growing grace farm
gardening + spirituality + homesteading + creation care
Tag: darkness
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”
“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 “”
preparing for the longest night
As we prepare for the longest night of the year, I’ve been reflecting Darkness and the journeys we take with her. Whether it’s related to our spiritual, emotional, or physical health, Darkness can feel especially unnerving during a season that is filled with joy… Continue Reading “preparing for the longest night”
welcoming Darkness to the table
This Advent season, I have been sitting with longtime companions, Darkness and Light. As I grow in age, and perhaps wisdom, I’ve begun to appreciate the necessity of both. I find that in Advent, we sometimes want to “hurry up” Darkness so we can… Continue Reading “welcoming Darkness to the table”
the longest night
Last night was our Longest Night service at Skyland UMC. I began the service in 2013 after attending one at another church during a very dark time for my soul. It was so healing for me at this time of year that I felt… Continue Reading “the longest night”
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”
lessons learned: dark and deadly trails
In searching for words of wisdom this morning, I inadvertently came across this older post. I’m glad it did. ~cameron Last night on our evening walk as we rounded the bend of the nature trail, I asked my daughter, “Do you want to take… Continue Reading “lessons learned: dark and deadly trails”
hallelujah anyway
God always makes a way out of no way, but sometimes, it just seems too long.” ~Anne Lamott A couple of nights a go, a dear friend loaded me up in her car and took me on a road trip to Charlotte… Continue Reading “hallelujah anyway”
the tree
Even the tallest, strongest tree needs both light and the dark to flourish. We experience sunlight streaming down among branches and leaves, and we shout, “Hurrah! The Light is here! Look how the tree grows!” Yet we forget, that in the darkness the roots… Continue Reading “the tree”
welcoming Darkness to the table
Last weekend, I had the honor of co-facilitating a group of discerning deaconesses at a United Methodist Women’s gathering at Lake Junaluska, NC. As a part of our spiritual formation time on Saturday, we practiced sabbath, and each of us took 30 minutes to… Continue Reading “welcoming Darkness to the table”
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 “brokenness”
lessons learned: tickling the roots
Ok, Holy Spirit, once again you amaze me. I’m not sure if I’ve shared on this blog that I’ve resumed my yoga practice. This time, it has been less about perfecting my form and more about getting into the corners of my body and… Continue Reading “lessons learned: tickling the roots”
ebb and flow, darkness and light
Recently, I’ve pushed my morning yoga routine back a bit so I can spend more time in prayer and breathing before starting my day. While I am not always motivated to wake up those 15 minutes earlier, I find that in the long run,… Continue Reading “ebb and flow, darkness and light”
Lenten meditation: walking with flashlights
I wrote this blogpost last winter, but it seemed appropriate for Good Friday–acknowledging the darkness and finding the light. Recently, we adopted two rescue dogs, and we couldn’t be more happy! LuLu has returned to us from her time in the New Leash on… Continue Reading “Lenten meditation: walking with flashlights”
Lenten meditation: when light falls on the creeping
With an unexpected warm day yesterday, I spent some time puttering around my front flower beds after dinner. In the garden directly in front of my house, I have a large blue ceramic planter that has become home to many bulbs and perennials. Last… Continue Reading “Lenten meditation: when light falls on the creeping”
honoring the man who dared to stand
In honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther’s King’s celebrated day today, I have selected some of my favorite quotes by him. I consider him to be one of my heroes, and his words have mentored me through many a season in my life.… Continue Reading “honoring the man who dared to stand”
lessons learned: on patient paper whites and epiphany
Last year when I started my seeds in January, I stumbled across a couple of bulbs that hadn’t made it into the ground. I filled a tall mason jar with dirt, tossed the bulbs in, and set the jar with the rest of the… Continue Reading “lessons learned: on patient paper whites and epiphany”
lessons learned: roots and shoots
After we finally had a break from the hard, cold rain we’ve had recently, I went out to inspect the winter vegetables. This time of year, one of my gardening joys is walking through the beds and seeing the green shoots poking through the… Continue Reading “lessons learned: roots and shoots”
what the Muppets can teach us about Advent
One of my favorite holiday traditions is the annual viewing of The Muppet Christmas Carol. I have loved the Muppets since childhood, and as an adult, I came to appreciate the gentle lessons they teach us about life. Through humor, word, and deed, they… Continue Reading “what the Muppets can teach us about Advent”
lessons learned: what forgotten plants can teach us about hope
As I continue to sit with “Hope” this week, I thought I would repost this one. “Hope” is the thing with feathers – That perches in the soul – And sings the tune without the words – And never stops – at all –… Continue Reading “lessons learned: what forgotten plants can teach us about hope”
let my spirit glow
O Lord, Let my spirit glow so brightly that darkness will disappear. ~Islamic children’s prayer, Pakistan
lessons learned: walking with flashlights
Recently, we adopted two rescue dogs, and we couldn’t be more happy! LuLu has returned to us from her time in the New Leash on Life program, and while she was there, I fell in love with another dog, Chula Grace. Now, we’ve got… Continue Reading “lessons learned: walking with flashlights”
lessons learned: the crocus in winter
…. there may not be enough marigolds all summer to equal the first spring crocus ~ Nancy R. Hugo Last week, I traveled to Wisconsin for a business trip. While I love having a break away from the normal routine, this time, I was… Continue Reading “lessons learned: the crocus in winter”
the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King
In honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther’s King’s celebrated day tomorrow, I have selected some of my favorite quotes by him. I consider him to be one of my heroes, and his words have mentored me through many a season in my life. … Continue Reading “the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King”
the gate of the year
And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.” And he replied: “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That… Continue Reading “the gate of the year”
quotes: meditating on joy
Peace is joy at rest, and joy is peace on its feet. ~Anne Lamott When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy. ~Rumi You are goodness and mercy and compassion and understanding. You are peace and… Continue Reading “quotes: meditating on joy”
when light falls on the creeping jenny: an advent meditation
I will greet this day with love in my heart. And how will I do this? Henceforth will I look on all things with love and be born again. I will love the sun for it warms my bones; yet I will love the… Continue Reading “when light falls on the creeping jenny: an advent meditation”
shining the lamps of love in this world
Lamps of Love O Lord, take my ears and hear through them, take my hands and use them, take my lips and speak through them, take my eyes and smile through them, take my heart and mind and will, and use them as lamps… Continue Reading “shining the lamps of love in this world”
the gentle whispers of hope
Listen now to the gentle whispers of hope. ~Charles D. Brodhead Up behind our little farm, woods serve as a buffer from the neighborhood behind us. Often I like to roam that small patch of trees just to discover what God has growing there.… Continue Reading “the gentle whispers of hope”
lessons learned: what ladybugs can teach us about hope
As I sat down to write this morning, I realized that “hope” has become a consistent theme through my blog. I’ve reflected on new flowers peeking out from bulbs buried in winter snow, tiny hostas surviving a late May freeze, and long… Continue Reading “lessons learned: what ladybugs can teach us about hope”
the pathway of peace
From this fog-bound Earth of ours We take refuge in you, O rest of our souls, Escaping like birds from a broken cage To the keen, clean air, and the sunny uplands Where you dwell, and with you Find release from meanness of spirit,… Continue Reading “the pathway of peace”
let my spirit glow
O Lord Let my spirit glow so brightly, that darkness will disappear. — Islamic child’s prayer, Pakistan