growing grace farm
gardening + spirituality + homesteading + creation care
Tag: prayer
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”
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”
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”
86,400 seconds
blogger’s note: If you’ve been following me for awhile, you willl recognize this post. There are many iterations of it on this site as it is one of my favorites. The season of Thanksgiving is here, one of my favorites, and I’ve begun focusing… Continue Reading “86,400 seconds”
seeking restoration
It has been quite some time since I have been actively engaged in a faith community. I have been seeking, wrestling, discerning, and waiting, and quite frankly, I have begun to describe myself as feeling hollow. Not “without the presence of God” hollow, but… Continue Reading “seeking restoration”
the voices
This morning, I’ve had the gift of some alone time on the back porch as the world wakes up into Saturday. It did not take long for the birds to find the fresh food at the feeder and begin the lovely dance of taking… Continue Reading “the voices”
your prayers
Dear Friends and Family, About seven months ago, Bob and I started planning for me to have a space apart as a studio, meditation room, and spiritual direction office. After several twists and turns, we finally settled on a studio shed. Bob and I… Continue Reading “your prayers”
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”
baking bread
If you follow Growing Grace Farm on Instagram or Facebook, you know that I have been reading Salt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nosrat. My sweetheart and I came across the docuseries on Netflix, and immediately, I was taken. A woman who loves travel,… Continue Reading “baking bread”
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”
lessons learned: at the heart of it
When my sister and I were little, our mother would surprise us by serving an artichoke with our dinner. We found it magical to peel away the layers, scraping them with our teeth and savoring the small bit of goodness at the end of… Continue Reading “lessons learned: at the heart of it”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
a psalm of just be
from the newly released book Growing Grace: A Book of Psalms Celebrating Creation Eternal One, I confess that I long to sit within your silence, but I have become distracted by worldly concerns. I want to hear that still, soft voice of yours whisper in… Continue Reading “a psalm of just be”
oremus
On long journeys by car or by plane, I like to catch up on my favorite podcast On Being with Krista Tippett. Over the years, various poets, theologians, social scientists, and spiritual leaders have contributed to my personal faith formation through their commentary. Whether questioning or… Continue Reading “oremus”
birdsong
This morning as I surrendered to God on my yoga mat, I heard the loveliest song coming from a bird several trees away from my window. The call was crisp and clear, deliberate and delicate. It became my mantra for several moments as I… Continue Reading “birdsong”
prayer for re-creation
Compassionate Creator, Set me among these hills in the grass. Fill my spirit with the songs of birds and the whispers of wind. Let the tears flow warmly and silently, tempting my tongue with salty kiss, Then turn me loose from this sorrow releasing… Continue Reading “prayer for re-creation”
intentions
My message at our contemplative service for January 28, 2018. I did not write this sermon down, but the same gist is here. Well, we’re at the end of January, and I’m wondering how many of you made New Year’s resolutions? If you made… Continue Reading “intentions”
Walter Rauschenbusch’s prayer for thanksgiving
For the wide sky and the blessed sun, For the salt sea and the running water, For the everlasting hills And the never-resting winds, For trees and the common grass underfoot. We thank you for our senses By which we hear the songs of… Continue Reading “Walter Rauschenbusch’s prayer for thanksgiving”
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”
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”
you are here
Beloved, You are here in the morning light dappling the porch You are here in the chilly breeze tickling my neck You are here in the warm blanket tucked under my chin You are here in the squirrels playing and birds chirping You are… Continue Reading “you are here”
lessons learned: the gift of deep peace
Deep peace of the running wave to you. Deep peace of the flowing air to you. Deep peace of the quiet earth to you. Deep peace of the shining stars to you. Deep peace of the infinite peace to you. gaelic blessing This week,… Continue Reading “lessons learned: the gift of deep peace”
contemplative worship: pray your prayer
Elements from today’s Sanctuary service at Skyland UMC: Opening Meditation: My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. nor do I really know… Continue Reading “contemplative worship: pray your prayer”
morning mantra: praying with Spirit
During my morning yoga sessions, I usually spend time emptying myself and just let the Spirit move within. This morning, I found myself praying the mantra below. What was different about this time, however, was I heard two voices, my own and the Spirit’s. … Continue Reading “morning mantra: praying with Spirit”
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”
wild geese
This morning amidst the rustling trees and chattering hens, I heard them. I can’t say that even in the distance they were quiet. They flew over my head announcing a sign of what’s to come: a change of season. I prayed for the same. … Continue Reading “wild geese”
St. Catherine of Siena’s Rest in Prayer
The sun hears the fields talking about effort and the sun smiles, and whispers to me, “Why don’t the fields just rest, for I am willing to do everything to help them grow?” Rest my dears, in prayer.
Mary Oliver’s reflection on prayer
While at my spiritual direction residency, I was introduced to a poem about trees from Mary Oliver’s book Thirst. Upon returning home, I purchased the book and have held it close to my heart and spirit for the last couple of weeks. I never… Continue Reading “Mary Oliver’s reflection on prayer”
prayer of the heart
The prayer of the heart is the source of all good, refreshing the soul as if it were a garden. ~St. Gregory of Sinai (d.1360), Egypt
lessons learned: the benefits of a good soaking
It has been dry here the past couple of weeks, and my gardens have begun to suffer a bit. New seed starts wither and sunflowers stalks bow their heads. It is not a pretty sight. In an attempt to rescue my veggie starts, I… Continue Reading “lessons learned: the benefits of a good soaking”
Spring poetry and prayer
Lord, the air smells good today, straight from the mysteries within the garden of God. The trees in their prayer, the birds in praise, the first blue violets, kneeling. ~Rumi May all I say and all I think be in harmony with thee,… Continue Reading “Spring poetry and prayer”
Earth, teach me: an Ute prayer
I use this prayer in many of my teachings. It is one of my favorite, and in preparation for Earth Day this week, I thought I would post. Earth, Teach Me Earth teach me quiet ~ as the grasses are still with new light.… Continue Reading “Earth, teach me: an Ute prayer”
a meditation on silence by Mother Teresa
We cannot find God in noise and agitation. Nature: trees, flowers, and grass grow in silence. The stars, the moon, and the sun move in silence. What is essential is not what we say but what God tells us and what He tells others… Continue Reading “a meditation on silence by Mother Teresa”