Finding Grace in Everyday Life: A Conversation with Mary Wolfe

In a recent episode of SoulStream’s Living from the Heart podcast, we sat down with Mary Wolfe, a spiritual director whose life journey has been shaped by deep contemplative practices, resilience, and a unique connection to nature. Their conversation covered a wide range of topics, from early spiritual influences to the practices that help Mary cultivate a life of grace. This article highlights key insights from their conversation.

Spiritual Influences and Mystical Beginnings

Mary’s spiritual journey began at a young age, deeply influenced by her father, a contemplative preacher known for his inclusive views and dedication to peace. Reflecting on her childhood, she recalls how her father taught her about life’s mysteries, not through structured lessons but through his way of being. This approach planted seeds of a contemplative spirit within her, nurturing a lifelong curiosity about the unseen.

Mary also recounts a mystical experience at the age of thirteen, where she felt enveloped by a profound presence, a feeling of belonging and love. This experience became a foundational moment, informing her understanding of God’s unconditional love and sparking a hunger for deeper spiritual encounters.

The Homecoming Experience in Spiritual Direction

For Mary, the journey toward contemplative living is often marked by a sense of homecoming—a familiar feeling of returning to a place of deep belonging. As a spiritual director, Mary has witnessed how this homecoming experience profoundly impacts those she guides. She believes that spiritual direction can create a space where individuals feel held, where they can explore their spiritual longings and encounter a deep sense of connection.

“It’s a journey of receiving grace,” she explains, a phrase that encapsulates her understanding of spiritual direction and contemplative living. This homecoming is not something she can manufacture but rather something she holds space for—waiting for grace to unfold in its own time.

Nature as a Spiritual Teacher

Mary’s connection to nature runs deep. Growing up in an isolated community in British Columbia, she and her family learned to live off the land, a lifestyle that deeply connected her to the rhythms of nature. Today, her garden serves as both a source of sustenance and a sacred space where she encounters life’s cycles, from growth to decay.

In her garden, Mary finds “time doesn’t exist,” describing it as a place where stress fades and sorrow feels tender. She sees her garden as a metaphor for life’s impermanence. By tending the soil with care and reverence, she learns to let go, to embrace death as an integral part of life, and to cultivate gratitude for each season.

Living a Contemplative Life in Community

Mary’s spiritual journey has also been enriched by community, both through her friendships and the SoulStream community. She emphasizes that true friendship is a form of spiritual practice, providing the accountability and companionship necessary for growth. These relationships are not just social bonds; they are opportunities for shared contemplative experiences and spiritual deepening.

Even though SoulStream members are spread out, Mary finds that their gatherings offer an immediate, deep connection. “We jump right into deep conversation,” she says, a testament to the authenticity and trust shared within this community. For Mary, these friendships are as essential to her spiritual journey as prayer or meditation.

Practicing Reverence and Receiving Grace

Mary often returns to the concept of reverence, describing it as a way of approaching life with deep astonishment and awe. She believes that living a contemplative life is about learning to receive grace and recognizing the gift of existence itself. This grace is not earned or controlled but is freely given, inviting her into a life of gratitude, acceptance, and wonder.

One of Mary’s daily practices is to light a candle as a reminder of the “radiance” within her, a symbol of the divine presence that lives in all of us. This simple act grounds her, helping her listen for the wisdom and guidance of the Spirit in everyday moments. “It’s just living a really blessed life, blessed, blessed life, and embracing it,” she shares, describing her approach to spirituality as an invitation to embrace all of life’s experiences, both joyful and sorrowful.

Embracing Life’s Messiness with Grace

Mary understands that contemplative living does not imply avoiding life’s challenges, but rather, it involves welcoming them with a receptive heart. She describes her current life as filled with challenges, including health issues and significant life transitions. Yet she views these struggles as opportunities to experience God’s presence in new ways.

“The contemplative life is messy,” she says. “It’s not some quiet, dark, comfortable hole that you climb into and leave the world behind. It’s embracing whatever comes to us with grace.” This perspective helps Mary navigate life’s ups and downs with resilience, holding both joy and sorrow in a compassionate embrace.

Living in the Radiance of Grace

Throughout the conversation, Mary’s words remind us that contemplative living is not about perfection or control but about openness to life as it unfolds. It’s about seeing the sacred in the everyday and recognizing the divine in the ordinary. Whether through the act of gardening, lighting a candle, or sharing a heartfelt hug, Mary teaches us that grace is all around us, waiting to be received.

Mary’s journey inspires us to cultivate a contemplative approach to life, one that is grounded in reverence, sustained by community, and enriched by the beauty of nature. Through her example, we are invited to find grace in our own lives, to embrace both the messiness and the magnificence of our existence, and to walk through each day with open hands and an open heart.