Welcome to Nourish, a free monthly(ish) newsletter to help you be kinder to yourself and others. In your April 2025 issue: a poem (and writing prompt), prayer resources, poetry for children, new book recommendations and more!
Dear reader,
In honor of National Poetry month, I’m offering a poem for your introductory letter in place of prose. Please enjoy!
Where I've prayed (an incomplete list)
“Prayers are tools not for doing or getting, but for being and becoming.” —Eugene Peterson
At the foot of Hart Lake, wisps of breath swirling in the alpine air, marveling at the breadth of sky and pines and Cascade Mountains, feeling so small, feeling the expansiveness of God’s presence;
In Valparaiso University’s Chapel of the Resurrection for 10 p.m. worship, surrounded by classmates, basking in the glow of candlelight, cantoring “Jesus Christ is the light of the world — the light no darkness can overcome”;
On an operating table at Lutheran General Hospital, seeing my son Adam’s face for the first time, tears of joy rivening my cheeks, my heart full of awe and thanksgiving;
In the kitchen, peeling and chopping carrots, swishing the mirepoix in hot olive oil, delighting in each crack and sizzle;
At the beach in Cinque Terre, raking my fingers through sand, sweat beading at my chest, already sore from the day’s hike, already dreaming of the night’s gelato, young and alive and enamored with the world’s beauty;
Snuggled up in my sons’ bedroom, asking for forgiveness and safekeeping, pleading for peace, giving thanks for shelter, love and family;
On my yoga mat, arms splayed out wide, forehead and knees and palms pressing down, surrendering to gravity, my whole body curled in a posture of devotion;
At Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago, pausing in the aisles to notice how to the stained glass crafts a mosaic of color on the floor, lifting my eyes to the pews to see the ones who find sanctuary from the biting wind on a winter weekday, asking Lord, shelter them;
Flat on my back in the middle of a field of wildflowers, exasperated by negative pregnancy tests and abandoned drafts going nowhere and the isolation of the pandemic, lamenting the loss of life and lack of justice, searching the clouded sky for hope and answers, whispering, “God, are you out there?”;
Facing the altar of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Lakeview, cupping my hands to receive communion bread and wine, the blood and body of Christ, the grace that sets us free;
In the pages of my journal, scribbling thoughts, seeking wisdom, searching for direction, asking God, what would you have me do? How will you use me now? How can I attune my ear to your calling?;
At my childhood dinner table, fingers interlaced, head bowed, voice intoning “Come Lord Jesus, be our guest and let these gifts to us be blessed”;
One of the holiest places I prayed: In the woods near the North Branch Trail of the Chicago River with my son Jack, clutching a dandelion puff, scattering seeds into the breeze with one exhale, wondering where and when they’ll take root and blossom.
NOURISH YOURSELF
{writing prompt} Make your own “Where I’ve prayed” list. Use sensory details to describe important prayer moments. Consider why they might have stuck with you. Alternatively, you could write about wishes you’ve made — on birthday candles, at a fountain in the mall, on a star, etc. Are prayers and wishes the same? How have your prayers/wishes been answered? (If you write on this prompt and publish it, tag me or post a link in the comments section of this post.)
{prayer resources} God is always here for us and prayer is a tool we can use to navigate life’s challenges and give thanks for our blessings. I sometimes struggle with what we might consider traditional prayer — sitting in a church or at my bedside, folding my hands and reciting petitions. As evidenced in my introductory poem, we can talk or listen to God anywhere.
Prayers can be spoken or thought, sung or written. Prayers can be stitched or sculpted. Prayers may come in a form of protest or poetry. When we run, swim or walk, we might pray. While folding laundry, cooking a meal or doing dishes, we can pray. Breath prayers. Primal scream prayers. Tearful prayers. Cheering prayers. Prayer is how we connect with God — and God is always listening.
Some of my favorite prayer resources includeA Book of Uncommon Prayer by the late, brilliant Brian Doyle and
’s beautiful collection, To Light Their Way. Yoga with Adriene has provided me with a means of praying with my body when I had no words to pray. Meditation — simply breathing in and out and clearing my mind — is another sacred practice I lean on. And, something about listening to The Poetry Unbound podcast and walking outside opens my heart to the Spirit.
NOURISH OTHERS
{cultivate understanding} The increasing polarization of the United States’ political parties has left many citizens feeling disheartened. Democracy won’t work unless everyone collaborates to solve the problems facing our nation. Enter Braver Angels, a nonprofit organization working to cultivate dialogue between people who vote differently than each other. The organization provides educational programming and projects aimed at “Bringing Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic.” Sign up for a workshop and support their work here.
{poetry for kids} National Poetry Month isn’t just for adults. This April, share the gift of poetry with the children in your life. My youngest son Adam and I recently enjoyed an illustrated collection of Emily Dickinson’s poetry curated for kids. Next on our list? Shel Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends. You might also enjoy sharing this animated video of Mary Oliver reading “The Summer Day” with younger children. With older kids, find a short poem to memorize together, such as Psalm 23 (yes, the psalms are poems!). Or, write your own poetry with each other, trying out the acrostic form or haiku.
NOURISHING WORDS
from Kelsi Folsom’s Beauty Still Lives Here
On my nightstand
I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai is a novel that grabs you by hand, starts running and doesn’t let you go. Part murder-mystery, part tale of becoming, this book wrestles with misogyny, racism, predatory relationships and what happens when the stories we tell ourselves as children unravel.
44 Poems on Being with Each Other, compiled and analyzed by Pádraig Ó Tuama, offers poems that illuminate our relationships with family and friends, lovers and enemies, strangers and neighbors. This stirring collection is enhanced by its author’s warm, lyrical wisdom and sharp literary analysis.
Beauty Still Lives Here by Kelsi Folsom offers poems to accompany women through the middle years of motherhood. Filled with insights on vocation, faith, beauty and raising children, Beauty Still Lives Here reads like a deep conversation with an old friend and will leave you feeling seen and restored.
In Lutheran liturgy, there’s a component of worship during which a leader asks, For whom and what do the people pray?
So, in closing today, I want to know, how can I pray for you? Share your requests in the comments or by responding to this email.
Grace and peace,
Erin
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“So I brought it up in a desperate prayer Lord, why are you keeping me here? Then He said to me, ‘Child, I'm planting seeds I'm a good God and I have a good plan So trust that I'm holding a watering can And someday you'll see that flowers grow in the valley.’”
Oooh I’m going to look for that Emily Dickinson book! Thanks for these lovely words—what a great prompt, too.
I love this poetry prompt! Not to mention the poems you shared. A very nourishing newsletter indeed 🥰