
(photo of sparrow taken while sitting on a park bench in Riga, Latvia this summer)
-Christine Valters Paintner @ Abbey of the Arts

(photo of sparrow taken while sitting on a park bench in Riga, Latvia this summer)
-Christine Valters Paintner @ Abbey of the Arts
Christine Valters Paintner had a conversation on Creativity, Chronic Illness, and Contemplation with Mike Petrow on his podcast The Healer with a Thousand Faces (also available through audio podcast channels). Joins us in Lent 2027 for the retreat The Wisdom of Our Wounds: Chronic Illness
I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to our Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Jaqui Eicher’s reflection and poem. After reading Christine Valters Paintner’s poem, “St. Gall and the Bear,” I responded in writing to the prompt:

For Deeper Gratitude*Spirit of Generosity,we come to you with heartsoverflowing with gratitudefor your abundant creation.As we awaken each morning,help us to rememberthis day is a gift,this breath is a grace,this life a wonder.Remind uswith every flower we see,every act of kindness,every moment of connectionto something
6 Responses
amy and christine–it’s my favorite line, too! the photo is so wonderful. i am envious of you sharing space with that precious little creature. :-) the poem and photo are also a very nice way to end a busy day! ahhhh…
The little sparrow – we’ve fallen in love with them this year as two birdhouses were filled with at least 3 nests of new birdies in our backyard. Then the youngsters didn’t leave, they hung around and flocked across the yard from fence to fence, to birdbath, feeders and back. So much fun to see them. We’ve noticed the last couple of days that they’re inhabiting the houses again and wondering if they are going to settle in for the winter?
Thanks for the beautiful poem from Mary Oliver and your sharp little sparrow!
amy, that is my favorite line too. :-)
thank you Tess and Suz, Mary Oliver is always a great way to start anything!
Mary and Christine…I love you both!
What a wonderful way to start the week.
The photograph is stunning – as is the poem.
“they could not tame me, so they would not keep me”
love that.