growing grace farm
gardening + spirituality + homesteading + creation care
Tag: hope
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”
Growing Grace Podcast: The Longest Night
What if you could step outside your door and find a space for connection with yourself and God — a time apart to center your soul and renew your spirit. This podcast invites listeners to get out of their heads and out into nature… Continue Reading “Growing Grace Podcast: The Longest Night”
it’s more than a quarter
It’s more than a word of affirmation. It’s more than a smile. It’s more than a handhold. It’s more than a greeting. It’s more than a quarter. I love shopping at Aldi. Where else can you get organic veggies and fruit that don’t break… Continue Reading “it’s more than a quarter”
This song has filled the quiet of my home this morning, filling my heart with hope and love. I am reposting this one today as a new tradition of sorts. Every year, I seem to find a Christmas song or hymn that captures my… Continue Reading “”
a psalm of hope
from the newly released book Growing Grace: A Book of Psalms Celebrating Creation Our Healer, our Hope, We greet you in the morning with fresh faces turned toward the sun. You warm our skin and our hearts with your light. You envelop us in your… Continue Reading “a psalm of hope”
the things we carry: songs and sacred spaces
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”
lessons learned: hummingbirds and hope
I wrote this post a couple of summers ago, and in looking for hope today, I came across this one. ~cameron In the past couple of weeks, I have found myself taking refuge on my screened-in porch during times of day when the birds… Continue Reading “lessons learned: hummingbirds and hope”
finding my voice
On Monday this week, I marched along with thousands of others in honor and memory of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The diversity of voices from inquisitive preschoolers to wise elders filled my ears with hope and love and justice. This morning,… Continue Reading “finding my voice”
the psalm of hope
I wrote this psalm several months ago when I found myself questioning God about why certain events had come to pass–events that seemed to benefit the oppressors and create suffering among the oppressed. During that time, I turned to the psalms in the Bible… Continue Reading “the psalm of hope”
birdsong
“Hope” is the thing with feathers – (314) BY EMILY DICKINSON “Hope” is the thing with feathers – That perches in the soul – And sings the tune without the words – And never stops – at all – And sweetest – in the… Continue Reading “birdsong”
the psalm of waiting
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”
sermon: hope springs eternal (expecting the unexpected)
I wrote this sermon at 4pm yesterday and shared its message this morning. It was not my original sermon, but when the Holy Spirit moves, you know it’s not an option to ignore it–even if it is 4pm the day before your Sunday to… Continue Reading “sermon: hope springs eternal (expecting the unexpected)”
lessons learned: hummingbirds and hope
In the past couple of weeks, I have found myself taking refuge on my screened-in porch during times of day when the birds feed. Whenever I begin to question humanity or grieve for this world, I find that sitting among nature roots me in… Continue Reading “lessons learned: hummingbirds and hope”
rainbow in the clouds
Many years ago, I had the honor of attending a talk by Dr. Maya Angelou at Mars Hill College near my hometown of Asheville. My seat was near the back so there was no hope of seeing her facial expressions or appreciating the nuances… Continue Reading “rainbow in the clouds”
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”
Jan Richard’s healing blessing
These words found me last night, and for that, I am grateful. ~cameron And All Be Made Well A Healing Blessing That each ill be released from you and each sorrow be shed from you and each pain be made comfort for you and… Continue Reading “Jan Richard’s healing blessing”
Lenten reflection: the Potter
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”
one more sleep til Christmas
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”
lessons learned: the mosaic of brokenness and wholeness
This coming Sunday, a dear friend and I will be co-leading a “Longest Night” service. Designed for healing and peace, this worship opportunity is often offered on the longest night of the year, the night when Darkness wraps her arms around us and holds… Continue Reading “lessons learned: the mosaic of brokenness and wholeness”
the gentle whispers of hope
For many people of faith, the time between November and January includes many different spiritual traditions and holidays. While I am Christian, my approach during this season is to include themes that are embraced by many faith traditions. It has always been my prayer… Continue Reading “the gentle whispers of hope”
silent snow
I am reposting this one because we are on our third year of cold, wet winters, and I am longing for snow. Today may be the day it happens, and my spirit will be joyful! Out of the bosom of the Air, Out of… Continue Reading “silent snow”
a great believer of hope
These are the words I am sitting with this morning as I meditate on hope. I am not an optimist, but a great believer of hope. I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps… Continue Reading “a great believer of hope”
lessons learned: ladybugs and 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 lost plants… Continue Reading “lessons learned: ladybugs and hope”
Mary Oliver’s Song of the Builders
Song of the Builders On a summer morning I sat down on a hillside to think about God – a worthy pastime. Near me, I saw a single cricket; it was moving the grains of the hillside this way and that way. How… Continue Reading “Mary Oliver’s Song of the Builders”
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”
believe more deeply
Believe more deeply. Hold your face up to the light, even though for the moment you do not see. bill wilson – cofounder alcoholics anonymous
lessons learned: sun, rain, blight and balance
This farming season began in late January with Mason jars, soil, a sunny spot in the den, and hope. By mid spring, plants warmed their toes in my newly cultivated soil, and the first of the early vegetables graced our table. I’ll admit, I… Continue Reading “lessons learned: sun, rain, blight and balance”
Speaking light, hope and love as a part of creation care
Earlier this week, I planned the liturgy for today around Earth Day to celebrate creation and all that God calls us to be as stewards of this global community. As the week progressed, I experienced a deep sadness for the events occurring in Texas… Continue Reading “Speaking light, hope and love as a part of creation care”
living in the spirit
Dear God, be all my love, all my hope and all my endeavor; let my thoughts and words emanate from you, let my daily life be lived in you, and let every breath I take be filled with joy for you. Amen. After St… Continue Reading “living in the spirit”
a testament to living
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”
rest, nature, books, music, love for one’s neighbor
A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people to whom it is easy to do good, and who are not accustomed to have it done to them; then work which one hopes may be of some use;… Continue Reading “rest, nature, books, music, love for one’s neighbor”
one more sleep til Christmas
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”
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”
a simple prayer
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”
lessons learned: what feathers and fur can teach us about love
When this quote found me this morning, I thought, “What a great transition from hope to love!” And so we begin week 2 of Advent meditating on love and how, oftentimes, it lights the way. Hope is not about proving anything. It’s about choosing… Continue Reading “lessons learned: what feathers and fur can teach us about love”
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”