Waiting Well, With Joy and Play

An Invitation to Join Me in a Contemplative Spring 🌷🎙️

Season two begins with an invitation to slow down, step outside, and notice what God is doing—both in creation and within your own heart. As winter gives way to spring, we reflect on how God brings healing and renewal through the natural world, and how moments of stillness can open the door to deeper intimacy with Him. In this episode, Bethany shares from her own “wilderness” season and the quiet hope found in the first signs of life returning—reminding us that even when things feel frozen or uncertain, new life is still unfolding. Wherever you find yourself—emerging from a hard season or still walking through it—you’re invited to come along, slow down, and rediscover the steady, restoring love of God. Thanks for listening! I'd love to connect on Instagram at @beautiful_purpose_writing or Substack at Wildflowers in the Wilderness. You can also reach out on my website, bethanypeck.org [http://bethanypeck.org] Get full access to Wildflowers in the Wilderness at wildernesswildflowers.substack.com/subscribe [https://wildernesswildflowers.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Waiting Well, With Joy and Play

Wow! It’s the final episode of the first season of the Beautiful Purpose Podcast! Thanks for listening (or even just encouraging this new creative venture!) For this last conversation on how to wait well, we’re discussing embodiment through joy and play. I hope it will encourage you! The recent snow in Maryland was a sweet time of play for me with my dog Hunter, reminiscent of days with two dogs in the snow! And oh did they love snowballs! In the early days of my trauma, pain often felt overwhelming and sometimes those winter walks with snowballs, was simply a sweet reprieve from the ache. Year after year, winter after winter, my body and soul continue to heal, and the playtime became more vigorous, and more a sign of hope growing. Today’s poem recounts that :) The Delight of Dogs in the Snow A brisk morning chill hit my cheekswhile my gloved handsformed perfectly packed balls of snow,as my rambunctious companions ran circles around me.The snowballs fueled fascination,as I threw one after another to, and at, them.These clever creatures would search for the remainsof the fallen flakes in the vastness of further fluff.Oh did I laugh.And how good these giggles felt!Bubbles of surprise and joyat the silliness of such animals, my friends. What fun and pleasure,as morning light illuminated my embraceof rest and releasing,the simple goodness of a newly dawning day,learning to accept such giftsto be comfortable with these feelingsand safe in my jacketed skin.Nowhere to go, but to be present.Nothing to do, but just to be.No one to please, but only me.Just my precious Pointers,for a morning of play,of hope embodied,with a new song of gladness on my lips. And here’s a gif of both the dogs in 2022, before my precious Scout died unexpectedly and too soon… Thank you friends for your support and encouragement, your reading and your listening. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! Get full access to Wildflowers in the Wilderness at wildernesswildflowers.substack.com/subscribe [https://wildernesswildflowers.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Waiting Well, Looking for Light

Hello, friends! I’m Bethany, and I’m so glad you’re here! This December, I’ve been sharing a biweekly podcast series on Advent and waiting… with an encouragement to spend time in nature and even a challenge to write a poem a day! For the final two weeks of this first podcast season (and I’m praying and dreaming about the future of this venture!), we’ve been talking about how to wait well…for Christ’s return, and our own hopes and dreams in the here and now. Here’s my taking on looking for the growing light in our lives… Sight and the Soul The nights have been long,like my soul has felt tooand the cold has kept meunder bed coverswhile my heart has needed hibernation.I’ve been both afraidand befriending of the winter,wondering when the season of darkness will endwhile wishing I could keep cocooning,letting the rest restore to my core. But my canine companionhas pulled me from my comforton this morningand I’m stronger now,to set out alone,while he runs circles,and me, moving slowly, yet alive,gratitude grounding my stepsthat crunch the crystals of frosted terrainglittering like the stars that are starting to dim. In the depth of my eyeswhere sight signals emotion,the awakening brightnesssparks something warmas I watch for the dawn.What is it? I wonder,welcoming first light, as myoptic nerves receive the softening of deep blues,while sending a deeper messagethat starts to seep into my soul. The sun is just on the horizon now,and the night I once thought endlesshas let me leave shadows behind,while my slowed breath strengthened my lungsso I’m able to absorb the chill,and stretch my legs to go forward.All of me now knows it,the growing lightglows from within toofor a new day will soon be here. Gazing east, blazing light breaks,as beams of light filter throughtree limbs lifted like arms of praiseand every fiber of my beinghums along a song of wonder,for it’s not just Christmas morn,light has come to my life again.With eyes flitting for the brilliance,and my skin nipped by frosted air,this awaited day, these sensations showhow hope is enfleshed. Thanks for listening and happy poem writing! Get full access to Wildflowers in the Wilderness at wildernesswildflowers.substack.com/subscribe [https://wildernesswildflowers.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Waiting Well, Living Obediently

Beware of the brambles and thorns. Do you think that sometimes our suffering can blind us to our sin? It’s something I’ve reflected on a lot during my years recovering from betrayal, abuse, divorce, and a season of chronic pain. Yes, our suffering is often unexplainable and unjust, and yet… God still calls us to live obediently. Thanks for checking out this new podcasting venture, and today’s discussion on waiting well! Isaiah 9 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom,establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Get full access to Wildflowers in the Wilderness at wildernesswildflowers.substack.com/subscribe [https://wildernesswildflowers.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

How Do We Wait Well?

While we wait for Christ’s return… while we wait for answers, relief, dreams, and healing… how do we wait well? Biblical lament is a foundation. Less are hearts become frozen…. a poem of mine: Dethawing I. A reminder herethoughts that trail there,and I can sense,the temperature dropping,cooling in my heart.Loneliness fills the next day,while aloneness,starts to suffocate,taking the warm breath of life,with it, away from me.The change in the air,can be felt now.Fear and pain taunt;they prick every part of my body,a cold wind that stings.I am too afraid to relive,to risk again;too tender to try,this human thing,vulnerable embodiment.It’s frigid now;And I welcome it,the only way to survive,in this climate,I think.A freeze begins;Layer after layer of ice,Over my heart;the protection,I welcome.This frozen state,within me,is the right thing,for my deeply felt feelings,too tender to try anymore.The ice, overcomes;I don’t fight it.The weight is heavy inside;but at least I am safe,it seems. II. I’m fallingfalling,away from reality,the weight of a heart of ice,that I’ve allowed toovercome me,is too much to bear.A burdenthat I cannot carry,it pulls me,plunging medown,down,to depths,that cannot be navigated.All that stops me,is colliding,smashing into theice castlesI’ve built around me,places to house my memories,protect my grief,to keep it out of me,but still close by.And as ice collides with ice,a breaking begins. III. There’s a light,this morning,as I sit among the shards,forced to be still,from the wreckage.Sunshine hits the brokeness,these cracked pieces of ice,of my glacier heart,capturing color,reflections of beauty,that catch my eye.So fragile,like glass,I hold these pieces,with caution,as tears fall,touching,every painful piece of brokenness.A strange beauty,is becoming,in this mess,as I see and behold;a gratitude,to still be.My protective layering,melting away,and I am raw,frightened of what might touch me;and that’s when the colors cascade,I cry, at the beauty;seeping into my skin,and I let myself feel. Get full access to Wildflowers in the Wilderness at wildernesswildflowers.substack.com/subscribe [https://wildernesswildflowers.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]