A Care Package for Fall 🍂

Prayers to Borrow When You're Doubtful (and Hopeful, too)

Trying to catch your breath? You’re not the only one. I’m sending you this note in hopes that it might offer a bit of reprieve. You’ll find some book news, a breath prayer, contemplative podcast episodes, and a benediction. As you read, I hope you might be able to rest & reset — even (especially) in the chaos of real life’s demands. (Also, TLDR: BOOK & COFFEE GIVEAWAYS! We need some good news, right?)

What’s to come?

I’m excited to get back into the rhythm of writing to you here. How are you doing, really? This newsletter space feels a little more connected than social media, and I can finally connect here again because…yesterday, I submitted the manuscript for my second book! When I pressed send on the email to my editor, I felt my whole body exhale.

All summer (and early fall), I poured over pages, praying that my cobbled-together words will someday (about a year from now) find your hands and offer a deep exhale for you — the one who holds so much — who wants to stay awake to the beautiful but be present to the pain, too.

Even as I was shuttling kids to soccer practice, changing diapers, and navigating middle-school drama (hello, sixth grade!), I was writing in my head and holding you in my heart, turning over and over again in my mind what I might be able to create as an offering for you.

Just know there is a whole publishing team working together to edit & design a book made for you to turn to again and again. A book that will invite you into both contemplation and action. I hope what we’re crafting will speak to your soul and offer connected resources for your family.

What’s October looking like for you?

As my family settles into fall rhythms, I hold both hope and doubt. ICYMI, I started a Liturgies for Parents podcast, a short (10-ish minutes) weekly offering of a Scripture reading, prayer, and benediction. This week’s episode is A Prayer for Doubt, and last week was A Prayer for Catching Your Breath. (Listen to them wherever you listen to podcasts — more than 20 episodes are waiting for you.)

Maybe you’re entering fall and feeling like you’re already behind. Perhaps you’re watching headline after headline unfolds and wondering where God could be amidst so much suffering. Maybe you have a child who is struggling, or things are going on inside your home or heart that you feel like you can’t share with anyone. I may not know what you're holding, but I want you to know in whatever it is that you hold, you are not alone. We have a God who sees – and a God who cares.

In whatever season of parenting you find yourself in, I hope these episodes will help you reset and feel a bit more rooted, even in all you are holding right now at this very moment.

It’s birthday time!

To Light Their Way: A Collection of Prayers & Liturgies for Parents is turning ONE YEAR OLD on October 5! I’m humbled and honored that it has gone into its third printing, thanks to many of you. Thanks for sharing it with your friends & neighbors, faith communities, and family members. I’ve said it repeatedly, but these prayers are yours.

To celebrate my book baby’s first birthday, I’m sending YOU some presents to thank you for faithfully reading and supporting this book.

I’m hosting a week of giveaways on Instagram (today is a signed copy of the book and a Starbucks gift card — for you and a friend!).

I know not all of you are on Instagram. So…to thank you for allowing me space in your inbox (something I do not take for granted) I’m doing a SUBSTACK-ONLY giveaway of a signed copy!

TO ENTER: Just leave a comment here on Substack (or reply to this email if you prefer) letting me know you’d like a copy (either to keep or give to a friend).

I’ll draw a winner at the end of the week. Thanks for being here!

A favor?

I have a little goal I was wondering if you could help me meet. We’re currently only 11 ratings/reviews away from 300 on Amazon!* Can we celebrate one year of this book with 300 ratings/reviews? If you’ve read a copy of To Light Their Way, your honest feedback would be a ton. I’m grateful if you can take a minute to leave your thoughts — it’ll also help others find the book!

(*Amazon feels a bit like a necessary evil in the publishing world, but I LOVE supporting independent bookstores. Stay tuned on Instagram for more ways to celebrate those lovely, bookish local stores in our communities!)

A prayer for doubt.

O God of truth, help us to be honest,

About our doubts that linger beneath the surface

And the worries that arise

In sleepless nights and exhausted mornings.

We so often feel the need to keep the ship afloat

For our children and for our families,

And we come to you bone-weary and gasping for air

Because it feels a little bit like we're sinking

And we're wondering where you are in all of this.

For those of us who are out here in the deep end,

Treading water with pains in our sides

And tugs in our lungs,

We ask for your Spirit to buoy us

And give us strength to make it to shore.

O God of rescue and restoration,

In our doubts, give us hope.

In our fatigue, give us peace.

And in our aches, give us comfort with your unending love.

(If listening is more your speed, I read it on this podcast episode.)

A behind-the-scenes look

Since I’ve been radio silent around here, I have a couple more things to share with you! In addition to what I’ve mentioned above, you can also find me writing over at PBS KIDS for Parents (I got to interview the creators and executive producers behind the adorable brand-new show Rosie’s Rules) and (in)courage (I wrote about finding God in the pebbles of our lives).

I was a contributor for Alabaster Co.’s stunningly-designed Good and Beautiful Bible Study (My chapter? Fan-girling over Deborah from the Old Testament!). I also wrote chapters for two of their books: FRUIT: Flourishing with the Fruit of the Spirit and Towards Rest.

My friend Mary Carver invited me on The Couch podcast to talk about fall TV streaming services and we had an absolute blast.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. I shared a bit about what my sons want you to know about having a sister with Down Syndrome here. If you haven’t had a chance to grab Heather Avis’s children’s books, please do! I donated some copies to my kids’ classrooms.

Speaking of children’s books, The Stories of God and Kiki by Dave Connis is whimsical and delightful! Instant favorite. And for the youngest among us, this board book by Danielle Hitchen merges learning about colors with Psalm 23 and tbh, it made me cry. Both of these books just released and are worth adding to your list!

One of my closest friends Patricia A. Taylor is hosting a Legacy Trip this summer over Juneteenth weekend. It sounds life-changing. (And I don’t use that phrase lightly.) And my friend Laura recently launched Mothering Spirit, a new ecumenical storytelling collective. I shared A Blessing to Begin for the website’s launch. (How incredible are these friends?!)

I’m reading my friend Rachel Marie Kang’s gorgeous book about creativity Let There Be Art (it releases October 11!) and my friend Jenny Potter’s book Doing Nothing is No Longer an Option releases at the end of this month (October 25!). I had the honor of reading an early copy. Wholeheartedly recommend! (Check out my endorsement below.)

A benediction.

May the Creator and Sustainer of Life fill Your lungs with peace so that you – in all your parenting, in all your work, in all your relationships – may rest.

In your every inhale and exhale, may your lungs be filled with God’s peace so that you may keep going, doing the good, holy, important, and often unseen work of caring for and raising your children with intentionality and compassion.

In Your every breath, may you remember that your presence on this earth matters and you are called beloved by Your creator.  In light of this belovedness, may You breathe a little easier.

And may all your life, your fantastic, dirty, messy, holy life, be a prayer.

Until next time

Find me at @Kayla_Craig and @LiturgiesForParents on Instagram.

May peace surround you and propel you to create a more flourishing world,

PS: Today (October 4) is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi! Check out pages 170-171 of To Light Their Way for a prayer to borrow. Below is a peaceful instrumental play list for you to listen to as you pray!