Four in the Garden: A Spiritual Allegory about Trust

by Rick Hocker

2015 Readers' Favorite award winner

This inspirational book challenges readers to trust in God in spite of our fears and doubts. With memorable characters, rich symbolism, and vivid imagery, this story offers a soul-searching and thought-provoking allegory of one's deepening relationship with God.

In this unusual retelling of the Garden of Eden story, Creator makes only one human, named Cherished. Instead of creating a second human, Creator wants to be that trusted companion. But Cherished struggles to relate to the invisible Creator.

Three Teachers accompany Cherished on his erratic journey toward understanding and trusting in Creator, even though Creator’s actions don’t align with his expectations. Cherished grapples with disappointment, frustration, doubt, and failure, and with dangers such as wild animals and malevolent beings. He endures numerous challenges, not knowing that they are meant to prepare him for his greatest crisis of all, through which he learns that Creator's love is the only constant in his life.

In its underlying theme, this biblically-based story presents life as a means for transformation when we entrust everything to God because our trust in God is what transforms us. To aid contemplation and spiritual growth, Four in the Garden is divided into short thematic chapters and discussion questions are provided at the end of the book.

Genres: Spirituality

328 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2014

About the author

In 2004, Rick Hocker sustained a back injury that left him bed-ridden in excruciating pain for six months, followed by a long recovery. He faced the challenges of disability, loss of income, and mounting debt. Believing this experience had some unrevealed purpose, he saw this trial as an opportunity to seek God with renewed earnestness. After emerging from this dark time, he discovered that profound growth had occurred. He no longer views life's events as good or bad, but as reminders to entrust everything to God.

Three years later, he had a dream that inspired him to write his book, "Four in the Garden." His intent was to illustrate one's growth toward deep communion with God and to share the insights he gained from the personal transformation that resulted from his back injury.

Rick is a retired game programmer and graphic artist. He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and now lives in Martinez. Rick is now working on his second book, a mystery-thriller that takes place in modern Missouri. He also writes inspirational articles on his blog.

Rick can be reached at [email protected]

Reviews

[Barbara Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I read Four in the Garden, I realized with surprise that I was enjoying it. A lot. I found the characters engaging, the plot well-paced and the descriptions of the main character’s world and his non-human companions evocative and clear.

Most of all, though, I found the spiritual nature of the book genuine, wise and thoughtful. I have little patience with Christian writing that ends with a thud on another time-worn platitude. Rick Hocker’s take on the allegory of trust and sacrifice didn’t spoon feed the party line, but was imaginative and thought-provoking.

The ups and downs of the main character Cherished’s education reflected the human journey: by turns amusing, frustrating, causing frustration (I wanted to knock Cherished on the head a few times), lonely or sad. Through it all, Cherished learns.

I had a few problems with word choice, but the true testament to how much I liked this book is this: I underlined something, I cried at the end and I’ll probably read it again.

[Mark Gebhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four in the Garden is a wonderful read. It has a great mix of the spiritual and fantasy. It encouraged my trust and relationship with God. Entering the garden is a delightful journey of learning and hopefulness. I have found it difficult to find good Christian fiction and this is one of the best. I will read the book more than once. I would recommend this book to everyone.

[Sharon Teagarden-king]

wow! A wonderful telling of the creation story and gospel. An in depth account of the position of GOD as Producer and director of the story of man with an explaination of humans being meer actors in His play of life!

[Bobby Joyner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sometimes ponder my formative years and thereafter throughout my youth, the deep heartache and hopelessness associated. I was 5 years of age and my sister 4, we were screaming in such agony and desperation until our voices gave out. A new foster home and watching our parents walk away from behind a locked screened door, this event triggered a pain so deep that had I understood how to leave that dimension of life, I would have chosen to do so. The pain of those days and circumstance had never left my psyche, then along comes a book like "Four in the Garden", the most beautifully written work that has effectuated healing and a deep sense of peace within my soul. In essence, it is the most beautiful book that has touched the deepest strata of my existence and the only work I've read in it's entirety on three separate occasions. The author Rick Hocker shared this book with me when I was going through a difficult time, not only is his work nothing short of genius he also possesses such a beautiful soul and mind. This becomes ever so clear while reading Rick's work "Four in the Garden." The utility of allegory is exceptional and surpasses any other work with respect to spirituality. For any true seeker of truth the unseen and all that is beyond the scope of the senses becomes alive with greater insight and a deeper understanding. I can't help but believe that through divine providence or what Jung referred too as a syncrhonistic event, I came into possession of the most substantive and beautiful work that is life changing and indeed a cathertic transformation. Bobby

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four in the Garden is simply one of those books you just hate to put down. I was drawn into the story line immediately, and thought it was a great way to demonstrate "Creator" and all that a spiritual life entails. It came to me while reading this, that it would be a great book to share with teens and adults who perhaps can't seem to understand or care to understand mainstream religious/spiritual rituals, meaning, biblical verses etc...This book encompasses many different thoughts and beliefs about Creator or God or Universe, or however you label it. It gives a foundation of faith, hope, trust, and love in our lives and what perhaps we might glean from our lessons. This book gives a sense of knowing and believing that no matter what we do, we all will make mistakes but can evolve and find the positivity and love in the transformation in our lives. I am filled with gratitude at being a Goodreads winner and having the ability to be able to review this amazing book! I will know when the time is right just whom I will share this book with! Many thanks!

[Doug McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four In The Garden is an allegorical story similar to the writings of C.S. Lewis. It is most similar to Lewis' "Space Trilogy", as the theological ideas are much more pronounced than those in the Narnia series. If you like Lewis, particularly the Space Trilogy, you will like this book.

The two great strengths of this book are its characters and its content. I found most of the characters to be interesting in appearance and characteristics. I found the content to be very helpful. This book definitely inspired me to trust more fully in God (not in what God might do for me, but in God Himself).

I highly recommend it!

[L Wal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. It captured my interest from the first chapter. It is a spiritual journey that has many pearls of wisdom and truths. It also shows the reader the unfailing love of our Creator.