Barefoot Before god - a gentle case for grounding
My grandmother used to say, “Take off your shoes, they’re making you sick.”
At the time, I thought she was just being old-school. Now I start most mornings barefoot in the grass, Bible and journal in hand, praying as the sun nudges the day awake. I have never felt more connected—or more at peace.
Wellness circles call this practice grounding (or earthing). At its simplest: stepping outside, barefoot, touching the earth, and opening yourself to presence with God.
Holy Ground Is Not a Metaphor
“Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” — Exodus 3:5
When Moses and Joshua met God face-to-face, the first instruction was to remove their shoes. In Scripture, bare feet meant reverence and direct encounter.
I’ve come to believe our own backyards can be holy ground too.
Indigenous Wisdom: Belonging to the Land
First Nations and Indigenous communities teach us that the earth is not a resource but a relative. Robin Wall Kimmerer writes in Braiding Sweetgrass: “As we work to heal the earth, the earth heals us.”
Christians can approach this with humility—listening, honoring, and remembering that land-based healing is a living tradition. It’s not a “technique” to borrow but a relationship to respect.
What the Research Says
1. Time in Nature Works Wonders
Lower blood pressure and cortisol
Better mood and attention
Improved sleep and immune function
Just 120 minutes weekly can make a measurable difference
2. Barefoot “Earthing” Shows Early Promise
Small studies suggest potential benefits like reduced inflammation, improved sleep, faster recovery after exercise, and even healthier blood flow. Scientists are still exploring the “why,” but one thing is certain: time outdoors heals.
Body, Mind, Spirit Benefits
Physically: Possible reductions in inflammation, stress, and fatigue.
Emotionally: Nature reliably improves mood, eases anxiety, and restores focus.
Spiritually: Barefoot prayer reminds us that we were formed from dust (Genesis 2:7) and walk daily on God’s holy ground.
My Morning Practice
Step outside barefoot, Bible in hand.
Read a short passage (or a long one. I strive for 3 chapters per day).
Breathe deeply and notice the ground beneath your feet.
Pray simply: “Lord, here I am. This is Your ground. I belong to You.”
Close with gratitude and a blessing for neighbors and family.
It takes 10–20 minutes. It changes everything.
A 7-Day Barefoot Liturgy
Day 1: Exodus 3 — pray “Make my home holy ground.”
Day 2: Name 5 gifts your land gives.
Day 3: Confess ways you’ve ignored creation.
Day 4: Tend—water a plant, pull weeds, or pick up litter.
Day 5: Sit in silence and listen.
Day 6: Pray for neighbors by name.
Day 7: Worship outdoors—sing or read Scripture aloud.
Final Word
Going barefoot in the grass won’t replace your doctor or your pastor. But it’s a simple, embodied way to meet the Lord each day.
If my grandmother were here, she’d grin and say: “Shoes off, sweetheart. Go meet the morning.”