Skip to Main Content
Women of the ELCA
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
  • Ministry & Action
    • Discipleship
    • Justice
      • Human Trafficking
      • Racial Justice Advocacy
      • Racial Justice Advocacy Network resources
      • Domestic Violence
    • Membership
    • Stewardship
      • Thankofferings
      • Faithful Friends
      • Katie’s Fund
      • Gift Planning
    • Special Initiatives
      • Raising Up Healthy Women & Girls
      • Dear Friend in Christ
    • Scholarships
      • Lutheran laywomen
      • Lutheran Ordained Ministry
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Events
  • About
    • History
    • Executive Board
    • Staff
    • Get Involved
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
« Back to WELCA Blog

How do you stay relaxed, connected, and refreshed?
by Guest blogger

8.13.2020
|
Post

This is a great time of year for someone like me. I love flowering plants, and I especially love trees. Unfortunately, I live in a second-floor city apartment with a small back porch. But every spring I shop for plants. And I fill planters and pots.

Once in a while, I wonder why I spend my (limited) time, money, and energy on this. Why do I work so hard to do something that almost no one can see or appreciate and that lasts for just a few months? I spend my precious spare time on designing (I actually make little diagrams of what flowers and colors I want and where), shopping, and then planting, watering, and doing battle with my squirrel friends to keep my little patch of nature looking beautiful.

There is no practical reason for this activity. Given the amount of sun and the small space, I don’t grow anything I could actually eat. I tried: One summer I planted tomatoes, basil, parsley, and nothing thrived. Only impatiens, petunias, and morning glories enjoy living in this space.

I love to see plants grow

I don’t relish getting dirty, sweaty, and tired, but every summer I do it. I love to see plants grow. There is something about the beauty of green things–the leaves, the flowers, the vines and stems, the smell of dirt–that gives me hope and joy.

Writer Anne Lamott once wrote, “puttering is my yoga.” Well, gardening is my yoga. I don’t have a great venue for it, but even with the limitations, I am grateful for what I can do and what it gives back. I feel closer to God when I am in the presence of trees and leaves, flowers, dirt, and rain. I feel relaxed, connected, and refreshed.

How about you? Do you have a garden? Do you enjoy being in the presence of plants and trees? Or do you have another hobby that gives you joy, connects you to God, and that helps you stay centered?

Kate Sprutta Elliott is the former editor of Gather magazine. This Throwback Thursday blog first ran in June 2014.

Photo by Anastasiia Chepinska on Unsplash

Share

Categories

  • Post (1,160)
  • News (283)
    • Gathering 2021 (9)
    • Triennial Convention 2021 (6)
  • Devotions (57)
Women of the ELCA
24h
Women of the ELCA
@WomenoftheELCA

How do you stay connected in uncertain times? We offer you links to videos and resources in our newsletter. conta.cc/3pSg8n7 pic.twitter.com/7BRbJATC3T

Expand reply reply retweet retweet favorite favorite
Back to home

8765 W. Higgins Rd.

Chicago IL 60631

800-638-3522

[email protected]

Stay In Touch

Sign up for the WELCA Newsletter

Explore WELCA
  • Ministry & Action
  • Daily Grace
  • Resource Library
  • Events
  • Blog
  • News
  • About WELCA
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Photos
Explore Publications

Bold Cafe

A Lutheran perspective for women of Christian faith or any woman who is interested in how faith relates to the issues facing women today.

Gather Magazine

A mix of articles, theological reflections, devotions and stories of comfort and challenge that help readers grow in faith.

Cafe Podcast

Subscribe to our podcast:

Click to subscribe

© Copyright 2021 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
© Copyright 2021 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.