growing grace farm
gardening + spirituality + homesteading + creation care
Tag: light
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”
“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 “”
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”
bathing in autumn light
The weather here in Western North Carolina has finally felt like autumn this weekend. I’ve been spoiled by work trips to Illinois and Maine earlier this season and have been waiting somewhat impatiently for it to cool off here in my hometown. (Whoever said… Continue Reading “bathing in autumn light”
lessons learned: paperwhites and epiphany
Today is Epiphany in the Christian church calendar. It marks the journey of the Magi to the Christ child and celebrates God being revealed to us as Jesus–coming into the world to experience both darkness and light just as we do and sharing the… Continue Reading “lessons learned: paperwhites and epiphany”
through the window
This morning, my time of prayer has included sitting on the futon in my meditation room and taking in the sunrise. I thought I might write a lovely post about Light or Change or New Beginnings that would reflect on what my prayer time… Continue Reading “through the window”
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”
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”
Wendell Berry’s The Peace of Wild Things
In honor of the UN’s International Day of Peace, September 21, 2015. 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… Continue Reading “Wendell Berry’s The Peace of Wild Things”
remembering this day
I’m sure many of us recall where we were when we first witnessed or heard the news about the World Trade Center or the Pentagon or Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. I recall being on vacation with our family, my child’s father turning on the… Continue Reading “remembering this day”
Mary Oliver’s When I Am Among the Trees
When I Am Among the Trees When I am among the trees, especially the willows and the honey locust, equally the beech, the oaks and the pines, they give off such hints of gladness. I would almost say that they save me, and daily.… Continue Reading “Mary Oliver’s When I Am Among the Trees”
Lenten reflection: bringing the gardens to light
In spite of a busy weekend, I managed to put aside a couple of hours on the warm Saturday afternoon and started cleaning out flower beds. As I surveyed my scratched up arms and legs this morning, this blog post came to mind from… Continue Reading “Lenten reflection: bringing the gardens to light”
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. John Watson (1850-1907) This morning as I got the dogs out of the car, I paused to rub LuLu’s… Continue Reading “our little LuLu”
Lenten meditation: when the light falls on the creeping jenny
Yesterday, my daughter, her boyfriend, and his sister helped me clean out the chicken run and coop in preparation for our chicken-raising adventure this Spring. As I was picking up wet leaves in the run, I found green springs of Creeping Jenny that have… Continue Reading “Lenten meditation: when the light falls on the creeping jenny”
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”
love letter to the world
I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world. ~Mother Teresa Shine your light, share your love–take the gifts and graces bestowed upon you and give them away freely and unconditionally. Then… Continue Reading “love letter to the world”
love is. . .
I was reminded this morning that Valentine’s Day is Saturday and so I thought that I might re-read some of my meditations on love and re-post a few over the next couple of days. ~cameron When I was little, my grandparents gave me a… Continue Reading “love is. . .”
morning mantras
As I continue to grow in the ways of my faith, I find that I have become a collector of prayer practices. It is quite a colorful collection to suit different moods, situations, and spaces. These simple acts of prayer are mine, and I… Continue Reading “morning mantras”
Stephen H. Ruppenthal’s May All Be Filled with Joy and Peace
May all be filled with joy and peace. May all beings everywhere, The strong and the weak, The great and the small, The meek and the powerful, The short and the long, The subtle and the gross: May all beings everywhere, Both seen and… Continue Reading “Stephen H. Ruppenthal’s May All Be Filled with Joy and Peace”
love is. . .
I’m reposting this one not only for Advent but also because I have been reading several books that remind me of the importance of growing love–in and of yourself so you can reflect love in and of those around you. It is not always… Continue Reading “love is. . .”
choose now
You are goodness and mercy and compassion and understanding. You are peace and joy and light. You are forgiveness and patience, strength and courage, a helper in time of need, a comforter in time of sorrow, a healer in time of injury, a teacher… Continue Reading “choose now”
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”
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”
shinin’ your light
Every so often this one begs to be reposted. Share your light~Cameron “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask… Continue Reading “shinin’ your light”
lessons learned: ripples on a pond
This past week, I had the honor of accompanying our youth group on their Carolina Cross Connection mission trip. It was a week that exceeded any expectations I had for their growth and mine. I continue to be in awe of how God awakens… Continue Reading “lessons learned: ripples on a pond”
Helen Keller’s wise words
I believe that God is in me as the sun is the color and fragrance of a flower– the Light in my darkness, the Voice in my silence. ~Helen Keller
Emily Dickinson’s A Light Exists in Spring
A Light exists in Spring Not present on the Year At any other period — When March is scarcely here A Color stands abroad On Solitary Fields That Science cannot overtake But Human Nature feels. It waits upon the Lawn, It shows the furthest… Continue Reading “Emily Dickinson’s A Light Exists in Spring”
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 reflection: bringing the gardens to light
Saturday, I spent my first Spring afternoon doing nothing but tending to the gardens. After months of working inside the house on many projects that needed my attention, the weather and my (nondriving) teenage daughter’s schedule aligned so that I had 4 hours free… Continue Reading “Lenten reflection: bringing the gardens to light”
lessons learned: the blessings of watering cans
You spread out a table before me, provisions in the midst of attack from my enemies; You care for all my needs, anointing my head with soothing, fragrant oil, filling my cup again and again with Your grace. Certainly Your faithful protection and loving… Continue Reading “lessons learned: the blessings of watering cans”
Wendell Berry’s The Peace of Wild Things
I believe I have posted this poem before as it is one of my favorites. As I was searching for a prayer about nature this morning, I came across this poem on another blogpost, literary lew. (read the post here.) Some mornings, the blogger… Continue Reading “Wendell Berry’s The Peace of Wild Things”
may the light of your soul guide you~an Irish blessing
May the light of your soul guide you. May the light of your soul bless the work that you do with the secret love and warmth of your heart. May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul. May the… Continue Reading “may the light of your soul guide you~an Irish blessing”
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”