Visit the Abbey of the Arts online retreat platform to access your programs:

Login Here
Back to all

Gifts of the Morning

We hit a record 98 degrees yesterday, but thankfully this morning is cool and delightful. Tune and I went for our usual walk and I fell in love with a vine blossom

-Christine Valters Paintner @Abbey of the Arts

You might also enjoy

Monk in the World: Mallory Morris

I am delighted to share another submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Mallory Morris’ photo essay on breathing deep and paying attention. Breathe deep; now look around. Breathe deep again; notice what sort of light

Read More »
February 11, 2026

Kinship with Creation ~ A Love Note from Your Online Abbess

For Kinship with Creation*God of lavish fecundity,you overflow into nature in every moment,offering your gifts of beauty and nourishment.Nurture me with sacred rhythms of light and dark,rising and falling, fullness and emptiness,as the pulse of your loving presence animates every living thing.Help me to remember

Read More »
February 8, 2026

Monk in the World Guest Post: Jo-ed Tome

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to the Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Wisdom Council member Jo-ed Tome’s reflection Slower. Softer. Simpler. I did not exactly set out to become a monk. If someone had

Read More »
February 4, 2026

4 Responses

  1. Pingback: Summer Poetry « The edible balcony garden

  3. Welcome Elaine, thank you so much for sharing your response. I love the way you tied both posts together. Blessings to you! Christine

  4. Yes, this is a beautiful, perfect question and I’m almost scared to respond because any response will be imperfect. But I’ve thought about this all afternoon (since I read the post) and I will say:

    On this summer day,
    I will love nature back

    And I will try, today and everyday, to live “the life of the new creation in which right relation to all the rest of God’s creatures is fully restored” (Merton, as quoted in your post yesterday).