“With the skill of a master gardener and the gentle hand of a friend, Rachel guides us through Mary’s path and garden to show us the seeds of wisdom and wonder that have been planted there all along. She then sows these truths deep into our hearts with a special blend of biblical knowledge, purposeful prayer, and real-life application."
— Keri Wilt, motivational speaker, writer, and Heart Cultivator at www.TheWell-TendedLife.com and the great-great-granddaughter of Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of classics like The Secret Garden
“Each year we hold on to the hope that the sun will shine after the darkness of winter, in order for new life to burst forth from the gardens we cultivate. Rachel Dodge has given us such an eloquent reminder in The Secret Garden Devotional that no matter how bleak our surroundings might look, new life is stirring just below the surface to be revealed at the most opportune time — God’s perfect time! We can each do ourselves a favor by spending some intentional moments with this book to cultivate the garden in our hearts.”
— Jen Smith, book collector, photographer, and curator of Storybook Style (@storybookstyle)
"This devotional beautifully teases out the story of God's love, faithfulness, and redemption quietly woven throughout the pages of a beloved classic. You'll find encouragement and personal insight as you reread Mary Mary Quite Contrary's story, this time through the lens of God's redemptive love."
— Julie Fisk, co-author of five devotionals, including The One Year Daily Acts of Friendship Devotional and One Good Word A Day: 365 Invitations to Encourage, Deepen, and Refine Your Faith.
“The Secret Garden Devotional pulls themes from the novel that touch our hearts and nurture our souls, so we can relish the garden as a place of hope, recognize seasons of change, and above all, remember that spring will come again soon. It reminds us that there’s a bigger picture and offers hope that we will grow and blossom again in time. Rachel's choice of encouraging verses for each devotional entry, alongside the prayers she wrote, remind us that we're never alone, God is for us, God protects and shelters us, and God sings over us. The illustrations are enchanting as well.”
— Deb Gruelle, bestselling author of Ten Little Night Stars (Zonderkidz) and Aching for a Child (David C. Cook)
“In sixth grade, I got a toy padlock and key from the prize box at the dentist’s office and pretended it was my key to the secret garden. That’s how in love I was with the story. But it wasn’t until adulthood that I truly appreciated the beauty of The Secret Garden. Rachel Dodge’s devotional takes that beauty to an even deeper level by uncovering what it can teach us about hope, renewal, friendship, and our ultimate healing through Christ. Thank you, Rachel, for bringing this favorite classic to life in a new way.”
— Jeanette Hanscome, multi-published author and speaker
“The Secret Garden was the first book I ever fell in love with, and it has become my children’s favorite read-aloud. Having read it nearly every year since I turned ten, Mary, Dickon, Colin, Ben, and Martha have become cherished friends, and they often call me to lose myself in a world where blossoms and children are hidden behind locked doors. Rachel’s devotional is the perfect companion to this beloved classic. She gently pulls lessons from each chapter and grows them with the tenderness of a gardener. The Secret Garden Devotional is meant to be read aloud, children delighting over the charming illustrations and teenagers discovering connections between a beloved story and spiritual truths.”
– Kimberly Duffy, author of Every Word Unsaid and The Weight of Air (February 2023)
