gardening + spirituality + homesteading + creation care
Message for Mary Sunday, contemplative service, December 2, 2018 This week, I have spent some time gazing at various artistic renderings of Mary and Elizabeth and Mary singing the Magnificat hoping to glean some insight as to what Mary was carrying with her in… Continue Reading “the things we carry: songs and sacred spaces”
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”
Waiting is hard for most of us. Not necessarily because we have to be where we are but because want to get to where we are going. We may be perfectly content in this place and time but want to move into something bigger… Continue Reading “the psalm of waiting”
This morning as I read of the postponement of Kelly Gissendaner‘s execution, I wondered what it must be like for her as she waits in the unknown. I wonder if her faith is surrounding her in peace. I wonder if a flame of hope… Continue Reading “Lenten reflection: the Potter”
There is a winter in all of our lives, a chill and darkness that makes us yearn for days that have gone or put our hope in days yet to be. Father God, you created seasons for a purpose. Spring is full of expectation… Continue Reading “John Birch’s prayer for winter”
One More Sleep Til Christmas (words by Paul Williams, from The Muppet Christmas Carol) There magic in the air this evening Magic in the air The world is at her best, you know When people love and care The promise of excitement is one… Continue Reading “one more sleep til Christmas”
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”
“You are root bound,” she said. “Your prayer needs to be, ‘God, give me a bigger pot.’” That’s what my counselor said to me Tuesday, and it has resonated with my spirit ever since. Given how I love to blog about creation and spirituality,… Continue Reading “lessons learned: caring for the root bound”
Geese appear high over us, pass, and the sky closes. Abandon, as in love or sleep, holds them to their way, clear in the ancient faith: what we need is here. And we pray, not for new earth or heaven, but to be quiet… Continue Reading “Wendell Berry’s What We Need Is Here”
This morning I came across this blessing in Jan Richardson’s book In the Sanctuary of Women. “Rootedness” seems to be a theme in my life right now so I thought I would repost this meditation. May your roots go deep and deeper still into… Continue Reading “lessons learned: dandelions and faith”
As I squatted by the trellis yesterday to plant more sugar snap peas, I looked down at the boots I was wearing. I’ve had them for a couple of years now, so they are not so colorful anymore, but I fondly remembered that I’d… Continue Reading “lessons learned: on growth, gardening boots, and grace”
Today, my sweet baby girl sheds another year and gracefully takes the next few steps on her life’s journey. There are days when I’m sure she wishes she could take a few leaps forward and be out in the big, wide world, and there… Continue Reading “lessons shared with my daughter”
At this time of year, I fondly remember my dear friend, Cheryl. You see, a few years ago before she passed away from her third round of cancer (she liked to challenge the odds and live passionately), I spontaneously took a week in late… Continue Reading “lessons learned: faith and fancy with a little mischief for good measure”
This morning, a friend of mine posted a link on her facebook wall to a “Reverse Lent Challenge.” The subhead noted, “Don’t give something up. Take something on.” In her comment section, others had noted that “giving on” was more their speed than “giving… Continue Reading “give up and give on–lessons learned from Lent”
Blessing the Dust A Blessing for Ash Wednesday All those days you felt like dust, like dirt, as if all you had to do was turn your face toward the wind and be scattered to the four corners or swept away by the smallest… Continue Reading “Jan Richardson’s Ash Wednesday blessing”
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”
May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on… Continue Reading “peace within”
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”
Reposting this one as two opportunities for reflection this week reminded me why I cherish the word “gumption.” This morning on my brief stroll to pick kale for the chickens, I glanced around the veggie beds. How empty everything seems, even with greens… Continue Reading “lessons learned: on mint and gumption”
After spending Sunday afternoon engaged in quiet creation care, I thought I’d revisit this post this morning. Knowing yourself is to be rooted in Being, instead of lost in your mind. ~Eckhart Tolle Last week, we had some gentle rain showers which soaked the… Continue Reading “lessons learned: dandelions and being rooted in faith”
Today brings with it several anniversaries for me. By the time, I received my cancer diagnosis on this date 3 years ago, I began to wonder if God had a thing for February 9. The gift, however, that February 9 brings with it is… Continue Reading “happy journey day”
May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on… Continue Reading “peace within”
In the summer, I like to hang potted plants from my house. My kitchen faces the backside of our home so I typically have a basket hanging in front of the window for part of the year. Before my daughter was born, I noticed… Continue Reading “lessons learned: letting nature take its course”
Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is… Continue Reading “a testament to living”
One More Sleep Til Christmas (words by Paul Williams, from The Muppet Christmas Carol) There magic in the air this evening Magic in the air The world is at her best, you know When people love and care The promise of excitement is one… Continue Reading “one more sleep til Christmas”
In 2006, I began a new path in my faith journey in a time that seemed riddled with challenges and questions. All at once, it seemed as if God was coming to me from ever direction, and she wasn’t taking “Let’s give it some… Continue Reading “a simple prayer”
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”
For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson Today, I was thinking about handprint turkeys. Seriously, I was. Oh, come on, if… Continue Reading “lessons learned: handprint turkeys, simplicity and gratitude”
I am sitting here at my kitchen table this morning peer out into the darkness. The storm is coming, and the early morning sky remains a shade of violet blue. All I see are dark silhouettes of trees gracefully swaying in the wind. As… Continue Reading “lessons learned: storms, trees, and being rooted in faith”
This morning on my brief stroll to pick kale for the girls, I glanced around the veggie beds. How empty everything seems, even with greens and cover crops. I miss the bright red tomatoes and climbing green beans that welcomed me each morning as… Continue Reading “lessons learned: mint and gumption”
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”
Prayer is not a product; it is a relationship. ~ Daniel Wolpert, Creating a Life with God: The Call of Ancient Prayer Practices Spending time in the kitchen or in nature is one of my favorite forms of prayer. In those places, God and… Continue Reading “lessons learned: what canning has taught me about prayer”
O Creator Lord, let me feel the “isness” of of things and people, without resistance, without trying to impose my own pattern upon them or exploit them for selfish ends. Let me welcome them, enjoy them, value them, love them, for what they are… Continue Reading “the “isness” of others”
Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves then listen close to me. . . Anything can happen, child. Anything can be. ~Shel Silverstein I am looking down at my… Continue Reading “lessons learned: anything can be”
A few years ago, I added the praise-and-amazement prayer, Wow. It’s the prayer of remembering to step outside when we are in monkey mind, or in bondage to self, or on the rat exercise wheel. The willingness to change or seek healing almost always… Continue Reading “Anne Lamott’s praise-and-amazement prayer”
I do not understand the mystery of grace — only that it meets us where we are and does not leave us where it found us. ~Anne Lamott
from the prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light;… Continue Reading “from the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi”