The Graze V.169: The Comfort of a Question

Hi Friends:

What a lovely time of year to sit on the porch in front of the guesthouse at Mission Farm! It's the perfect spot to work, think, and watch the birds (and occasionally the bear!) while enjoying my morning tea. Sometimes, I'm even joined by the chickens as we watch the morning light break through the fog.

I also spend time on the porch chatting with people. Lately, I've noticed a common thread in these conversations. People of all ages and backgrounds are seeking faith and a life of intention. There's a desire for connection and a spiritual life that responds to the climate crisis. Our planet's health presents a deeply spiritual challenge. How can our desire for connection expand to include our spiritual concern for the environment? How are we connected to the distress of the earth and to the healing of our planet?

In a recent chat, a friend expressed a hunger and a comfort in exploring such questions—not for answers, but for a sense of belonging and connection to something greater than ourselves. Many have expressed a struggle with past religious experiences or traumas, which make them wary of claims of certainty from religious institutions.

As those gathered at Mission Farm (near and far), how can we live into this question: how might our spirituality lead us to deeper connection with one another and with God, while participating with the natural world to bring healing to our planet?

“Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to be understood. How grass can be nourishing in the mouths of the lambs.

How rivers and stones are forever in allegiance with gravity while we ourselves dream of rising.

How two hands touch and the bonds will never be broken.

How people come, from delight or the scars of damage, to the comfort of a poem.

Let me keep my distance, always, from those

who think they have the answers.

Let me keep company always with those who say

"Look!" and laugh in astonishment,

and bow their heads.”

― Mary Oliver, Evidence: Poems

May we each come, from delight or the scars of damage, to the comfort of a poem and the healing of our planet,

🌱 💚 Lisa