lessons learned: the hawk and the crows
Yesterday, I took advantage of an unseasonably warm day and headed over to the park with the dog. While I do love wintertime, I also …
creation care
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: 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. …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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. …
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 …
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 …
wintering
from 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 …
“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 …
a psalm of thanksgiving
from my new book Growing Grace: A Book of Psalms Celebrating Creation Preorder here God of Bounty, We offer thanksgiving to you in this season of …
lessons learned: peaceful goats, peaceful spirit
As many of you know, I raise chickens–only a few at a time–and they have taught me many lessons about friendship, joy, loss and tenderness. …
dirty knees? yes, please!
I posted this one last Easter and pulled it out today as a reminder of why it is necessary to my spirit and wellbeing to …
lessons learned: hydrangeas and healing
We human beings are like plants. We need to be cared for in order to grow and thrive. It’s not always a perfect formula. In …
growing grace
Several years ago, someone asked me the meaning of “growing grace.” They assumed that my daughter’s name was Grace and that I had created the …
I have just recently discovered Leaving Church by Barbara Brown Taylor, and I am grateful to have these words find me: I know plenty of …
morning prayer
let the morning come let the sun rise slowly outside my window peeking through silhouettes of dark trees let the hummingbirds wake the world with …
well, it’s about time
Several weeks ago, I was sharing a story with a friend, and she noted, “Well, it’s about time!” And in one way, she was right–our …
sanctuary
You are my shelter, O eternal One–my soul’s sanctuary! Psalm 31: 1 (The Voice) This week, I have been on vacation. Having closed out my …
dirty knees? yes, please
w The best place to seek God is in a garden. You can dig for him there. ~George Bernard Shaw, The Adventures of the Black …