Grief with Jessica Field

In this wonder-filled episode of Mess Makes Meaning, we are joined by author, spiritual director, and educator Lacy Finn Borgo for a rich conversation about spiritual conversations with children. As we enter the mystery and anticipation of the Christmas season, Lacy invites us to slow down and listen more deeply to the wisdom, questions, and insights children bring to conversations about God, faith, and the sacred. Drawing from her work accompanying people on their spiritual journeys, Lacy shares how meaningful conversations with children often begin not with having the right answers, but with cultivating curiosity, presence, and openness. Together, we explore how parents, caregivers, and educators can create space for children to wonder aloud, ask big questions, and engage with the mysteries that are at the heart of the spiritual life. Throughout our conversation, Lacy reminds us that children are not simply learning about faith; they are active participants in discovering and experiencing it. Their questions, observations, and unique perspectives can offer profound insights for adults as well. As Christmas approaches, we reflect on how embracing wonder can help us encounter familiar stories in fresh and meaningful ways. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or ministry leader, this episode offers encouragement to listen deeply, wonder freely, and embrace the sacred conversations already unfolding in the lives of the children around you. Join us for this thoughtful discussion as we explore the gift of wonder, the wisdom of children, and the beauty of spiritual conversations during the Christmas season and beyond. To learn more about Lacy and her work, visit her website.

In this joyful and thought-provoking episode of Mess Makes Meaning, we are joined by Rev. Dr. Lakisha R. Lockhart, mother, wife, educator, theologian, consultant, advocate, and self-proclaimed coolest auntie around. As Assistant Professor of Christian Education at Union Presbyterian Seminary and Executive Secretary of the Religious Education Association, Lakisha brings a vibrant perspective to faith formation that embraces creativity, movement, play, and the wisdom of the body. Together, we explore the often-overlooked importance of play in the lives of children and adults alike. Lakisha invites us to reconsider play not as a luxury or distraction, but as an essential part of learning, growth, spiritual development, and human flourishing. Drawing from her work in Christian education, Womanist theology, and creative arts, she shares how play creates space for curiosity, imagination, connection, and deeper engagement with both faith and community. Throughout our conversation, Lakisha challenges us to honor play as the important work of childhood while also recognizing our own need for joy, movement, and creativity as adults. She offers practical insights into how families, educators, and faith communities can create environments where wonder and exploration are welcomed and encouraged. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or faith leader, this episode is a refreshing reminder that play is not something we outgrow; it is a vital part of what helps us learn, connect, heal, and thrive. Join us as we rediscover the sacred gift of play and its transformative role in nurturing the whole person.