This week, I’m back in the garden—literally and spiritually.

What started as a fun project to tidy up my yard and grow a few vegetables turned into a rich space for God to teach me deep truths about my heart, my faith, and the way I live. As I worked with my hands in the dirt, pulling weeds and planting seeds, I began to notice how God was using every little task—especially the frustrating ones—to speak to my soul.

In this episode, I share the story of my tomato plants that looked beautiful above ground, but below the surface, they were struggling. The soil was rocky, and the roots couldn’t go deep. It reminded me so vividly of Jesus' parable in Matthew 13—the seed sown on rocky ground that springs up quickly but withers just as fast because it has no root.

I began to ask: Where in my own life do I appear to be thriving, but deep down I’m dry, overextended, or disconnected from God? And more importantly, how many of us are trying to produce fruit without first tending to the soil of our hearts?

Throughout the episode, I talk about the ways we all try to "fake the fruit": smiling at church while feeling spiritually empty, saying yes out of guilt or performance, trying to be the perfect Catholic mom or wife while burying our own pain. I’ve done it. I’ve coached women through it. And I know how exhausting it can be.

We explore the four anchors that help us cultivate good, deep spiritual soil:
🕊️ Silence
✝️ Sacraments
💔 Suffering
🤲 Surrender

These aren’t glamorous. They don’t always feel productive. But this is where God does His most beautiful work. When we allow Him into our hidden, rocky places—into the pain, the dryness, the places we’d rather keep covered—He begins to till the soil. He prepares us to grow fruit that isn’t just impressive, but lasting and life-giving.

I also talk about how to recognize rotten fruit in our lives: the habits, actions, or even ministry roles that look holy but aren’t bearing real joy, peace, or love. And I remind you (and myself!) that God doesn’t just want us to be busy. He wants us to be rooted.

So if you’re feeling worn out, spiritually dry, or unsure whether the fruit of your life is real or just for show—this episode is for you.

Jennie Guinn is a Catholic life coach, retreat leader, and founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle. With over 26 years of experience as an educator, administrator, and Director of Religious Education, she is passionate about walking with midlife women through life’s transitions—especially those that come from unexpected changes in relationships, identity, or purpose.

A devoted mother of three grown sons and proud grandmother of two, Jennie creates sacred spaces where women can encounter the love of the Father, be transformed by the Holy Spirit, so they can magnify Christ in their everyday lives.

Jennie is the host of the Catholic Moms in the Middle podcast and a featured voice on Nashville Catholic Radio and Radio Maria USA, where she shares encouragement and faith-filled wisdom with women navigating the twists and turns of midlife.

#155 Rocky Soil and Rotten Fruit