growing grace farm
gardening + spirituality + homesteading + creation care
Tag: creation care
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”
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”
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”
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”
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 your soul and your spirit. This podcast invites listeners to get out of their heads and out into nature… Continue Reading “Growing Grace Podcast: Mountaintop Moments”
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”
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”
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 of life, I know, but my soul couldn’t wrestle with another thing. On the way home from an event… Continue Reading “lessons learned: balance and sneezeweed”
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”
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 join you anyway, with sleepy eyes and a cup of tea, my journal, a pen in hand, and shuffling… Continue Reading “morning song”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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 “”
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 harvest. For the food you created, for the rich soil that sheltered the seeds for the morning sun that… Continue Reading “a psalm of thanksgiving”
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. I dream, however, of adding goats to our fold one day, and while now is not the time, I… Continue Reading “lessons learned: peaceful goats, peaceful spirit”
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 sink my hands into the dirt daily. As for Daisy, she is resting in peace under favorite tree, nourishing… Continue Reading “dirty knees? yes, please!”
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 general though, we need to be watered, fed, and sometimes pruned. And just like plants, without enough nourishment, we… Continue Reading “lessons learned: hydrangeas and healing”
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 gardens to grow her through healthy food sources. When I noted that the Creator was growing grace, or blessings,… Continue Reading “growing grace”
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 chirps of delight let the rabbits scamper from the gardens their mouths full of fresh greens let the crickets… Continue Reading “morning prayer”
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 culture’s use of that phrase to mean finally accompanied by a tinge of exasperation seemed to fit the situation just… Continue Reading “well, it’s about time”
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 former job last Friday, I decided to take a week off prior to beginning my new position. I’ve never… Continue Reading “sanctuary”
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 Girl in Her Search for God, 1932 For the last couple of weeks, I have meditated on Anne Lamott’s reference… Continue Reading “dirty knees? yes, please”
healing
Some days when the scars in my soul remind me they are there, I go out into creation and just be with my God. I am reminded that there is beauty in each and every living thing, even myself.
Wendell Berry’s The Peace of Wild Things
This one is resting in my spirit today. The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children’s lives… Continue Reading “Wendell Berry’s The Peace of Wild Things”