1. a glimpse + review
Happy release day to The Marigold in Me. This book is more special to me than anything I’ve ever written, even more than my debut book, because this project surrounds my favorite flower and thing on earth—marigolds. I can feel joy rising up in me writing this. Have you seen one before, friends? I hope you have. Because… Oh, they are so wonderful. They give off such a perfume and are uniquely beautiful in whichever way they are displayed—whether in a garden, a planter placed by the front door, or beneath windows in floating boxes.
the making of tmim (pt. 1)Through the years, I believed I understood why marigolds captivated me so. I figured it was simply because God created them, which is such an awe-inspiring thought in itself. Who can fully grasp that? God created everything in nature. He thought out every part of it, and He said it was good. Chris Tomlin said it so well. It’s definitely indescribable.
I never really thought about asking the Lord why He gave them a special place in my heart. That is, not until just before the release of ATL. I was seeking Him for the image that is now the logo for the A.M. Revere name and brand (with a teal metallic pen lying on top of it). From the very moment I desired to create an image, I knew it should be a marigold. But I was wanting to go a bit deeper and search for purpose and meaning. So, I conducted a Google search about the flower, and what I found brought immense clarity. You see, these flowers were created to grow and thrive in immense heat and pressure from the sun. I felt it so strongly. It was as if God Himself whispered in my ear, “THEY REMIND YOU OF MY CHARACTER.”
What a gift! Hint: if you read TMIM, you will understand what parts of His character I’m referring to. It was such a beautiful truth that I can’t fully put into words what that moment meant, though I’ll try my best. As my best friend Steph says, “It’s just our God doing what He does best—showing off.” I then began to understand things a lot more, even my own life and the season I was walking in. This book carries one important theme, which will be discussed next month, in our first devotional post titled, Even in This.
I’d like to apply this to you, friend. Is it possible that God is revealing Himself to you in your favorite thing? Maybe it’s a movie, a plant, or a color. Maybe a sunset, or a body of water. I bet that if you ask Him, you might find that joy-bringing thing is full of the Lord’s character and truth. If you’d like to share it with me, comment below what you find. And be on the lookout for part 2 in September’s post! :)
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review: as you goAs the first book review of the Merahgold, I’d like to start off strong with Tanner Olson and his ministry, Written to Speak. Friends, listen up. Before the review, I'd like to ask you to check it out. Google Tanner’s brand and books. Join this work.
I’m not sure of the exact moment I found Tanner, but all I know is that God’s hand was on it. When I first laid eyes on some of his writings, I was speechless. I thought something similar to, Wow, God. Look at You, because that’s what Tanner’s writings do: they cause you to fix your eyes on Him and recognize who He is.
I opened one of his books, As You Go: Words for the Unknown, in moments where I felt heavy and needing hope. I would read the pages in order. But sometimes, I would open to a random page and ask the Lord to speak. And the Heavenly Father would do just that without fail—He would meet me right there. Tanner’s book brought me the same hope I’ve always known - Jesus. But what touched my heart was how he introduced me to it, in a way I hadn’t experienced before.
Tanner’s style of writing is relevant, timely, and full of ways to apply faith to the everyday. With each piece, he encourages me to slow down and turn my eyes to the beauty found in the little things. This book, especially, is like a tap on the shoulder that says, “Hey, I know your life is crazy at times. But take a moment to reflect, slow down, and just breathe.”
One honorable mention reads,
step into it.
the unknown.
the uncertain.
the wilderness.
the dream.
and you’ll see
fear was never
a good enough reason
to keep you
from living free.
So beautiful, isn’t it? I normally don’t cry when reading a book, As You Go was an exception. Not a sorrowful one. But rather, because I felt heard, understood, and held. I come back to it occasionally because, to be honest, I want to just sit with it and take in the goodness of the Heavenly Father. I hope you will take advantage of it too.
Follow the Substack—Poems, Prayers, and Stories—and his YouTube channel.
And hold onto this one thing today.
Hope is here! And a reminder keeps it going.
that’s a wrap!If you like what you’re reading and want to know more, I encourage you to buy TMIM! Pick up this poetry book, TODAY, for only 4.99. I pray you enjoy it and that it touches your heart. :)
Thank you for reading today’s post! I am looking forward to going on this journey with you. God has great things in store. Don’t forget—come back next month for Part 2 and read our first devotional, Even in This.
Yours,
Merah
~ You are known. You are not forgotten. And you are loved by your Creator.~
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