Craving Connection ~ A New Book & Other Goodies {Review}

Thanks to the company that sponsored this review. I was not compensated beyond the review item. All opinions are my own. Others may have a different opinion or experience.

I think this one longing is a common thread throughout all of humanity. We have this built in need, this longing for community. We need others in our lives because alone is just too...well...lonely. 

For women, this is something that strikes a chord in a different way. We have all these emotions and thoughts and hormones running through us that make our need for community a little different than that of a man. Perhaps, you may be like me a bit? You may find that all the emotions and thoughts and hormones make this a bit scary, yah? 

{I've always been the type to tend toward one or 2 really good friends as my inner circle, of sorts. Women can be a tough group to be friendly with sometimes.}

I'm overwhelmingly grateful for Dayspring and their group called (in)Courage. This is a group of women who get it and help encourage me on a daily basis. Dayspring has gathered up some of the best blog posts and created a beautiful book called Craving Connection. In this book, live 30 different writings from 30 different authors. I found a takeaway in each one and believe any woman would be encouraged by the words shared here. 

At the end of each writing, there is a box of Connecting Questions along with a Connection Challenge and a Prayer. This is a beautiful way to take something I read and was inspired by and put it into action. But, yah, sometimes action is the hardest part. It's ok to do it imperfectly. Challenging ourselves to be better at community is worth the earnest but difficult and imperfect try.

Of course, Dayspring has some beautiful items themed around this book that make beautiful gifts for yourself and others. Think of it as the perfect excuse to shop with a "one for you, one for me" approach. You may even decide to read this book with a few close friends, encouraging each other as you go and gifting each other with all the things.

This beautiful mug not only holds a large cup of coffee, but it serves as a reminder to that heart of community. This is the perfect thing to pull out for visiting friends. 

The Wear-One, Share-One necklaces are a wonderful sentiment. Think back to the days of b.f.f. necklaces. This is a woman's version of that. They come in several different words but the idea is to wear it and pray for the person who is wearing the other one. There is even a scripture reference engraved on the back of it. 

I intentionally selected the word brave for this review. I gave the other one to a dear friend who is like a sister to me. There is just something so meaningful about thinking about the people you know and how you can specifically encourage them and then gifting something like this that lets them know you mean it when you say the passing "I'll pray for you". It's a kind of covenant necklace. And I know, it sounds a little deep to call it that. But listen. There's enough people who say those words in passing and never take the moment to be intentional about it.

Dayspring has also put together this beautiful Postcard book with encouraging phrases and scriptures on them. They are a simple way to send a quick note to someone who's been on your heart. And, y'all! These are like little pieces of artwork! An idea would be to give a followup gift to your postcard of a frame. A postcard can even be used as a gift tag. 

Call me old-fashioned, but there is something to be said for "snail-mail". It just brings a little sigh of relief to get something in the mailbox that is meant to be for you & isn't another person or business wanting something from you. 

Finally, there is the Clip Frame & Art Print Set. This frame is available in the 3 different finishes of Oak, Gray, & White. For this review, I chose gray and immediately fell in love with it. It ties in with my personal style perfectly while allowing me to change the art print I would like easily.

There is built in storage on the back of the frame. That is where 20 different art cards are housed. Maybe you'll choose a scripture to challenge you or remind you of a way you're trying to be the friend you'd like to have. Maybe you'll choose a inspirational quote that fits your present life perfectly.

The one I chose is pictured above. It says "I love my messy, stressful, over-the-top, beautiful life". Y'all, that is my now. A husband working many, many hours...even when he's not at work, a home in the midst of change as we anticipate foster care, 3 kiddos who keep me laughing but also keep me busy with all the things...and yet I love the gift of each moment I have here, in the now.

What will you choose for yourself and your friends? Let me encourage you. Begin with the book. Become the friend you want to have and along the way, buy a few of these visual reminders of the beauty in community.

~Amy