids church leader at the last minute. It did not go great I am sad to report, but she'd have done the same for me. I'd live to win as I need to complete my Smucker Collection!

Melinda Kornelsen said...

Saying yes to picking up my baby again, yes to giving my toddler another bottle of milk, yes to smiling even tho the day is rough, yes to believing that this stage is short��

Anonymous said...

Saying yes to reading my girls another book when I would have rather been doing something else.
Dorcas S
Dsiegrist2010@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Saying Yes to having my family here for Thanksgiving...

Anonymous said...

I said yes to making a meal for a new mother at church while I was also being mother's helper for a daughter with a newborn of her own! -Gwen

Anonymous said...

Yes to babysitting 3 small nephews for a day. Yes to letting my teenage daughter help 2 mothers this week. It's not easy, but I'm thankful for ways to bless others. I'm so eager to get a copy of that book!

Anonymous said...

All I am doing is sending a note of encouragement to someone undergoing Chemo . Should be doing more ...

So blessed by friends who have helped us during my husband's recovery for knee replacement . To God be the glory for his recuperation .

Anonymous said...

Saying yes to teaching preschool class for a few sundays to help out a busy mom!:) Tina
tina@zimmermanauto.biz

Christa Thrush said...

Babysitting two neighbor children, on the spur of the moment, besides the two little girls I babysit regularly, so their mom could make a trip to say goodbye to her deceased mother.

Anonymous said...

Saying "yes" to baking cookies that will feed hungry bear hunters. :) Would love to read this book! Wanda

Anonymous said...

Babysitting two neighbor children, on the spur of the moment, besides the two little girls I babysit regularly, so their mom could make a trip to say goodbye to her deceased mother.

Miller scribe said...

Helping cook & serve Thanksgiving supper for the community senior citizens. (Instead of going out to eat on our wedding anniversary.)

Anonymous said...

I said yes, to buying my mom a plane ticket to come visit us in Hawaii. She was here for my daughter's seventh birthday. She enjoyed getting to spend 10 days with her Nana, who she hadn't seen in over a year. I'm glad you said yes to the book review. I always enjoy your blog. Zuvers2009 at Yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Saying yes to hosting Thanksgiving Dinner because my husband wanted us to do it this year.

hearthkeeper said...

You mentioned that it could be something as simple as saying yes to a child, asking, "Mom, could you read to me?" and just like that, what should my four-year-old ask me?!! ;) I said, "In a minute!" and so I shall...and then it will be "yes" to grading school books, getting supper on the table, tidying up around the place. Some things don't require a formal "asking," they just present themselves, and we rally forth knowing our Heavenly Father sees it all!

Unknown said...

My husband is gone on business for two and a half weeks, we have 9 days left to go. I started out grandly, but the last two days have been oh so hard to find my joy. I want so much for this mom thing to not be sooo hard, and to reap some of the many seeds I am sowing. I want them to grow up and know that they won't be ruined by mistakes I make, and to not lose my patience with these preteen, starting to be hormonal oldest two. And so, I will heat some leftover soup for supper, grab a book and sit down to read a story with them and hug them close, when really what I want to do is hole up all by myself without hearing another MOM, or argument that needs to be settled. I know all about when my agenda and God's agenda differ. But I really do want His agenda, even if it calls for sacrifice, but the surrendering is hard at times.

Anonymous said...

I just came home and read this blog.. my act of service today was serving my friend by taking her children home after a homeschool day at our church building. I offered to bring them home and she was happy to let me.. She is planning a youth Thanksgiving supper at her house this evening so I know it was a blessing to her :) to not need to pick up her school aged children.
paramedicwife@yahoo.com

Katrina Martin said...

Like another commentor said, motherhood presents lots of opportunities to say yes to serving even though we may not be asked as such. This week I said yes to "rock me, mommy", to my sick little boys. Recently the Lord gave me a sweet personal reminder of how serving my little ones is really serving Jesus! How I need to keep that perspective.

Anonymous said...

Fixing a special snack for the children to eat outside on this lovely day.
Rosa
lbwillard@juno.com

Anonymous said...

I said yes to sewing dresses for some little girls whose mommy is very busy.
Okiesmiller@hotmail.com

Cheryl said...

I like to help with babysitting needs for church folks,family,and neighbours.

Quentin and Jane said...

Our daughter loves reading Dorcas's blogs and books and would really enjoy getting this book!:)This week she baked bread without being told to do it. You can reach me at hesscroft@gmail.com

Maria Wagler said...

I can totally identify with you about agreeing to do something then later wondering why in the world did I do that... I said yes to decorating a birthday cake for my friend.

Mary Ann Mast said...

Saying yes to standing beside my sister who's husband went on to glory on Thursday morning at the age of 45.

Unknown said...

I was putting a casserole together for supper when I realized I was making way more than my family would eat. So I got a smaller pan and made a casserole for one of my married daughters. She put it in the fridge for a day or two before she baked it. She had several sick, fussy children and was so glad she had something on hand to just pop in the oven.

Anonymous said...

helping my Japanese friend with her homework, baking cookies for friends as a thank you for their help, taking time to answer questions from those who have recently arrived here. These are moments of joy, even when at times they may seem like interruptions

Edith Lapp said...

I said "yes" to hosting a group of International students from the Athens college on Thanksgiving weekend. I'm trying to be okay with not knowing how many might come, how many meals I may need to make, and if they will want to spent the night... to not be 'afraid' of the conversations we may have!

Anonymous said...

Leading singing for the Cubbies at AWANA
SCARY!

kls1999@juno.con Kristy g

Anonymous said...

I am serving a prison ministry by helping with their read-a-thon.

Elizabeth Miller said...

Said yes to doing some tutoring in Language as a favor, and receiving the greater favor!

Anonymous said...

I read a story to my daughter today when I wanted to get countless other things done instead...
justinandmary@ebersolefamily.com

Unknown said...

Tonight I said yes to letting my son splash in the tub, making the water fly over the side and getting me all wet... instead of working on bookwork and redeeming the time spent watching him. It was fun, just still have the books to do and the dishes and the floors ...

Anonymous said...

Saying yes to fall cleaning a friend's house when my own needs it so badly....but it was a good time and I left feeling encouraged. Jo

Marnita Kornelsen said...

Saying yes to my children even when I am weary and sore from giving birth a week ago. My two year old needs me to show him that he's still important even though baby sister came and takes lots of mommy's attention.

Anonymous said...

Saying yes to the simple everyday things that children ask for- a story," COLD water with lots of ice please mom!" Or the mundane chores a family just expects moms to do- laundry, cooking, baking, etc. Choosing to be thankful this thanksgiving season- we are so blessed!
Regina @ regm88@icloud.com

Anonymous said...

Baking cookies for Thanksgiving box packing, babysitting my sister's children while they went to a wedding, teaching my daughter's preschool Sunday school class on short notice Sunday morning. -Yvonne

Linda W said...

Saying yes,and then second guessing my ability to fulfill...so familiar. This week I offered to take a meal to a family of 16 who lost their home in a fire.
In the midst of making applesauce , doing laundry, and managing my busy bunch, I questioned my sanity in offering to reach out to strangers when I barely get my own things done. But we did it and were blessed.