Picking Dandelions: A Search for Eden Among Life's Weeds - Softcover

Cunningham, Sarah Raymond

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0310292476 ISBN 13: 9780310292470

Publisher: Zondervan, 2010

Synopsis

Sarah Cunningham, a moderate middle-class white girl who grew up in the Michigan countryside, speaks about God with humor and honesty more characteristic of liberal west-coast writers. In this warm and witty memoir, she describes finding and keeping a personal faith in the quirky settings of her ultra-Christian childhood. Whether recounting living next to a cemetery, teaching at-risk high schoolers, or listening to her grandmother's stories about being a British 'war bride,' the author weaves faith into down-to-earth metaphors of growth and renewal, planting and reaping, greenery and weeds. In the end, Cunningham succeeds in sifting through the dysfunctions and flaws of human life and discovering pockets of God's original Eden goodness for both herself and for you. Picking Dandelions is a candid and personal account of outgrowing laissez-faire Christianity, moving into mature faith, and realizing that a God-following person is a changing person ... and you just might follow suit.

About this title

From the Publisher:

I'm a fan of Sarah Cunningham. For many reasons. And I'm a fan of her latest book, Picking Dandelions. You should buy a copy. ...Sarah has a fresh perspective on faith, a writing style that is personal and unique, and an uncanny way to make you laugh, smile, and cry all within a couple of pages. -Bradlomenick.com

The moment I met Sarah Cunningham I was blown away by her passion, deep wisdom, and love for God. Without question she is a voice that we all need to be listening to. Picking Dandelions is a beautifully honest look at life, the struggle of faith, and embracing change in our lives. -Mike Foster, Potsc.com

Well... the rumor is Donald Miller wrote the book under the pen name, Sarah Cunningham (joking). Benarment.com

Does Cunningham have anything to offer in this crowded [memoir] genre? Absolutely. For one thing, great writing. I read a lot of books, and a very few are characterized by the quality of writing in this book. A few pages into this memoir and I relaxed. It's the same feeling you get (I imagine) when you're being chauffeured by someone who really knows how to drive. -Daryl Dash

Sarah describes herself as a moderate middle-class white girl who grew up in the Michigan countryside, but speaks about God with humor and honesty more characteristic of liberal west-coast writers. Anne Lamott is one of her faves. Susanisaacs.net

It's sort of refreshing that Sarah, raised in the right wing, can weave elements of faith into a spiritual memoir too because it suggests that there are valid, messy spiritual discoveries for all of us, no matter what corner of the earth or political landscape we grow up on. -Anne Jackson, Flowerdust.net

[Sarah Cunningham] is a great writer. She's an interesting person. She's got excellent stories to tell and makes thoughtful observations about contemporary Christianity. I loved this book. Jasonboyett.com

...[Sarah] she has found how to tell compelling stories as Sarah Cunningham much like Donald Miller tells authentic stories as Donald Miller. You don't feel like you're reading a Miller clone, but you do have someone who knows how to tell a good story, to share self-deprecating scenarios, and to reflect on meeting God in the everyday scenes of life. -Ed Cyzewski, Inamirrordimly.com

Cunningham's writing is refreshing, particularly because she's a female contemporary--only two years older than me. I'm tired of reading about the spiritual journeys of 40 year-old men. -Amy Sondova

In Sarah Cunningham, I find all of the the raw, unembellished honesty, the fervent hope, and handcrafted needlework of poetic prose that made me fall in love with Anne Lamott. -Ian Scott Patterson

Cunningham's writing is crisp and entertaining, and her humor gently self-deprecating. She gleans her spiritual insights from the most mundane moments, but that doesn't make them mundane insights. -Marilyn Matevia

From the Back Cover:

In this warm and witty memoir, Sarah Cunningham shares more than just a chronicle of the people and experiences of her life. Each story she recounts illustrates her growing understanding of God's kingdom, true faith, and reconciliation.The daughter of a Baptist minister, Cunningham had always identified herself as a Christian and never entertained a reason to change. But challenges and change, the author discovers, are the stuff and substance of the life God gave her. As her own stories unfold, Cunningham underscores themes of change using vivid imagery. Whether she's describing her life as a child living next to a cemetery, or her grandmother's adjustments to life as an English “war bride” after WWII, the author evokes carefully crafted pictures of growth and renewal, planting and reaping, greenery and weeds--tying it all to heaven and the life God wants for her and her readers.Picking Dandelions is a candid and personal account of outgrowing laissez-faire Christianity, moving into mature faith, and realizing that a God-following person is a changing person. Discerning readers just might follow suit.

About this edition

• Publisher: Zondervan
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0310292476
• ISBN 13: 9780310292470
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224