Advent meditation: Love
After retiring to its new underground home, the seed adjusts to life in the Darkness. It takes some time, but after a while, it resigns …
spirituality
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. …
Mary Oliver’s Wild Geese
It is tradition for me to read this poem on the first morning I hear the geese migrating for both winter and summer. Even though …
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 …
lessons learned: root bound
When the world seems to bind us in ways that restrict, impede or obstruct our freedom and growth, I return to these words from six …
lessons learned: be love
On Friday, we promised the younger gardener-in-residence that we would take a trip up to Graveyard Fields on the Blue Ridge Parkway and pick blueberries. …
nourish then flourish
I have recently joined a collective of artists, writers, and practitioners who trust in the therapeutic aspect of nature and creation. Each in our own …
lessons learned: gratitude, grace, and chicken poo
Recently, I read about doing a running streak in Runner’s World – the point is to run every day from Memorial Day to the Fourth …
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 …
the columbine
This spring, the pandemic has slowed our go-go-go family down tremendously. Rather than running to various activities every afternoon, we’ve found ourselves focused on our …
lessons learned: My friend, 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 …
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 …
here I am, let it be with me
Mary is my girl. I’ve been sitting with her during Christmas for years now, and each Advent season, I come to learn more about God, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
lessons learned: resting in the Spirit (World Mental Health Day, October 10)
I shared this sermon at our contemplative service a handful of years ago during Mental Health Awareness Month in the UMC (May). In honor of …
Mary Oliver’s Wild Geese
It has become a meaningful tradition for me to return to this poem when I hear the first flock of Canadian geese making their way …
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, …
lessons learned: balance and sneezeweed
About a week or so ago, I had hit my limit–spiritually, emotionally and physically. Broken ribs, cluttered home, never ending projects, new transitions–all a part …
lessons learned: holy hummingbirds
Often, I share with people this bit of advice from the spiritual direction world–it if happens at least 3 times, then it’s probably the Holy …
the stories I could tell
the stories I could tellof dreams sweetly coursing through my veins filled with life and sustenance;of growth buried deeply within my cellsnot a choice or …
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 …
lessons learned: trucks, traffic and trust
I’ve been doing a lot of traveling for work recently. I enjoy the opportunity to meet new people, educate conference participants, and advocate for individuals …
living in the here
I have recently been re-reading Pádraig Ó Tuama’s book In the Shelter: Finding a Home in the World. I find it grounds me in ways …
tree of life
The other day, a young friend was helping me pick out some photos to frame for my first gallery showing. As we flipped through the …
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 …
journey
This morning, I thought I might try something a bit different with my post. A few minutes ago, I came across a photo that reminded …
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 …
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 …
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 …
anniversary
In February, eleven years ago, a handful of friends and colleagues, all women, were experiencing challenging times–single parenting, work stress, and life transitions. I chose …
the gift of words
You, like me, may have chanted this in your childhood: Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me. Sadly, as an adult, especially in the last handful of years, I have realized …
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. …
a visit with shadow
Over the weekend, Shadow showed up at my front door. I hadn’t invited her, but her visit was not unexpected. She has a tendency to …
seeking joy
On my professional travels with a colleague, we typically listen to podcasts as a way to decompress on the ride home. This past Monday, he …
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 …
“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 …
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 …
the edge of the stable
Yesterday, I spent some time quietly decorating my home for the winter season. With my parents’ move and my daughter’s independence journeying with me into …