Rooted + Rested - Embracing Peace And Rest Through Faith And Self-Care...and a touch of Lavender

Lisa | Rooted + Rested
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Rooted + Rested is a podcast for women who need to remember they are not forgotten—remembered by God, rooted in Him, and invited to find true rest in His presence. Through personal stories, biblical encouragement, and Lessons in the Lavender, host Lisa Hartzler shares what God is teaching her about faith, purpose, peace, and rest in the midst of everyday life. Whether the lesson comes from a hummingbird at the kitchen window, a season of loss in the lavender field, or a gentle reminder of God's faithfulness, each episode will encourage you to draw closer to the Lord, trust His faithfulness, and discover His peace in the middle of life's joys and challenges. And yes...there's always a touch of lavender.

  1. 5d ago

    76 | Making Room for What Comes Next | A Rooted & Rested Podcast Update

    What happens when something you love begins to feel like another deadline? After 75 consecutive weekly episodes of Rooted & Rested, I’m sharing a personal podcast update: I’ve decided to pause recording while I make room for writing, reflection, and creativity. My first thought was to move to a monthly podcast. But after talking with Bob and considering what I need in this season, I’ve decided to pause without setting a return date. In this episode, I share the gratitude—and the fear—that comes with changing a familiar rhythm. We’ll talk about receiving God’s grace, releasing the pressure to prove ourselves, and asking for wisdom when we don’t know exactly what comes next. I also briefly introduce Lavender Letters, an idea I’m exploring that would bring together my writing, Christian faith, lavender, and pressed-flower art through something you could receive in the mail. It’s still being developed, and there is no launch date to announce. Lessons in the Lavender remains close to my heart. Writing helps me process what the Lord is teaching me through Scripture, the lavender field, and everyday life. This pause gives me room to continue gathering those stories and explore how I might share them. If you’re navigating a change, reconsidering a commitment, or learning to rest in God’s grace, I hope this conversation encourages you. In this episode: • Why I’m pausing the weekly podcast • The fear of being forgotten when we stop showing up • Receiving Christ’s righteousness rather than trying to earn God’s acceptance • Making room for writing and creative exploration • Seeking God’s wisdom for the next step Scripture: Romans 3:21–28 Connect with me at https://saltandlightbox.com. Until next time, my friend, may you stay rooted in His love and find rest in His faithful care.

  2. Oct 23

    75 | The New Girl at 57 — When You Don't Know Where You Belong

    Are you struggling to find where you belong in a new season of life? Have you ever stepped away from a familiar role, ministry, or community and suddenly felt like the new kid at school? In Episode 75 of Rooted & Rested, The New Girl at 57, I'm sharing my experience of leaving nine years of Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) leadership and beginning again in a new class. Although I had peace about stepping away from leadership, I wasn't prepared for how uncomfortable it would feel to leave familiar friendships and routines behind. As I learn to trust God's purpose in this unfamiliar season, I'm discovering the importance of listening to others, valuing the wisdom of older women, and recognizing that our purpose doesn't disappear when our responsibilities change. And when I almost skipped Bible study one morning, a prompting from the Holy Spirit led to unexpected conversations, meaningful connections, and a reminder that God can be working even when we don't see the bigger picture. Through 1 Corinthians 12:18, Psalm 71:18, and Proverbs 3:5–6, we'll explore finding belonging, trusting God's plan, embracing life's transitions, and learning to receive His encouragement. If you're navigating change, feeling out of place, or wondering what God has for you in this season, I hope this episode reminds you that your story matters and God hasn't forgotten you. saltandlightbox.com

  3. Oct 16

    74 | I Don't Want to Waste My Life | Finding Purpose When Life Feels Overwhelming

    I Don't Want to Waste My Life | Finding Purpose When Life Feels Overwhelming Have you ever felt so busy taking care of everyone and everything that you wonder if you're missing what really matters? Between work, family responsibilities, endless to-do lists, and dreams that keep getting pushed aside, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and question whether you're living the life God intended for you. In this heartfelt episode of Rooted & Rested, Lisa shares an ordinary morning that turned into a meaningful lesson about faith, identity, and purpose. A forgotten grocery bag, an unexpected thistle growing among the lavender, and a moment of honest frustration led her to a powerful realization: “I don't want to waste my life.” Through the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38–42, Romans 8:31, and Psalm 90:12, we explore what it means to live intentionally, trust God through disappointment, and remember that our worth isn't measured by how much we accomplish. In this episode, we'll reflect on: Finding purpose when life feels overwhelmingly busy Recognizing how past disappointments shape what we believe about ourselves Learning from Mary and Martha about choosing what matters most Letting go of the pressure to accomplish everything Receiving God's grace, wisdom, and peace in everyday life If you're a Christian woman feeling exhausted by responsibilities, discouraged by unmet expectations, or wondering whether you're making a difference, this episode offers gentle encouragement to slow down, reconnect with God, and remember what matters most. Pour yourself a cup of lavender tea, take a deep breath, and remember: Your life matters to God, even in the ordinary moments. Rooted & Rested — reminding women they are not forgotten, but remembered by God, rooted in Him, and invited to rest in His presence. SALTANDLIGHTBOX.COM

  4. Oct 9

    73 | It Doesn't Have to Be Perfect: The Day the Cows Got Out | Letting Go of Perfection & Trusting God

    Are you struggling with perfectionism, letting go of control, or trusting God when life doesn't go according to plan? Just days before a family party, Lisa felt God reminding her of one simple truth: It doesn't have to be perfect. Then came the practical exam. Two runaway steers. An all-day rain. A beautifully mowed yard covered in muddy hoofprints. Cow patties scattered through the party area. And Lisa standing outside with a shovel the day before everyone arrived. In this funny and encouraging episode of Rooted & Rested, Lisa shares what happened when her carefully made plans collided with real life—and how God used the mess to teach her something deeper about perfectionism, control, trust, and being present. Maybe letting go of perfection isn't about caring less. Maybe it's about being present enough to receive the life God is giving you. If you're a Christian woman who feels pressure to get everything done, make everything right, or hold everything together, this episode is an invitation to loosen your grip, do what's yours to do, and trust God with what isn't. In this episode: • Letting go of perfectionism and unrealistic expectations • Trusting God when plans change • Releasing the need to control every detail • Learning to be present instead of constantly preparing for what's next • Receiving ordinary moments with the people you love • Remembering truth in the middle of your “You've GOT to be kidding me” moments Sometimes trust looks less polished than we imagine. Sometimes it looks like: Guard the waterfall. Shovel the poop. Leave the hoofprints. Receive Saturday. Because it doesn't have to be perfect to be good. And today's “You've GOT to be kidding me” might just become the story you're laughing about tomorrow. Rooted & Rested is a Christian encouragement podcast reminding women they are not forgotten—remembered by God, rooted in Him...and with a touch of lavender. 🌿 Learn more about Lisa and Salt & Light Box: saltandlightbox.com 💜 Get my free Weekly Brain Dump: A simple weekly page to help you get everything out of your head and onto paper—with space for your verse, word, and prayer for the week. When you sign up, you'll also receive my weekly notes from the farm, Rooted & Rested encouragement, and reminders to slow down and notice the moments that matter. [GET THE FREE WEEKLY BRAIN DUMP] If this episode encouraged you, share it with a woman who may need the reminder that it doesn't have to be perfect.

  5. Oct 2

    72 | Do I Really Trust Him?

    Do you really trust God? It's easy to say we trust Him. But what happens when the to-do list is long, life feels overwhelming, and everything in us wants to take control? In this episode of Rooted & Rested, Lisa shares how an exhausting weekend, an unfinished brain dump, an unexpected nap by the waterfall, and a family of bluebirds led her back to a simple question: Do I really trust Him? As she studied Romans 1 and reflected on Psalm 23, she recognized something in herself: sometimes self-reliance can quietly replace dependence on God. We can know that God is in control while still living as though everything depends on us. But trusting God doesn't always require a dramatic leap of faith. Sometimes it looks like resting when there's still work to do. Sometimes it means leaving something unfinished. Sometimes it means putting down the phone and simply receiving the moment right in front of us. And maybe we're not supposed to finally “arrive” at perfect trust. We will forget. We'll take control again. We'll rush. We'll miss moments. But there is grace for those moments too. When we realize we're no longer receiving the life God has given us, we can simply return to the Shepherd. In this episode, we'll talk about trusting God in everyday life, letting go of control and self-reliance, finding rest when life feels busy, noticing and giving thanks, receiving the present moment, and returning to God when we find ourselves striving again. “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” — Psalm 23:1 You don't have to arrive. You don't have to be the Shepherd. You can keep returning to Him. saltandlightbox.com

  6. Sep 25

    71 | Grace for the Frazzled Week

    After missing her Sunday brain dump for the first time in more than a year and a half, Lisa could feel the difference. By Tuesday morning, her mind was crowded with appointments, family decisions, event preparations, unanswered messages—and the sudden realization that she hadn’t even thought about this week’s podcast. Then, while driving to an appointment, “Counting My Blessings” by Seph Schlueter came on the radio. Nothing on Lisa’s list changed, but her attention did. She realized she had been counting everything she needed to do instead of remembering everything God had already done. In this honest episode, Lisa shares how practical rhythms can help clear our minds, how gratitude makes room for us to notice the life we are actually living, and how some of the things that feel like pressure may also be answers to prayer. Grace for a frazzled week doesn’t always mean that everything becomes calm. Sometimes it means the unfinished things loosen their grip long enough for us to receive the goodness happening right in front of us—and take the next faithful step. My Weekly Brain Dump

  7. Sep 18

    70 | The Joy I Was Too Busy to Receive: Releasing Hurry and Control

    What if the joy you’ve been searching for has been there all along—but you’ve been too busy to receive it? For much of this year, my word receive felt vague and almost fake because I honestly didn’t understand how to receive God’s love, peace, joy, or everyday gifts. I was accustomed to doing, planning, creating, fixing, and trying to control the outcome—especially in my business. I was always working to arrive somewhere, and anxious hurry kept carrying me past the life God was already giving me. In this episode, I share what I’m beginning to understand about the difference between faithful work and anxious hurry, why a clenched hand cannot receive, and how slowing down to notice and describe God’s ordinary gifts is creating room for both joy and peace. I haven’t mastered open-handed living. But today, my hand is a little more open than it was yesterday. Walk with me a bit as we walk with Him—learning to slow down, notice His gifts, faithfully take the next step, and trust God with what comes next.

  8. Sep 11

    69 | Trusting God in the Waiting: When You Don’t Know What Will Grow

    Trusting God in the Waiting: When You Don’t Know What Will Grow I planted three tiny lavender plants in the field this week. And honestly? I have no idea if they're going to live. After years of trying unsuccessfully to propagate lavender, I decided this spring to try growing it from seed. I started with about 80 seeds, and twelve little plants made it through the summer. This week, I took three of those survivors from their protected spot beside the house and planted them in the field—in holes where other young lavender plants have already died. As I was debating whether I should even plant them, I had this thought: If they live, there will be a lesson in the lavender. And if they die, there will be a lesson in the lavender. But if I'm honest, there was a little bit of a "whatever" attitude underneath that too. I've learned plenty of lessons through things not growing the way I hoped they would. And I'm weary. I'd really love to see what God might teach me through something that lives. Those three little plants made me realize I've planted a lot of other things in this season too—new ideas, writing, creative work, and things I genuinely hope will grow. And now I'm in the part I really don't like: Waiting. I love planning. I love creating. I love figuring things out. But eventually I have to release what I've created and face the part I can't control—the outcome. And when things don't grow the way I thought they would, that's when I start asking hard questions: Did I hear God correctly? Am I where He wants me? What if this doesn't work either? In this episode of Rooted & Rested, I'm sitting with Ecclesiastes 11:4–6 and its uncomfortable reminder that we don't always know which seed will succeed. This isn't a success story told from the other side. The plants are still in the field. I'm still waiting. I still don't know what will grow. And maybe that's exactly why I wanted to share this part of the story now—before I know the ending. If you're somewhere between planting and knowing too, walk with me a bit as we walk with Him. saltandlightbox.com

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Rooted + Rested is a podcast for women who need to remember they are not forgotten—remembered by God, rooted in Him, and invited to find true rest in His presence. Through personal stories, biblical encouragement, and Lessons in the Lavender, host Lisa Hartzler shares what God is teaching her about faith, purpose, peace, and rest in the midst of everyday life. Whether the lesson comes from a hummingbird at the kitchen window, a season of loss in the lavender field, or a gentle reminder of God's faithfulness, each episode will encourage you to draw closer to the Lord, trust His faithfulness, and discover His peace in the middle of life's joys and challenges. And yes...there's always a touch of lavender.

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