When I was a teenager I attended gatherings of youth who were learning about the Bible and about knowing God. I loved the interchanges between leaders and learners, and found that hearing the ideas of others could set my heart on fire with a longing to know more. I was always a little embarrassed by the excitement that was stirred in my heart at those meetings–I didn’t really understand it. But recently I heard about a book entitled God in the Yard by L.L. Barkat. (thanks Paula) and once again, just thumbing through the book has me as eager as a teenager to get into it and “do it.” I’m just vaguely familiar with Barkat’s work, but I intend to find out lots more about her. I’ve seen her blog: www.seedlingsinstone.blogspot.com, and now I’m holding her book in hand. She’s a poet at heart, but also carries the weight of a philosopher and the soul of a mentor who knows how to invite another along for the journey without any hint of lecturing or heavy expectation. I love her book. I want to tell people I love about this book. I’ve only read Chapter One (Week One as this is a twelve week study) called Invitation. Barkat says in Chapter One, concerning a book she had ordered that greatly impacted her life, ” This suggests there is a divine librarian who puts things on hold at the library, for people who need a particular book at a particular time.” She explains that she is suspicious about such happenstances. I’m suspicious about finding this book right now as well, as it so clearly speaks to the needs of my heart today. I’m pretty sure that I can find God in my yard too.