There’s something sacred about the rhythm of spinning. The gentle pull of fiber through your fingers. The quiet whir of the spindle or wheel. The way time slows just enough for your heart to catch up with your breath.
This week, I wanted to share a simple practice that’s become part of my spiritual rhythm: spinning as prayer.
✨ Why Spin & Pray?
We often think of prayer as words. Spoken. Whispered. Written down. But there’s another kind — the quiet prayer of presence. The kind that happens when your hands are busy and your spirit is open.
Spinning wool offers that invitation. It lets us settle into stillness while our bodies stay gently in motion. It becomes a space to:
Offer our worries and hopes
Sit with grief, joy, or longing
Hold names of loved ones in our hearts
Simply rest in God’s presence
📖 A Scripture for the Spinner’s Heart
“In quietness and trust is your strength.” – Isaiah 30:15
This verse has anchored me more times than I can count. In the stillness of crafting — especially spinning — I have found a quiet. This quiet not only calms the mind but also nourishes the soul.
🙏 How to Try It
Want to spin and pray with me? Here’s how you can try it:
Set a gentle mood Light a candle. Play soft music. Sit somewhere peaceful.
Gather your fiber and spindle or wheel Nothing fancy is needed — just what feels right in your hands.
Start with a deep breath Let go of your to-do list. Let your shoulders drop. You’re here now.
Spin and listen You don’t need words. Just the rhythm. Just the wool. Just the moment.
If a prayer rises up, say it If not, let the spinning be the prayer.
🧘 A Space for Everyone
You don’t need to be “religious” to find meaning in this practice. Spin & Pray is for anyone seeking a little more peace, presence, and purpose in their craft.
You can sit with me during one of these moments. I’ve shared a new video on YouTube. In it, we spin and pray together. You’re warmly invited.
There’s a sacred quiet that settles in when I sit down to spin or knit. The world slows. The chatter softens. And in that stillness, something deeper begins to stir: grace.
Grace shows up in the ordinary It’s in the way the yarn stretches just far enough to finish the row. Or when the spindle spins true, even after a long day. It’s the sigh of relief when the colors blend just right. It’s also when your hands remember a rhythm your mind had forgotten. Nothing flashy. Just the quiet kindness of things working together.
Crafting is a way of praying. You use your hands for this prayer. Colossians 3:23 (NIV): “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
I often say that knitting is my way of keeping a quiet conversation going with God. Each stitch holds a moment, a breath, a hope. Spinning wool feels the same. The fibers remind me that slow is good. Twists and turns are part of the story. There is calm in that letting go.
When life feels messy, crafting provides it with form and structure. There’s something healing about watching chaos turn into order. A tangled skein turns into a neat ball. Scraps become a blanket. Roving transforms into yarn. Crafting reminds me that transformation takes time and that even messiness has its purpose.
You don’t have to make something perfect. Just make Grace doesn’t demand perfection. It welcomes presence. Whether you’re pulling stitches back or trying a new pattern, grace sits beside you and says, “It’s okay. Keep going.” And calm follows when we stop measuring success by speed or flawlessness.
So light a candle. Make a cup of tea or your favourite beverage. Pick up your needles, your spindle, your cloth. Let your craft become your quiet sanctuary—a place where grace can find you.
What Acts 6 Teaches Us About Leadership and Courage
In the early days of the church, something beautiful and messy happened — growth. But as more people joined, real needs began to surface. Acts 6 gives us a powerful glimpse into how the early church handled conflict, raised up leaders, and lived out their calling with Spirit-filled courage.
Here are five lessons we can draw from this chapter — and from Stephen, a servant full of grace and power.
1. Growth Brings Growing Pains
As the number of disciples increased, so did the challenges. A dispute arose over the care of widows, revealing gaps in the church’s support system. Instead of ignoring the issue, the apostles listened and acted.
Real ministry isn’t free from conflict — it faces it with wisdom. When our churches or communities grow, we must also grow in grace, structure, and communication.
2. Delegation Requires Discernment
The apostles didn’t try to do everything themselves. They said: “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables” (Acts 6:2). So they appointed seven Spirit-filled individuals to care for the practical needs of the community.
Healthy delegation isn’t about handing off chores — it’s about sharing purpose. Everyone has a role in building the kingdom. Word and deed go hand in hand.
3. Character is the First Qualification
When choosing leaders, the early church looked not at resumes, but at hearts. They chose men “full of the Spirit and wisdom.” Stephen stood out as “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.”
The Spirit-filled life doesn’t start on a stage — it starts in quiet faithfulness. Leadership in God’s eyes begins with integrity, prayer, and a surrendered heart.
4. Spirit-Filled Witness May Bring Resistance
Stephen didn’t stay hidden in administrative duties. He preached boldly, performed signs, and shared the gospel with clarity and power. This drew opposition from those who couldn’t stand against the wisdom the Spirit gave him.
When you live boldly for Christ, resistance will come. But so will strength — not from us, but from the Spirit who speaks through us.
5. A Life Close to God Will Shine
As false witnesses rose up against Stephen, something remarkable happened. “They saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” Stephen’s countenance reflected his closeness to God — even under pressure.
We may not always perform miracles. Yet, we can show God’s glory in the way we live. We can reflect it through how we serve and stand firm.
Final Thoughts
Acts 6 reminds us that serving tables and standing before councils are both sacred when done in the Spirit. Stephen shows us that leadership is about more than skills. It’s about courage, grace, and being rooted in God’s presence.
Want to live a Spirit-filled life? Start by serving. Stand in truth. And let your life shine with grace.
3 Questions to Consider Before Your Next Wardrobe Purchase
Slow Fashion can look like this:
Can also look like this:
1. How does slow fashion support the environment?
Reduces textile waste
Favors natural, biodegradable fibers
Limits overproduction and shipping emissions
Encourages long-lasting, quality garments
2. How does slow fashion promote ethical labor?
Supports fair wages and safe working conditions
Highlights local artisans and small-scale makers
Values craftsmanship over mass production
Fosters transparency in the supply chain
3. What values do I want my clothes to show?
Simplicity and intentional living
Cultural preservation and creativity
Sustainability and mindful consumption
Emotional connection to what you wear
✨ Final Thought: Slow fashion is not just a trend—it’s a mindset. It invites us to make thoughtful choices that show care for people, the planet, and ourselves.
✨ Ready to rethink your wardrobe? Hit like, and subscribe, and share this post to spread the slow fashion movement. Tell us in the comments: What value matters most to you when choosing clothing?
I challenged myself to spend an entire week eating meals. These meals were made from ingredients sourced within a 100-mile radius of my home. The idea was simple but profound. I wanted to deepen my connection to the land. It was also about supporting local producers and exploring what it means to truly eat “close to home.”
Here’s a glimpse into what I ate—and what I discovered along the way.
🍳 Day 1: A Breakfast Grounded in Home
Meal: Scrambled eggs with local cheddar, served on English muffins from Oakrun Farm Bakery (Brantford)
Local sources: Eggs from the farmers’ market, cheese from a regional dairy
Reflection: Starting the day with food grown and made nearby felt grounding. No fancy ingredients—just simple, satisfying nourishment.
🥣 Day 2: Soup for the Soul
Meal: Carrot, potato, and onion soup with homemade stock
Local sources: All vegetables from a local farm store; stock made from leftover bones from a locally raised chicken
Surprise: The flavour was richer than expected—fresh produce really does make a difference.
Reflection: I felt connected to the rhythm of seasons and soil.
🧀 Day 3: Plough-man’s Lunch
Meal: A rustic plate of local cheese, apples, sourdough bread, and pickled veggies
Local sources: Apple orchard just 15 minutes away; pickles canned last summer
Reflection: This felt like a picnic from another era—slow, thoughtful, rooted in tradition.
🥘 Day 4: Comfort in a Casserole
Meal: Ground beef and rice casserole with herbs from the garden
Local sources: Grass-fed beef from a farm visit last fall; rice sourced regionally
Reflection: Planning ahead (and freezing local meat) makes this lifestyle more doable than I thought.
🥕 Day 5: Veggie Skillet Supper
Meal: Cabbage, carrots, onion, and sausage all tossed together in a skillet
Local sources: Veg from the local stand; sausage from a family-run butcher
Surprise: How much I didn’t miss anything “exotic.” This was deeply satisfying.
Reflection: Eating locally doesn’t mean boring. It means seasonal, vibrant, and flavorful.
🥚 Day 6: Brunch for Dinner
Meal: Local eggs, fried potatoes, toast, and rhubarb preserves
Local sources: Everything within 50 miles—truly a feast from close to home
Reflection: There’s something joyful in keeping it simple and making it special.
🍎 Day 7: Sweet Ending
Meal: Baked apples with oats and a splash of cream
Local sources: Apples from the orchard, oats from a nearby mill, cream from a local dairy
Reflection: A week of eating local ended on a sweet note—and I wasn’t craving anything else.
💭 What I Learned
Planning is essential. Local eating takes more intention but less complication than you’d expect.
The taste is better. Fresher food, fewer miles, and a story behind every bite.
It’s about connection. To farmers, seasons, neighbours, and your own values.
This week reminded me that food isn’t just fuel—it’s a relationship. And when that relationship is rooted in care, proximity, and community, every meal becomes a moment of grace.
This Lent, I didn’t give something up. I picked something up—my needles and yarn. (scroll down for video)
Every evening, I sat down with ten simple stitches and knit my way toward Easter. This year, I chose to create a Lenten blanket. It was a quiet project with no pressure. I worked on just small, modular squares of color and calm. What I didn’t expect was how this simple act would become my prayer.
Knitting as Devotion
The blanket wasn’t intricate. Each square was small—ten stitches across and ten back again. But that simplicity was the beauty of it. It allowed space. Space to listen, space to breathe, space to pray.
Each time I picked up my needles, it felt like I was entering into something sacred. My body slowed. My heart quieted. The rhythm of stitch after stitch became the rhythm of prayer—not always with words, but always with intention.
Prayer in Colour and Silence
Some evenings, I prayed for loved ones as I knit. Other times, I simply breathed deeply and let the yarn run through my fingers. The colours I chose came from bits of my handspun—nothing planned, only that each was different from the last. I wasn’t choosing a palette—I was choosing presence. Whatever felt right in the moment became part of the story.
There was no chart and no big goal. There was only the promise to knit one colour each day through the forty days of Lent. That small act became my grounding.
Grace in Every Stitch
It’s funny how something so ordinary can become sacred when you give it space.
There were moments of grace along the way. A square finished just before bed provided comfort. A color unexpectedly brought peace. One night, knitting was the only thing that kept the anxious thoughts at bay. I didn’t need to do anything heroic this Lent. I just needed to show up. Yarn in hand. Heart open.
From Good Friday to Resurrection Joy
As Holy Week approached, the blanket grew heavier in my lap. Each rectangle held the quiet prayers and honest questions I’d whispered throughout the season. And on Easter Sunday, when the final stitch was made, it felt like more than a finished project. It felt like resurrection.
Not because the blanket was perfect—it wasn’t. But because I was different. I had made space for stillness, for prayer, for grace.
An Invitation
If you’re longing for a gentler spiritual practice, I invite you to pick up something small and handmade. A needle, a spindle, a scrap of yarn. Let your hands lead the way. Don’t overthink it. Just start.
You find, like I did, that God meets you in the rhythm of your craft—one stitch at a time.
So often, we think of grace as something grand—a divine moment wrapped in light, a miracle, or a profound transformation. But what if grace is also hidden in the simple things? In the barely noticeable pauses. In the timing of a pot just before it boils dry. In the breath you didn’t know you needed until you took it.
Grace is when you expect disaster and instead find relief. You rush to the stove and catch the pot just in time. That tiny rescue, that breath of “thank goodness,” is grace. It’s not dramatic. But it’s real.
We don’t often recognize ordinary life as a place where grace lives. We overlook the everyday rhythms of making tea, folding laundry, walking to the mailbox. But maybe grace shows up right there—in the normal, the unnoticed.
Like when it rains on a day you’ve secretly been longing to slow down. That shower from the sky feels like permission to breathe. To rest. To stay home and not feel guilty about it. Is that not a grace?
Or when a loved one responds with gentleness instead of anger, with kindness instead of criticism—those are grace-filled moments too. Little glimpses of love where we braced for something less.
Grace can surprise us in worship too. When you say something simple and someone’s response is so heartfelt, so affirming, it stays with you. You didn’t expect it. You didn’t ask for it. But you feel lifted. That’s grace.
So grace isn’t always dramatic or dazzling. Maybe grace often looks like ordinary life simply unfolding. It can catch your heart off guard. It makes you whisper, “Thank you.”
As I look back on the past six weeks, I’m filled with a sense of gratitude and spiritual growth. Lent is often seen as a season of sacrifice. In reality, it has been a time of deep reflection. It has also been a time of surrender and renewal. Throughout this journey, I’ve had the opportunity to embrace the disciplines of prayer. I’ve also embraced fasting and service. Throughout this time, I’ve been trusting more fully in God’s plan for my life.
Each week brought a new focus. There was a fresh theme to ponder. It offered a chance to dive deeper into the heart of what this season is all about. From the start, I understood it wasn’t just about giving something up. It was about creating space for God to move and transform my heart. The weeks unfolded with lessons on patience, trust, forgiveness, creativity, and ultimately, the powerful hope of resurrection.
In this post, I want to share a reflection on my Lenten journey. I will recount the themes that guided me each week. I will also share the ways in which they shaped my faith. Whether you joined me during this season or are discovering these insights now, I hope this retrospective offers a glimpse. It delves into the deep spiritual work. I want to convey the significant impact of this journey. It shows what God can do. This happens when we commit to a season of intentional devotion.
Week 1: Preparation and Reflection
Focus: Setting the tone for Lent with intention, sacrifice, and spiritual renewal.
Key Topics:
Introduction to Lent and its purpose.
Understanding fasting and prayer as tools for spiritual growth.
Cultivating gratitude and trust in God.
Reflection on setting a personal spiritual goal for the season.
Week 2: Trust and Sacrifice
Focus: Strengthening faith through trust in God’s provision and sacrifices.
Key Topics:
Learning to trust God’s timing and plan.
Exploring the deeper meaning of sacrifice in daily life.
Overcoming distractions and deepening prayer practices.
Serving others as an act of worship and showing humility.
Week 3: Patience and Endurance
Focus: Developing perseverance, patience, and endurance in faith.
Key Topics:
Embracing the daily disciplines of prayer, scripture, and quiet reflection.
Reflecting on repentance and turning back to God.
Practicing patience in life’s challenges and finding peace in waiting.
Generosity and releasing fear in relationships.
Week 4: Forgiveness and Renewal
Focus: Fostering forgiveness and embracing the renewal of spirit.
Key Topics:
Understanding the power of forgiveness and grace.
Renewing faith in times of struggle and difficulty.
Surrendering control and learning to trust fully in God’s will.
Letting go of burdens and embracing peace.
Week 5: Creativity and Surrender
Focus: Connecting faith with creativity and deepening trust through surrender.
Key Topics:
The connection between faith and creativity, finding God in your work.
Silence, solitude, and rest as spiritual practices.
Honoring commitments to God and others.
Surrendering control and trusting in God’s direction.
Week 6: Holy Week and Resurrection
Focus: Reflecting on the journey to the cross and the hope of resurrection.
Key Topics:
Preparing for Holy Week and reflecting on the humility of Christ.
The significance of Good Friday and the suffering of Christ.
The quietness of Holy Saturday and waiting in hope.
Celebrating the resurrection and new life that comes through Christ.
Closing Thoughts
As I think about these six weeks, I’m reminded of the power of intentional time with God. Lent has been a season of renewal, surrender, and transformation. Each week brought new insights that deepened my faith, and though the journey wasn’t always easy, it was always meaningful.
I encourage you to carry the lessons of this season onward—whether through prayer, service, or quiet reflection. The peace of Christ and the hope of the resurrection continue to guide you.
There’s a beautiful, intimate moment in the Gospel of John (20:11-18). As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, this moment invites us to think about the personal call of Jesus. It highlights the nourishment He offers us through His resurrection. This passage tells the story of Mary Magdalene’s meeting with the risen Christ. Through this powerful meeting, we see themes of grief, recognition, transformation, and spiritual nourishment. Let’s take a closer look at how this meeting can speak to our hearts today.
1. Grief and the Empty Tomb (John 20:11-13)
Mary Magdalene stands outside the empty tomb, weeping. She has just lost Jesus, and all she can think about is her grief. Her sorrow is so deep that she doesn’t instantly recognize that Jesus is standing right before her. She is blinded by her pain and incapable of seeing the hope that is right in front of her.
We can all relate to Mary’s sorrow. We’ve all experienced loss. It is the death of a loved one. It is the end of a season in life. Or it be the loss of hope. Grief can sometimes feel overwhelming, and it can be hard to see past our pain. Yet, the empty tomb reminds us that even in our darkest moments, God is at work. The resurrection is a powerful reminder that hope can emerge from despair.
2. Jesus Calls Mary by Name (John 20:14-16)
In the midst of her sorrow, Jesus calls Mary by name: “Mary.” The moment she hears her name spoken by Jesus, her grief turns to joy. She recognizes the risen Lord. Jesus’ call is personal. It’s not just a call to the masses; it’s a call to Mary—and it’s a call to each of us.
In our own lives, there are times when we feel lost, lonely, or distant from God. But just like Mary, Jesus calls us by name. He knows us intimately. In those moments when we’re struggling, He is right there, calling us into His presence. He invites us to leave our sorrow behind and find new life in Him.
3. The Bread of Life—Jesus Offers True Nourishment (John 20:17-18)
After Mary recognizes Jesus, her grief is transformed into joy, and she becomes the first messenger of the resurrection. Her meeting with the risen Christ completely changes her. Jesus, in this moment, offers her more than just a comforting word; He offers her the Bread of Life—Himself.
In John 6:35, Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Jesus is the true nourishment for our souls. He doesn’t just feed us physically; He satisfies our deepest spiritual hunger. In Him, we find what our hearts have always longed for—peace, hope, love, and life eternal.
Mary’s meeting with Jesus reminds us of something important. When we come to Jesus, we are invited to feast on the Bread of Life. As we do, our grief is turned into joy, and our lives are transformed. Just as we eat to nourish our bodies, we must also come to Jesus to nourish our souls.
4. The Transformation of Mary (John 20:17-18)
Once Mary encounters the risen Christ, she is no longer the same person. Her sorrow has turned into a message of hope. Jesus tells her to go and share the good news with His disciples. She becomes the first to proclaim the resurrection.
Mary’s transformation shows us that when we meet the risen Jesus, we are not meant to keep it to ourselves. We are called to share the hope we have in Christ with others. We are invited to take the nourishment we’ve received from Him and offer it to a hungry world.
Conclusion
The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical event—it is a living reality that continues to transform us today. Jesus calls each of us by name and invites us to feast on the Bread of Life. This meeting with Jesus brings us from sorrow to joy, from grief to hope. It transforms us, and like Mary, it sends us out to share the good news with others.
So, take a moment today to think about how Jesus is calling you by name. Are you ready to come to Him for nourishment? Are you ready to share the hope of the resurrection with those around you?
Closing Prayer:
Lord, thank You for calling us by name and offering Yourself as the Bread of Life. Help us to recognize Your presence in our lives, especially in our moments of sorrow. We feast on the nourishment You offer and be transformed by Your love. Empower us to share the good news of Your resurrection with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Quiet Moments of Profound Impact Life often presents us with moments. These moments, though silent, speak volumes. They occur in times of brokenness, darkness, and seeming hopelessness.
Sustenance in Uncertainty In these challenging times, we find spiritual nourishment in the Bread of Life, symbolizing Christ’s enduring presence.
The Significance of Good Friday Today, we remember and mourn the crucifixion of Jesus. Yet, we hold onto hope, knowing that Sunday is coming.
A Day of Preparation Good Friday serves as a time to prepare our hearts and minds. It leads us into the solemn waiting of Saturday.
Seeking Christ in the In-Between As we navigate the space between sorrow and resurrection, we ask:
Where do we find our spiritual sustenance now?
How do we experience Christ’s presence in our current struggles?
Embracing the Bread of Life Jesus remains with us—in our grief, our doubts, and our waiting—offering love, holiness, and hope.
Reflective Practices During this period, consider:
Engaging in prayer and scripture reading
Spending time in nature to feel connected to creation
Observing fasting or other spiritual disciplines
Contemplating the symbolic meanings of bread and light
Anticipation of Renewal Today feels dark. We look ahead to the light of resurrection. This brings the promise of new beginnings.
This Good Friday, we find comfort in the enduring presence of Christ. He is the Bread of Life. Let us hold onto the hope that Sunday brings.
