Letters from the Farm: A Simple Path for a Deeper Spiritual Life

by Becca Stevens

Becca Stevens extolls the power of love in this inspirational collection of letters. Letters from the Farm describes a faith that strives for justice and peace through loving our neighbors. It began with the simple hope that love can help in the community. That hope led to a social enterprise called Thistle Farm and that led to learning that we reap a hundredfold the seeds that are sown into a loving community. Accompanying each letter is a verse of Scripture and some questions for reflection so that this book can be used as a devotional guide, as well as a piece to inspire you in your faith and life. “Becca Stevens has written a beautiful book demonstrating the power of God’s healing love.”―Jane Shaw, Dean for Religious Life and Professor of Religious Studies, Stanford University

Genres: Spirituality

160 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2015

About the author

Becca Stevens is an author, speaker, priest, social entrepreneur, founder and president of Thistle Farms. After experiencing the death of her father and subsequent child abuse when she was 5, Becca longed to open a sanctuary for survivors offering a loving community. In 1997, five women who had experienced trafficking, violence, and addiction were welcomed home.

Twenty years later, the organization continues to welcome women with free residence hat provide housing, medical care, therapy and education for two years. Residents and graduates earn income through one of four social enterprises. The Global Market of Thistle Farms helps employ more than 1,800 women worldwide, and the national network has more than 40 sister communities.

Becca has been featured in the New York Times, on ABC World News and PR, was recently named a 2016 CNN Hero and a White House “Champion of Change." She was featured in the PBS documentary, A Path Appears, named Humanitarian of the Year by the Small Business Council of America and inducted into the Tennessee Women’s Hall of Fame. Stevens attended the University of the South and Vanderbilt Divinity School. She has been conferred 2 honorary doctorates.

Reviews

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love heals. In these short essays, Stevens shares stories of women transformed by their lives at Thistle Farms in Nashville. More, she reveals in these reflections the deep theology of love that motivates her ministry with and for women who have survived rape, prostitution, abuse and addiction, and how they too become engines of love and transformation. This is a book to dip into rather than to read straight through. I promise that in any page you will find inspiration. Seeded with reflection questions after each "letter," It would also be ripe for group reading and discussion. Share the love -- oh, and buy the balms, oils, teas and other natural products that support the work of Thistle Farms!

[David Hutchens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, sensitive writing from the author, filled with wisdom and grace. One of my favorites from Stevens.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read “Letters from the Farm” as a daily devotion. Becca, an Episcopal priest and founder of www.thistlefarms.org, takes us along her travels to social enterprises who work with the women at Thistle Farms. She invites us to take moments in our lives to draw near to the nature around us and to live with a heart of gratitude. Her words were like a calming balm. A joyful read.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the storytelling and messages of advocacy and action toward justice. The litany at the end is beautiful.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing and powerful. I've read several of Rev. Becca Steven's books, and I think this is my favorite. The format is a series of letters, and I read one as a devotional each day for several months.