a quick word from the gardener

All I have today is a priestess prayer, for all those living out their calling under strained circumstances this week:

Jesus,
I feel the weight of responsibilities pressing in again.
It makes my steps heavy.
Delight feels far away.

And yet — you call me to stay where my body is.
Not to withdraw,
but to stand with an open chest.
Available and soft.
A peaceful warrior.

You have made me a priestess — not to stand above and apart, but to guide toward you from right here, in the midst.
To keep a clear path to the throne of grace.
To tend the fire of Your presence in my home.
To speak life and mercy when it’d be so much easier to self-preserve.

So today, be the priest for me.
Lead me to the joy of my Father’s presence.
Place the bread on my tongue.
Lighten my step.
Heal whatever keeps making me stomp instead of bless.

May I be embodied peace wherever I go.
A safe place.

I do not need to be diminished to be gentle,
or loud to be strong.
You walk beside me — and that is enough.

notes to explore:

on morning pages: a simple practice that’s reshaped how I notice and understand God’s presence.

strong and courageous: encouragement from the Spirit that I keep returning to as I reflect and repent.

delight: fire toes

more delights to inspire you →

today’s invitation

Flex your faith like a muscle.

When we need to stabilize our bodies — to move forward, or simply to lift our weary heads — we engage our muscles. These tissues grow stronger through regular use, so that when we need support, they’re ready to hold us.

And so it is with faith in Jehovah.

We may have just a mustard-seed of trust that says He is good. He is for me. He does not abandon me. He loves me.

To flex that faith looks like calling on it when support is needed most. We actively set our minds on things above, turning our attention towards truth, and then let the Spirit’s strength meet us there.

When I feel overwhelmed, I close my eyes and take Him up on His invitation to throw my worries at His feet and trade my burden for His.

When I am angry, I remember He too was angry, and that my God is a bringer of justice.

When everything feels like it’s falling apart, and I can’t see a way forward, I remember that He orders my steps — that there is a voice behind, gently saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”.

In the middle of the mess, flexing my faith often means quieting enough to hear Him whisper, Do you believe that I love you?

more on faith as a core muscle →

more on what it means to believe in the middle of things →

Thank you for going down the path with me today. If this is your first time, I encourage you to check out this note explaining the idea of the digital garden and what's up with the weird title 😄.

Peace to you! ✌️