Pay Attention

We are a gulping people —
A swallowing whole, planning the next mouthful before the bolus lands kind of people

We’re that way with our food, too.

Savor by Shauna Niequist is a daily flavor of the Word —
A slow down and think about it experience of considering one verse, one concept at a time.

Shauna describes the book as her “attempt at paying attention, at clearing away space and noise.”  To facilitate this focus, she has arranged her writing in 365 daily readings, each with a relevant scripture verse and followed by a question or suggestion to guide the reader’s thinking.  For example, Job 2:10 (“Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?”) leads Shauna to ponder the term bittersweet, to reflect on the idea that in all things “there is both something broken and something beautiful.”  Her pondering is velvet, and her conclusion is steel:

“When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate, and when life is bitter, say thank you and grow.”

Having thus whet the reader’s appetite for spiritual food, Shauna tantalizes the literal palette with twenty-one recipes from savory to sweet, sprinkled throughout the book, and accompanied by a story-behind-the-dish.  Personally, I intend to start out by trying Blueberry Yogurt Morning Cake as a delicious treat to savor with my family around the breakfast table.

Savor is like a greeting in the daily conversation with God.  Reading each day’s suggested verse in context will provide a more nourishing scriptural meal; recording meditations on the verses in a spiritual journal will allow the truth to digest; and bringing the daily thought forward into prayer and praxis will fortify faith and encourage growth.  The goodness of God is everywhere.  There is no profounder reason to enter into His creation — all the gifts He has bestowed — and to savor His grace wherever we find it.

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This book was provided by Zondervan through the Book Look Bloggers program in exchange for my honest review.