I went for a short pondering walk around the park this morning. It was one of those walks that felt like a “thin place” where there is less divide between here and there. Normally the squirrels will scramble to a safe distance, with nut in tow. Today they just stayed on the edge of the [...]
Author: Marissa Neil
Lindsay’s Birthday
My baby girl sleeps cherub resting before her day. Seventeen now. My heart breaks for her new adventures college soon and more. Joy bursts out and pride just one more hug before you go. Be happy my sweet Lindsay your momma loves you and remember your way home. ❤️
Poem of Instruction: Reminders to my Future Self
I was invited to write a poem of instruction. Maybe some words of wisdom to my older self. Something I want to remind myself later to remember. Maybe on how to be a pilgrim or an artist or a creative or a monk, or how to be a writer or a contemplative… I am not [...]
The Hydrangea
I notice the hydrangea huge dried flowers dingy paper petals still standing showing itself in the cold amidst the snow without leaves without warmth yet still showing itself I understand the hydrangea saying I am here I am still here finding the courage to show even out of season out of plumage unpolished and faded [...]
Curiosity
Another writing prompt from my class (Week 4 of The Spiral Way: Celtic Spirituality and the Creative Imagination at abbeyofthearts.com) was: “What is your inner source of orientation? What is your inner compass?” So I begin to wonder....Is it to face east toward Maine? The forest? The lake? The trees? What is my inner compass?? [...]
The Moments Without the Oar
I've been taking an online class on spirituality and poetry (The Spiral Way: Celtic Spirituality and the Creative Imagination - abbeyofthearts.com). It was a four week class and the final class was a doozy with several writing exercises. The subject was pilgrimage, specifically a form of Irish pilgrimage called Peregrinatio. Irish monks would be prompted by [...]
Community
My brain is drafting a conversation about ‘comfort zone.’ In Sunday School today we talked about calling and how sometimes it can be hard to follow a calling because we are not willing to go outside our comfort zone. At the time, the thought of being willing to find a new comfort zone came to mind. [...]
Thirteen Years
I am reading the book Gently Awakened by Sara Joseph about the intersection of faith and art/creativity, about giving it all to God and letting God work through your art. In the chapter titled “The Precision of Timing," she talks about her dream of having an art studio. When she finally has one and is first setting [...]
Morning poem
I am not sure where to find You today, Lord, so I'll start here... It is still on the back patio except for the siren of the cardinal, the buzz of the bee, the peck of the woodpecker, and Molly rustling in the bushes. A mourning dove joins the chorus, and other songs and calls [...]
The Comfort of Crying: A Guest Post by Matt Schroeder
Today, I am sharing a post by one of my favorite seminary peeps, Matt Schroeder. He is a deep and compassionate soul and a great writer. Enjoy! The Comfort Of Crying I’ve never been good at crying. I try to shut it off as soon as possible. I come up with every reason why I’m [...]
