Dr. Shala Lamothe Hughes
What if a beautiful garden could grow inside your heart?Eight-year-old Sammy loves red shoes, bike rides, and jumping in puddles. But when Mommy tells him that God grows a garden in his heart, he has a question: What could possibly grow in there?Through gentle rhyme and familiar childhood moments, Sammy’s Garden of the Heart introduces the nine fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.From sharing a favorite cookie and welcoming a lonely child to telling the truth and taking a breath when anger rises, Sammy discovers how faith can shape everyday choices. Waiting isn’t always easy, and getting things right takes practice-but God lovingly helps him keep growing.Inspired by Galatians 5:22-23, this reassuring Christian picture book reminds children that growing in faith happens little by little, with God’s love and grace.Written for kindergarten through second grade, it is a meaningful read-aloud for family time, bedtime, Sunday school, and Christian classrooms. Includes a closing prayer, simple explanations of each fruit of the Spirit, and family discussion questions to continue the conversation.Help a little heart discover the goodness God can grow within.
