Rhythms of Growth - Linda Douty

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      To my husband,

      Walter Mischke

      whose deep love and kindness continue to enchant me . . .

      RHYTHMS OF GROWTH: 365 MEDITATIONS TO NURTURE THE SOUL

      Copyright © 2014 by Linda Douty

      All rights reserved.

      No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information, write Upper Room Books, 1908 Grand Avenue, Nashville, TN 37212.

      Upper Room Books website: books.upperroom.org

      UPPER ROOM®, UPPER ROOM BOOKS®, and design logos are trademarks owned by The Upper Room®, a ministry of GBOD®, Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved.

      All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

      Scripture quotations not otherwise noted are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

      Scripture designated THE MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

      Cover image: © DeepGreen / Shutterstock.com

      Illustrations for July and October: Michael C. McGuire, settingPace

      Other month illustrations: Jane Wageman

      Cover design: Left Coast Design, Portland, OR / www.lcoast.com

      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

      Douty, Linda.

      Rhythms of growth : 365 meditations to nurture your soul / Linda Douty.

      pages cm

      ISBN 978-0-8358-1351-8 (print) —ISBN 978-0-8358-1352-5 (mobi) —ISBN 978-0-8358-1353-2 (epub)

      1. Devotional calendars. I. Title.

      BV4811.D627 2014

      242’.2--dc23

      2014010106

      Printed in the United States of America

      CONTENTS

       April

       April Showers

       May

       The Garden Grows

       June

       Tending the Growth

       July

       The Fruit Forms

       August

       A Change of Pace

       September

       Letting Go with the Leaves

       October

       Living in Full Color

       November

       Aspects of Appreciation

       December

       New Birth

       Notes

      This lengthy book was a big hill to climb, and I owe much to those who hung in there through every step. Not many people choose to evaluate 365 meditations with their thinking caps on and a red pencil at the ready! My three loyal readers—Steve Mischke, Anita Fletcher, and Walter Mischke—did just that, taking one month at a time and never flagging in their astute suggestions and “Atta-girls.” Their puzzlements yielded greater clarity; their comments enriched the content; their devotion to truth prompted deeper explanations. I hardly know how to express my gratitude. I owe them an unpayable debt.

      Hugs and gratitude all around to my wonderful friends who tolerated both my enthusiasm and my occasional whining and pried me loose from my writing blocks with various versions of “You can do this!” I appreciate every pithy remark, every brilliant idea, and every kick in the backside. You know who you are and what you mean to me. Your support and encouragement kept me company in my lonely office.

      I gleaned the bulk of the wisdom in this book from sessions with clients in my spiritual guidance practice over the past eighteen years. As they allowed me to companion them on their spiritual journeys, I watched their own rhythms of growth unfold. Those hours of sharing provided many of the insights in these pages.

      Thanks to the talented team at Upper Room Books, a group of dedicated professionals and tireless cheerleaders. Together, they brought order out of chaos and confidence out of discouragement. They were always ready to respond to a phone call, reply to a panicky e-mail, and answer my questions. Besides, they are endlessly kind.

      If there were such a thing as a hug in print, it would go to Upper Room’s Editorial Director, Jeannie Crawford-Lee, who believed in the project from the beginning and helped me mold the concept into a reasonable shape. What a friend and ally you are.

      Special kudos go to Rita Collett, editor extraordinaire, who patiently worked with my offbeat style and edgy theology and rendered it readable and acceptable. A friend to both writer and reader, Rita embodies the dynamite combination of keen intellect and a warm heart—everyone involved benefits from her expertise.

      Most of all, it was Walter who smoothed out the rough places. My long-suffering husband cooked meals, cleaned the house, and picked up all the balls I dropped. When I felt overwhelmed, he patiently altered plans at the drop of a hat with a smile (mostly) on his face. While I holed up in my office, churning out words, he lived a solo life for hours on end. And he never stopped rooting for me. What a guy. . . . I count myself as one very lucky woman.

      —LINDA DOUTY

      Strange how unrelated ideas can converge into an unlikely alliance. The first thread of thought introduced itself through the casual comment of a friend, “I wish you would write a book of daily reflections that connect spiritual wisdom to the messy life I’m living right now!” That thread intertwined with a second idea that had been rumbling in my head for a

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