book on tap: cultivate

If you're tired of trying (and failing) to live up to impossible standards, then Cultivate: A Grace-Filled Guide to Growing an Intentional Life, is for you. It's an invitation to be a part of something more meaningful and intentional than chasing the seemingly perfect life. It's an invitation to believe that a flourishing life is possible, right where you are.
 
Written as part encouragement anthem and part practical guide, Cultivate, which comes out June 27, offers wisdom from God’s Word alongside lessons Lara has learned in her garden.

Cultivate is all about how to cultivate an intentional life. Like a garden, the life you want doesn't magically appear. It must be carefully tended over time: getting rid of weeds, watering the plants you want to grow, and acknowledging that there's a higher force than you at work. While we can prepare all we want, we eventually have to turn it all over to God, the Ultimate Gardener.

One of the most inspiring (and convicting!) chapters for me was Chapter 6, Grow In the Wait. Waiting is, for me, a particularly nasty four-letter word, and one that I seem to be doing a lot of lately. So I especially needed words like these:

This is a beautifully well-written book with clear writing, raw and honest personal anecdotes, and an inspiring message. My favorite parts, though, are the "Cultivate It" prompts - practical, applicable calls to action. They're peppered throughout the chapters, giving you a chance to stop, reflect, and act on what you just read while it's still fresh in your mind.
 
The book is written for women, although I think it's perfectly applicable to men, too, if they're interested. It's really for anyone who is tired of the noise of the world drowning out the life you want to live: intentional and focused on God, your people, and YOUR goals.

If you'd like to order your own copy, just go to laracasey.com/cultivate. You can preorder before June 26 to get receive the following six preorder freebies: 

• Cultivate Together leader guide
• Quick Start Video from Lara to help you in facilitating at Cultivate group study
• Gardening 101 e-book
• Citrus grove coloring page
• Goal-gardening worksheets
• Phone and computer backgrounds

Not sure if Cultivate is right for your season of life? (Spoiler alert: it is!) Read Lara’s blog post to dive into 10 common lies and truths to combat them and find the first three chapters of Cultivate to download for free.

The bottom line? I give this 5/5 stars. Lara wrote another great, truth-filled book that I am thrilled to have as a resource and guide.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a positive review.