lessons learned: our little LuLu
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. ~attributed to Plato but documented as being written by Ian Mclaren, pseudonym of Rev. …
Advent meditation: Love
After retiring to its new underground home, the seed adjusts to life in the Darkness. It takes some time, but after a while, it resigns …
Advent meditation: Hope
A self-sowing seed begins in the light. It holds on for as long as it can, but then weather changes, time passes, and nutrients fade. …
recipes: quick and easy chicken broth
Recipe for quick and easy chicken broth using rotisserie chicken carcass and vegetables
recipes: grits ‘n greens
My oh my, how do I love grits. My dad got us started early on this Southern staple by making us cheese grits on cold …
Mary Oliver’s Wild Geese
It is tradition for me to read this poem on the first morning I hear the geese migrating for both winter and summer. Even though …
a psalm of sacred space
When the world becomes a busy placeand I need to reconnect with you,I go to my sanctuary,my kitchen,and there I find you at my table.You …
lessons learned: root bound
When the world seems to bind us in ways that restrict, impede or obstruct our freedom and growth, I return to these words from six …
lessons learned: be love
On Friday, we promised the younger gardener-in-residence that we would take a trip up to Graveyard Fields on the Blue Ridge Parkway and pick blueberries. …
nourish then flourish
I have recently joined a collective of artists, writers, and practitioners who trust in the therapeutic aspect of nature and creation. Each in our own …
lessons learned: gratitude, grace, and chicken poo
Recently, I read about doing a running streak in Runner’s World – the point is to run every day from Memorial Day to the Fourth …
a psalm of awakening
O, My Maker,Let the morning come.Let the sun rise slowlyoutside my windowpeeking through silhouettesof dark trees.Let the hummingbirdswake the worldwith chirps of delight.Let the rabbits …
the columbine
This spring, the pandemic has slowed our go-go-go family down tremendously. Rather than running to various activities every afternoon, we’ve found ourselves focused on our …
lessons learned: My friend, Brokenness
Recently, I have been sitting with Brokenness. For a long time, however, I was afraid to acknowledge her presence because her cracks might allow someone …
Growing Grace Podcast: Mountaintop Moments
Transcript: What if you could step outside your door and find a space for connection with yourself and God – a time apart to renew …
Growing Grace Podcast: The Longest Night
What if you could step outside your door and find a space for connection with yourself and God — a time apart to center your …
here I am, let it be with me
Mary is my girl. I’ve been sitting with her during Christmas for years now, and each Advent season, I come to learn more about God, …
a psalm of harvest
God of Bounty, We offer thanksgiving to you in this season of harvest. For the food you created, for the rich soil that sheltered the …
86,400 seconds
blogger’s note: If you’ve been following me for awhile, you willl recognize this post. There are many iterations of it on this site as it …
seeking restoration
It has been quite some time since I have been actively engaged in a faith community. I have been seeking, wrestling, discerning, and waiting, and …
the voices
This morning, I’ve had the gift of some alone time on the back porch as the world wakes up into Saturday. It did not take …
lessons learned: resting in the Spirit (World Mental Health Day, October 10)
I shared this sermon at our contemplative service a handful of years ago during Mental Health Awareness Month in the UMC (May). In honor of …
it’s more than a quarter
It’s more than a word of affirmation. It’s more than a smile. It’s more than a handhold. It’s more than a greeting. It’s more than …
Mary Oliver’s Wild Geese
It has become a meaningful tradition for me to return to this poem when I hear the first flock of Canadian geese making their way …
your prayers
Dear Friends and Family, About seven months ago, Bob and I started planning for me to have a space apart as a studio, meditation room, …
lessons learned: balance and sneezeweed
About a week or so ago, I had hit my limit–spiritually, emotionally and physically. Broken ribs, cluttered home, never ending projects, new transitions–all a part …
lessons learned: holy hummingbirds
Often, I share with people this bit of advice from the spiritual direction world–it if happens at least 3 times, then it’s probably the Holy …
the stories I could tell
the stories I could tellof dreams sweetly coursing through my veins filled with life and sustenance;of growth buried deeply within my cellsnot a choice or …
morning song
oh, Morning, you couldn’t wait. Sometimes, you arrive as an unannounced visitor too early for me to greet you with a welcoming hug. But I …
lady wisdom
A few years ago, my devotion journal highlighted Proverbs 8, a lovely and insightful text about Lady Wisdom or Sophia. As Holy Wisdom, she personifies …
lessons learned: trucks, traffic and trust
I’ve been doing a lot of traveling for work recently. I enjoy the opportunity to meet new people, educate conference participants, and advocate for individuals …
snow, silence, sabbath
April began conference season at work and brought with it a lovely trip to Chattanooga with my sweetheart and his children for Spring Break. I …
living in the here
I have recently been re-reading Pádraig Ó Tuama’s book In the Shelter: Finding a Home in the World. I find it grounds me in ways …
ecospiritua-what?
Blog post about ecospirituality and some practices that support caring for the earth and your soul.
tree of life
The other day, a young friend was helping me pick out some photos to frame for my first gallery showing. As we flipped through the …
baking bread
If you follow Growing Grace Farm on Instagram or Facebook, you know that I have been reading Salt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nosrat. My …
journey
This morning, I thought I might try something a bit different with my post. A few minutes ago, I came across a photo that reminded …
my affirmation of faith
Some of you may not know that I am lifelong United Methodist (UMC), and in 2009, I was commissioned as a Deaconess in the UMC …