growing grace farm
gardening + spirituality + homesteading + creation care
Category: spirituality
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. The bit of green it clings to releases the seed to the earth with a gentle reminder, “This is… Continue Reading “Advent meditation: Hope”
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 I primarily work remotely now, this is the first morning that I’ve heard them pass over my home. I’ve… Continue Reading “Mary Oliver’s Wild Geese”
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 are my Holy Homesteader,the one who keeps me company as Iarrange the flowers,wash the vegetables,can the jam,trim the herbs,sweeten… Continue Reading “A Psalm of sacred space”
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 years ago. -cameron “You are root bound,” she said. “Your prayer might be, ‘God, give me a bigger pot.’”… Continue Reading “lessons learned: root bound”
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. Hiking to pick mountain berries is a tradition for many families in our area, and now that the word… Continue Reading “Lessons Learned: Be Love”
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 way, we believe that intentionally spending time with nature creates opportunities for growth, healing, inspiration and restoration. Rebecca Lefebvre… Continue Reading “Nourish then Flourish”
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 of July (I’m in America). I used to participate in 5Ks for fun – I’m not a runner but… Continue Reading “lessons learned: gratitude, grace, and chicken poo”
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 scamperfrom the gardenstheir mouths full of fresh greens.Let the crickets begin their songas the earth warms in the light.Let… Continue Reading “a psalm of awakening”
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 own homestead. We keep a to-do list of both house and garden projects, but this extra time has afforded… Continue Reading “the columbine”
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 to see the darkness buried deep inside. And isn’t her sidekick, Wholeness, the friend we want to claim as… Continue Reading “lessons learned: My friend, Brokenness”
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, her and myself through her story. I’ve preached on Mary as the pregnant teenager in my high school homeroom,… Continue Reading “here I am, let it be with me”
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 seeds for the morning sun that warmed them and for the gentle rain that nourished them. We offer gratitude… Continue Reading “a psalm of harvest”
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 is one of my favorites. The season of Thanksgiving is here, one of my favorites, and I’ve begun focusing… Continue Reading “86,400 seconds”
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 quite frankly, I have begun to describe myself as feeling hollow. Not “without the presence of God” hollow, but… Continue Reading “seeking restoration”
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 long for the birds to find the fresh food at the feeder and begin the lovely dance of taking… Continue Reading “the voices”
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 World Mental Health Day (October 10), I’m reposting. ~cameron This week, I’ve been struck by the intermingling of mental… Continue Reading “lessons learned: resting in the Spirit (World Mental Health Day, October 10)”
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 south in early autumn and home in early spring. As with any writing I read and re-read, I find… Continue Reading “Mary Oliver’s Wild Geese”
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, and spiritual direction office. After several twists and turns, we finally settled on a studio shed. Bob and I… Continue Reading “your prayers”
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 Spirit trying to tell you something. Most of us look to big signs or burning bushes to relay those… Continue Reading “lessons learned: holy hummingbirds”
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 the female aspects of God, and in the Proverbs passage, we learn she has been around since Creation. I… Continue Reading “lady wisdom”
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 with disabilities. I like people watching at airports and finding new parks to explore. I even don’t mind sleeping… Continue Reading “lessons learned: trucks, traffic and trust”
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 that complement other aspects of my spirituality. Yesterday as I prepared to drive home from a work engagement, I… Continue Reading “living in the here”
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 dozens that reside on my computer, he stopped me at the photo above and noted how much he liked… Continue Reading “tree of life”
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 sweetheart and I came across the docuseries on Netflix, and immediately, I was taken. A woman who loves travel,… Continue Reading “baking bread”
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 me of an unexpected treasure I found as I traveled across the state of Wisconsin many years ago. A… Continue Reading “journey”
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 (Not a female “deacon,” by the way. We’re vocational ancestors of the women-led social holiness / justice movement and… Continue Reading “my affirmation of faith”
lessons learned: at the heart of it
When my sister and I were little, our mother would surprise us by serving an artichoke with our dinner. We found it magical to peel away the layers, scraping them with our teeth and savoring the small bit of goodness at the end of… Continue Reading “lessons learned: at the heart of it”
i go to the woods
How I go to the woods Ordinarily, I go to the woods alone, with not a singlefriend, for they are all smilers and talkers and thereforeunsuitable. I don’t really want to be witnessed talking to the catbirdsor hugging the old black oak tree. I… Continue Reading “i go to the woods”
anniversary
In February, eleven years ago, a handful of friends and colleagues, all women, were experiencing challenging times–single parenting, work stress, and life transitions. I chose a quote, wrote a three-sentence meditation and emailed it to them as a way to demonstrate intentional support and… Continue Reading “anniversary”
the gift of words
You, like me, may have chanted this in your childhood: Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me. Sadly, as an adult, especially in the last handful of years, I have realized that this isn’t the case. Political rhetoric, hate speech, and bullying have all given way to people literally dying… Continue Reading “the gift of words”
i went to the woods
I went to the wood yesterday to walk, to pray, to cry, and to surrender all that was nagging at my bones and my spirit. I did not expect to photograph or pause–I needed to roam through creation until I could feel my spirit… Continue Reading “i went to the woods”
a visit with shadow
Over the weekend, Shadow showed up at my front door. I hadn’t invited her, but her visit was not unexpected. She has a tendency to drop by when I experience loss, sadness, or frustration. She typically makes a grand entrance, sashaying in with her… Continue Reading “a visit with shadow”
Mary Oliver’s Messenger
Poems arrive ready to begin. Poets are only the transportation. -Mary Oliver, “Humility” In waking almost two hours too early the other morning, I found myself in the soft light of my meditation room. I wasn’t ready to greet the treadmill or yoga mat… Continue Reading “Mary Oliver’s Messenger”
seeking joy
On my professional travels with a colleague, we typically listen to podcasts as a way to decompress on the ride home. This past Monday, he introduced me to the TED Radio Hour via NPR, and I was reminded of the simplicity of joy in… Continue Reading “seeking joy”
coming out of the dark
Most days, if you take the time to just be, creation reminds us of the simple truths in life–love, hope, forgiveness, etc. This morning, I found the bulbs in my window to speak to me more meaningfully than words in a book. For many… Continue Reading “coming out of the dark”
lessons learned: bunnies and sacred space
Every spring, the bunnies come to visit the garden and see if by some chance, there’s a hole in the chicken wire big enough to access the greens. Sadly, they are disappointed, but they hang around any way and give birth each Spring to… Continue Reading “lessons learned: bunnies and sacred space”
wintering
from the recently released book Growing Grace: A Book of Psalms Celebrating Creation I’ve put the gardens to bed and shored up the chicken coop. I’ve stored the tools and stacked the pots behind the shed. I’ve left the last of the coneflower dead… Continue Reading “wintering”
“When I entered the cave hoping for a glimpse of celestial brightness, it never occurred to me that it might be so small. But here it is, not much bigger than a mustard seed—everything I need to remember how much my set ideas get… Continue Reading “”