I have a love-hate relationship with contentment. I remember once listening to Sheryl Crow sing, “It’s not having what you want, it’s wanting what you’ve got,” and starting an argument with her in my head, listing all the reasons why wanting more can be a good thing, and why just being happy with what you’ve got can actually, sometimes, be bad. I’m not a status-driven, “I want it all, and I want it now” materialist. I don’t thrive on consumption, and I have no dreams of untold wealth. But I get frustrated when contentment is reduced to stagnant complacency. The way contentment is often described sounds an awful lot like ‘laziness’ to me. I know this wasn’t Sheryl Crow’s meaning, but it is how contentment is sometimes depicted.
If human beings had remained content in this way, we would never have discovered the diverse beauty of lands different from our own. We would never have learned to heal sicknesses, grow crops, or create the amazing tools of communication that we rely on every day. If we were always content, we would never choose to get married, have children, or make friends. While all of these things may have a dark side, in themselves they are gifts, and they have all arisen out of a sense of need, of restlessness, of discontent.
So, how are we to navigate between the twin dangers of lazy complacency and greedy lust for more—neither of which lead us into true contentment? How are we to understand contentment and how are we to achieve it? I am reminded of a wise, but little known, word that Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica: “Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11). These words have become a guiding principle for me, and they, linked with my worship practice, have opened the door to contentment.
What I’ve learned is that contentment is not about having everything you want (Sheryl Crow was right there). But nor is it about sitting back resignedly and giving up any longing for more. Contentment can be found in a quest to discover new things, to experience new places and even, within reason, to acquire new possessions. The key for me is in Paul’s words, which indicate that contentment is not a destination. It’s part of the quest.
When we are so busy trying to get more, do more, be more, that we have no time to enjoy the places and people we find ourselves with, we will never be at rest. On the other hand, when we just check out, and give up the journey altogether, we end up disheartened and depressed—existing instead of living. But, when we are able to embark on the adventure that is life, seeking new learnings, new experiences and new people, while celebrating each moment, each milestone and each new bend in the road, we discover a life that is vibrant, full and, yes, content.
One simple practice, that worship teaches, can open the doors to this vibrant, adventuresome contentment—thanksgiving. When we give thanks for what we have and how far we have come, we discover contentment. When we give thanks for the journey itself, and for each moment we find ourselves in, we discover contentment. And when we give thanks for what we have yet to learn and experience and explore, we discover contentment. Thanksgiving moves us away from the addiction to goals, destinations and things, and into appreciation for people, relationships and the glory of living. We may still have goals, we may still journey toward destinations, and we may we still acquire some things, but they are not the point. The point is to be aware, each step of the way, of God’s presence and purpose, of the mystery of our unique place in this amazing universe, and of the love which holds it all together. That is what thanksgiving teaches us. And it is worship that teaches us thanksgiving—if we will only allow it to, through regular, mindful participation.
Join Christine as she leads the last of her three virtual retreats in this year’s Seasonal Retreat series. She will lead a morning of scripture reading and quiet reflection that will be for many of us a much needed oasis of quiet in the midst of this chaotic season.
by June Friesen
How often does one consider that the moon plays an important part in the creation plan of God. We readily admit that it is the greatest of heavenly lights in the night sky and when the moon reflects the sunlight in all fullness in the dark we are blessed and amazed and possibly at times even in awe. Did you know that in the very beginning God told us the purpose or at least one or two purposes of the moon?
Genesis 1:14-15 – God spoke: “Lights! Come out! Shine in Heaven’s sky! Separate Day from Night. Mark seasons and days and years, Lights in Heaven’s sky to give light to Earth.” And there it was.
Here we see the origin of the seasons – I remember when someone explained to me some of the working of the universe such as the impact of planets in the solar system as well as the placement of the stars, moon and light and their activity. I was fascinated by the power that the sun and even the moon have in the solar system as well as on our home planet the earth – and how little credit we give to the moon and how it affects certain things. Another Scripture gives us some more recognition of the reason for the moon and the sun.
PSALM 104: 18-20
The moon keeps track of the seasons,
the sun is in charge of each day.
When it’s dark and night takes over,
all the forest creatures come out.
The young lions roar for their prey,
clamoring to God for their supper.
When the sun comes up, they vanish,
lazily stretched out in their dens.
Meanwhile, men and women go out to work,
busy at their jobs until evening.
As a child growing up in the northern hemisphere I had a love-hate relationship with the moon. I lived on a farm where we had chickens who had free range of the yard during the daytime except in the time of deep winter snow and cold. The chickens generally were wise in the fact that when it got dark they all gathered in their chicken house. However at dark someone, and usually that someone was me, had to walk to the chicken house and close the doors to keep them safe from predators such as racoons, fox and/or skunks. Even though the moon may have been shining, a large light on a high pole somewhat illuminated the yard and I even having a flashlight – I was not always so trusting of what I may meet on this assignment. When the moon was shining in fulness it could appear quite a bit brighter yet it also seemed to cast shadows that I did not find particularly comforting. I sometimes wonder now as an older adult if someone had explained to be the incredible purposes that the moon served, and not just that it was a light of some kind at night, if I would have had a greater appreciation for the moon and the light that it gave me.
The moon is important to the earth for several reasons according to the study and writing of Elena Stone:
“The Moon is important to our planet and life on Earth because of many reasons, including:
- The Moon’s magnetic field shielded Earth from the effects of the Sun’s radiation.
- The effect of the moon in the tides of the ocean might have helped create the condition for life as we know it on Earth.
- Moon’s gravity stabilized Earth’s rotation and tilt, making Earth’s climate and environmental conditions a lot friendlier.
- The Moon has great conditions to be used as a base for space exploration.” (end of quote)
If these things are news to you maybe they could become new things for which you are grateful to God. The next time you observe the moon pause and reflect on other things it provides other than just a light in the night sky or a beautiful object that reflects in different colors depending on so many different variables. Many if not all of us live in a state of unappreciation when in comes to our planet, our atmosphere and our solar system. Just recently I have been spending some time with some of our church family’s children and was very surprised that they did not know that God created the sun, the moon, the stars, the planets etc. I am not sure how much you were challenged even by the few things that I have shared here today. I also purposefully shared different photos of shapes of the moon, colors of the moon and times of the day/night that the moon can be seen. All of these are a result of the earth’s atmosphere, the waxing and waning of the moon etc.
GOD’S GIFT OF THE MOON
The dark of the night can be so over powering,
It has the power to paralyze some with fear,
It has the power to invigorate others with anticipation,
It really is and can be embraced as a gift from God
If one takes the time to learn of the ways it blesses our planet and lives.
It is a help to sailors on the seas at times
While at other times it warns them of impending problems –
They have studied and learned the power of the moon
So as to hopefully gain from its gift
But not get caught in the struggles it forewarns them about.
It is a help to guide people who may not have a table of time –
They know that it waxes and wanes during a period of about 28 days,
They also know that at certain positions it has am impact upon the waters of the oceans and seas –
As well as occasionally it causes a blockage of the sun to shine in fullness upon the earth.
Take a moment and consider going out into the country –
Far away from the lights of the city scape
And embrace either the light that the moon is giving
Or if it is absent the lack of light which makes seeing anything near impossible.
God – I may not completely understand and embrace this beautiful creation called the moon
But I do realize that everything You chose to create was created for a purpose,
I thank You for keeping all things working according to Your created purpose such as the moon so that my life is enhanced even when I do not necessarily understand.
Today as I observe the moon in whatever stage it is in, I know it will fulfill its purpose,
And this presents a challenge to me as well –
That today and every day I need to embrace and live the life that You are giving to me –
Living it out to the fullest embracing You and reaching out to bless others as well.
Help my life to reflect You, the Son to the world as brightly as the moon reflects the sun to our earth –
As the moon gives light in the darkness may my life also give light to those who are enveloped by the darkness and troubles of our world.
In Jesus name, amen and amen.
Writing, unless otherwise noted, and photos by June Friesen. Scripture is from The Message translation.
It’s a beautiful cold, crisp autumn day in Seattle. The sun is shining and there is fresh snow on the mountains. Unfortunately the frost has decimated my dahlias which have been such a delight this year. Now I really know that summer is over and winter is on its way.
Tom and I have just returned from a wonderful week in San Francisco where he grew up. We thoroughly enjoyed walking through remembered neighbourhoods and meeting with special friends. Tom did a great presentation at a seminar with Tod Bolsinger. It was a busy but very enjoyable week.
This week is crammed with celebrations. Today of course is Halloween. The street where we live is known as a safe place for trick or treating so everyone is getting ready to enjoy the fun. I hate seeing all those pumpkins going to waste which adds to my concerns for an ethical and waste free celebration. Check out some recipes and recycling ideas here.
What many of us do not realize is that today is also Reformation Day. I highly recommend Alex Tang’s post on Substack. Reformed, Always Reforming in Today’s Digital World for some new perspectives on the day.
My focus however is on All Saints’ Day tomorrow. This is one of my favourite celebrations. Last year we updated our resource list with a number of new resources that provide great activities for the day. November 2nd provides a couple of important celebrations. It is known as All Souls Day, a day set aside for the remembrance of the dead. In San Francisco, and other places where there are many people of Mexican descent, the celebration is known as Day of the dead and has a much less solemn tone being portrayed as a holiday of joyful celebration rather than mourning.
For me however, November 2nd is Looking for Circles Day. I love this day, which I talked about in my Meditation Monday – Embraced by God’s Circle of Light, because, for me it brings together the significance of all the other days we celebrate. We sit in God’s circle of light together with all the people of the world and surrounded by the circle of those who have gone before us. It is a wonderful day to add to your calendar.
Looking ahead, don’t forget that for those who enjoy celebrating an extended Advent with us and all those who delight in the Celtic tradition, remember Celtic Advent begins November 15th. I love this extended period of celebration because it enables me to focus on the real meaning of Advent and Christmas before the consumer culture reaches a crescendo of hype. This year I plan to make a special Advent wreath for my corner with a candle to mark each of the 6 weeks of Celtic Advent. Orthodox Christians also celebrate a 6 week Advent. There are some great resources available through Acetic Life of Motherhood.
Last week’s posts once more talked about trees. Barbie Perks in South Africa gave us a wonderful reflection on Baobab Trees and Rodney Marsh in Western Australia shares his beautiful reflection on walking in the Jarrah tree forest of his home. I loved both these posts for their thoughtful reflection and inspiration. Lilly Lewin gave some helpful ideas on Preparing to Wait as she looks ahead to Advent, and Sue Duby in But God encourages us to look for the “But God” stories in our own lives and those around us. Celebrating God’s goodness when we see them, knowing God is always at work on our behalf.”
As you look forward don’t forget that Godspacelight has lots of Advent and Christmas resources available including our Advent. Two of my favourites are the Advent Bundle with our Advent Devotional, Journal and Prayer Cards. They all cover the 6 weeks of Celtic Advent. Or if, like me you plan to start Christmas baking soon you might like the Godspacelight Community Cookbook available alone or as part of a special Advent bundle. We also have a number of free Advent resources including the ever popular Advent in a Jar.
There is still time to prepare yourself for the coming season so that it does not overwhelm you. We pray that you will take time to prayerfully consider what will most nurture you during this season.
Let us walk this path of life,
Through all its twists and turns.
God before me and behind me,
Christ beside on left and right,
Spirit deep within.
God Almighty, Three in One One in Three.
Let us not hurry and move ahead of you.
Let us not worry and move without you.
Let us not give up and move away from you.
May we walk the path that encircles and upholds us
The path that leads to the centre of your love.
Many blessings
Christine Sine
As this season of gratitude, holidays and holy days begins, don’t forget to explore the resources here on Godspace. You can find liturgies, children’s activities and more seasonal resources here.
by Christine Sine
At this season one of the first things I do each day is to light a circle of candles around me. November 2nd is Looking for Circles Day. God creates in circles and going out to search for those circles is an inspiring practice. They are everywhere–from the patterns on our fingerprints, raindrops, snowflakes, petals and flowers, to the orbs of the sun and the moon and the earth itself. Then there are the circles of days and nights, of seasons, and of life too. And in our faith, there is the circle of God’s love embracing us and of God’s presence in us and in all of creation. Then I imagine the circle of all the witnesses whose lives we celebrate on All Saint’s Day standing in an incredible circle of support and love around each and every one of us.
Like the Celts of old, I love circles and circling prayers and often incorporate these in my spiritual practices. At this time of year, I often greet the dawn with the soft glow of the sunrise reflected on the Olympic mountains outside my window, and say goodbye to the day with the even more breathtaking colors of the sunset over the mountains. It makes me feel as though I am indeed surrounded by God’s light. God’s embracing presence gives me strength, comfort and security in the midst of the ongoing trauma of our world.
My interest in circles as an expression of faith came from Celtic Christians who lived between the 5th & 8th centuries. They believed that a circle, with no break, created a complete whole, affording no access to the devil.
Monasteries were often surrounded by a circle of crosses declaring that the space within was sacred and different – dedicated to God and claimed as a place where God met people who were offered sanctuary and hospitality.” The Celtic Resource Book Martin Wallace
As I sit in my circle of light, I feel that same sacred presence surrounding and sustaining me. I close my eyes and draw an imaginary circle in front of me as I describe in this exercise adapted from a traditional circling prayer or CAIM. As I did so, I was reminded of a quote by Hermes Trismegistus that I came across recently:
God is a circle whose centre is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere.”
I interpret this to mean that each of us is centered in the presence of God and that God’s presence moves out from us to embrace everyone and everything. There is no boundary to God’s presence or to God’s love. Nothing can extinguish the light of God. It might be hidden as it is presently behind the clouds that cover the sky. It might fade into darkness as the sun fades into night, but it is always there. It is always waiting for the right time to reappear. Wow, what a wonderful thought to begin the day with.
As I reflected on this a few days ago, I was reminded of another time I wrote about the emerging light of God and a saying attributed to an ancient monk:
How do we know when the dawn has come? Is it when we can see the mountains clearly? No. Is it when we can see a dog or a cat nearly in the emerging light? No. It is when we can see in another the face of God. That is when the dawn has surely come.”
As I pondered all of this over the last few days, while I grieved the atrocities of the war in Israel/Palestine, I was reminded of a prayer I wrote a couple of years ago. I plan to use it over the next few weeks as part of my candle lighting ritual each morning. It’s a wonderful way to start the day, aware that not only do I stand at the centre of God’s love, but that I also provide a centre for God’s love out of which others can be touched and embraced with divine light and love. This year as I pray the prayer I find myself wanting to expand the circle further and further so that it doesn’t embrace just me and my family or even the country in which I live, but the whole of God’s world and the entire creation.
Today, we stand in God’s circle of light,
Breathing in, breathing out.
Today we stand in God’s circle of light,
Light before, light behind,
Light on left, light on right,
Light buried deep within.
Today, we stand in God’s circle of light,
With friends and family, neighbours and strangers,
With all the people of the world.
Together we stand in God’s everlasting light.
Encircled, embraced,
United into one family,
From every nation and culture and creed.
Let this circle hold us,
Let this circle sustain us,
Let this circle surround us,
With the bright and shiny presence
Of the Eternal One,
Who leads us into light.
© Christine Sine September 2020
by Rodney Marsh
“… reality is a dynamic, ever-changing, flowing process, not an assemblage of things” (Iain McGilchrist)
“(now the ears of my ears awake and now the eyes of my eyes opened)” (e e cummings)
“see without looking, hear without listening, breathe without asking” (W H Auden)
Before I began my 200km 12 day walk in the Jarrah forests of the Darling Range near Perth, Western Australia, I had read and been mulling over the words above. I wanted to see, with e e cummings, “the leaping greenly spirits of trees…” and know “everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes”. I wanted to “see without looking”, like the trees. Trees and all creation (except we humans apparently) have a simple capacity to always leap and see by being ‘in the moment’ they always ‘are what they are’. I sense trees ‘know’ it too (ie: experience their ‘isness”). If only trees could speak and tell us how to simply be. Maybe trees do speak and “gossip like old friends, sharing stories of all they have seen” (Christine Sine), but it is we humans who can neither hear nor understand. Perhaps, like all created things, each Jarrah tree’s very being is a ‘show and tell’ of the God who is, and it is we who are blind and deaf to what they have to teach us. I thought, perhaps, on my walk, I could learn a few words in old Entish and tap into the secret life of trees. Then I could, perhaps, learn to simply be, and know as a tree knows. But there is a catch-22 here: You can only learn from a tree how to just be, by first just being, then, and only then, will a tree consent to teach you to be.
I imagined that each and every tree I met on the track had a story to tell me. I do not doubt it, for every ‘thing’ in creation, has their own lyrical contribution to the flow of the river of life. The story of each tree, like our own story, is still being told. Each ‘thing’s’ story in is an essential part of God’s voluminous, developing universal book of nature. As I walked in the forest I sensed that each tree’s story was concealed and revealed in the scars and wounds of its body, just like we humans. And so when I passed a tree I tried to open my heart to hear its name, its story.
To some, this may be excessive anthropomorphism, but, I reply, that attributing human characteristics to nature is natural since I am part of nature, as are they. Indeed, a stubborn unwillingness to ‘love’ a tree as it is, is choosing an artificial, life-draining separation from nature. Since “reality is a dynamic, ever-changing, flowing process” an inner emptiness, openness and receptivity is essential to experience the wonder that nature is always offering to me and all creatures. If I objectify nature and separate myself from the tree, I cannot receive this gift of wonder. Not because it is withheld, but because my heart is hard.
When the Ent, Treebeard, from the Lord of the Rings, is asked what his name is, he says he will not say, for “… it would take a long while: my name is growing all the time, and I’ve lived a very long, long time; so my name is like a story. Real names tell you the story of things they belong to…”. Treebeard’s name is his story. Eckhart taught that “every single creature is full of God and is a book (story) about God”, so every tree’s name/story is a book about God. I, in human terms, am old now (74), but I thought that I too am still growing into my true name known only to God. The trees of the forest teach me that my name too is a story even now being engraved on God’s palms (49:16). Why God’s palms? – because her hands are always open. Now, walking amongst the Jarrah and Marri had also framed a question to me (via Tolkien): “Where, to whom and to what do you belong?”
From my first steps into the Jarrah forest, the trees seemed to welcome me home to the bush of my childhood. They seemed to say “We’re glad to see you”, and I felt glad to see them. This was my ‘heart response’ to walking in the bush and confirms that “… reality is a dynamic, ever-changing, flowing process, not an assemblage of things”. Only the attention of the heart can sense the flow of all creation or can hear the voice of the trees. Facts or photographs are not sufficient to ‘know’ any ‘thing’ in creation let alone a living tree. . ‘Scientific-knowledge’ of facts (eg “trees are an assemblage of roots and shoots”) or viewing a nature video are no help to discover the true ‘life of trees’. An entirely different mode of attention to reality is needed – the attention of the heart. Presence is essential – your own and the tree’s – but not sufficient to give heart knowledge. Presence must be accompanied by attention. Then presence with attention will lead to encounter, and our heart will leap with wonder and joy as we catch a vision of “the leaping greenly spirits of trees” or dimly begin to hear each tree’s story.
So when walking with trees I attempted to ensure I was present (not lost in thought) and had open attention. I used the prayer word I use whilst meditating to (mostly) ensure I was present to the bush as well as physically present. Nothing ‘magical’ happened, but I do believe that when I am present and attentive in this way I am praying, and a deep peace settles within me. That deep peace heals and unites and that is the inner gift that walking with the Jarrah trees gave me – the knowledge that “I am” just as they are. We are one. Only through heart knowing could I discover the ‘oneness’ that includes even me.
By walking with trees with presence and attention I learned that ‘knowing’ is not observing the river of life, but diving in and being part of the flow of reality. Learning to enter the ‘silence and stillness’ of Christian meditation (‘resting in the Lord’or ‘the ‘prayer of the heart’ or ‘pure prayer’were the Desert Mothers and Fathers descriptions for this form of prayer), helped me welcome the trees of the forest on our walk, just as they welcomed me. I learned that the experience of walking with trees is prayer and brings the gifts of union, communion, peace, acceptance, joy and gratitude. These gifts come with the practice of pure prayer and are the gifts of God for the people of God (via the trees).
When I arrived home I led the weekly online meditation meeting and ended it as I usually do, with this blessing:
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you;
may he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm;
may he bring you home rejoicing: at the wonders he has shown you;
may he bring you home rejoicing: once again into our doors.
I realised that I had received this blessing on my walk and arrived “home rejoicing at the wonders” I had been shown. Such is the blessing all receive who learn to walk amongst trees with presence and attention.
IT TREE
Love for trees IS traditional knowledge.
Bill Neidjie (circa 1910 – 2002) was probably the last speaker of the Gagudju language of northern Kakadu). In 1982, bfore he returned to his home country to die, Bill was interviewed about the stories of his country – he was concerned that his traditional knowledge not be lost. The transcription of the interviews is published in “Story About Feeling” (Magabala Books). Bill’s ‘oneness’ with all creation shines through his stories. He says “Don’t go round and put your head down. Listen carefully, careful and this spirit e come in your feeling and you will feel it… anyone that. I feel it… my body same as you. I telling you this because the land for us never change round. Places for us, earth for us, star, moon, tree, animal, no-matter what sort of animal, bird or snake… all that animal same like us. Our friend that.” Here’s a section where he talks about his love for a tree….
…………………………………………“I love it tree because e love me too.
……………………………………………..E watching me same as you
……………………Tree e working with your body, my body,
…………………………………………E working with us.
……………………While you sleep e working.
…………………………………………Daylight, when you walking around, e work too
…………………………………………That tree, grass … that all like our father.
……………………………………………Dirt, earth, I sleep with this earth.
……………………………………………..Grass … just like your brother.
…………………………………………..In my blood in my arm this grass.
………………………………………..This dirt for us because we’ll be dead,
…………………………………….………We’ll be going this earth.
………………………………………………..This the story now.
……………………….… Tree e follow you’n’me,
……………………E’ll be dead behind us but next one e’ll come.
……………………….Same people. Aborigine same.
……………………We’ll be dead but next one, kid, e’ll be born.
………………………………………………………………Same this tree.”
……………………………………………………………Bill Neidjie “Story about Feeling” Magabala Books, 1989, p4
Heading quotes are from:
Iain McGilchrist The Matter With Things: Our Brains, Our Delusions and the Unmaking of the World Perspectiva Press
“i thank You God for most this amazing” e e cummings https://artandtheology.org/2016/04/27/i-thank-you-god-for-most-this-amazing-by-e-e-cummings/
Excerpt from For The Time Being by W. H. Auden https://fourteenlines.blog/tag/for-the-time-being-by-w-h-auden/
Blessing from: https://commonprayer.net/
Don’t forget we have many Thanksgiving and gratitude resources available. Take some time to explore what we’ve gathered over the years.
As many of you know, I tend to feel like the calendar just races by me! I saw my first Christmas tree this week in the window of a neighbor. While his porch and front door are decorated for Fall/Autumn. He now has his Christmas tree lit up in his window. I saw a blurb on Instagram that said that people who decorate early are happier….hum. I’m not sure that’s true. At least not for me. I definitely take decorating for the holidays slowly and I like to enjoy each season as it comes. I have been enjoying the colors of the leaves and the pumpkins. I just wish that it wasn’t so hot here in Nashville so it would actually feel like Fall/Autumn, but maybe next week. But as we turn the calendar page, I’ve started thinking about Advent. Celtic Advent starts in mid November. November 16th. This gives us forty days to prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus.
I think this year, with all the strife, suffering and violence, I need ADVENT more than ever. I need that slow waiting. Being still and walking slowly towards Christmas.
A group of youth leaders were in Nashville this week and I had the opportunity to set up some Advent Prayer stations to give them some ideas to take home with them to use this December. These are from the Sacred Space Kit called ADVENT WAITING. The one with the manger hit me hard.
kitchen counter manger
I invite you to create or find a manger ..it can be a basket filled with straw or a wooden bowl from your kitchen. The concept is to have a physical reminder of the place where Mary laid Jesus.
Consider these questions:
Who are you waiting for?
What are you waiting for as you move towards Christmas?
What do you need from Jesus?
Is your manger dusty, filled with spider webs and old straw?
Or, you might have never had a manger.
Do you need to find a manger or build one this year in preparation for the coming of the King?
Can you imagine your heart as a manger for Jesus?
WRITE on a piece of wrapping paper: your name and what you need this ADVENT.
PUT YOUR NAME & PRAYER IN THE MANGER… TELL JESUS WHAT YOU NEED.
I am waiting for peace
I am praying for peace and cease fire and for compassion AND THE END OF GUN VIOLENCE.
I desperately need the Prince of Peace to be central in my heart and mind. I have totally felt the cobwebs in the manger of my heart in recent days!
I am putting the manger on the kitchen counter to remind me to keep my heart open and allow my heart to be a manger this year. A place of birthing and safety, a home for Jesus. AMEN
You can purchase an ADVENT WAITING sacred space kit at freerangeworship.com
Take some time to consider what you’d like your Advent season to be like this year. Do you want to read a book? Rest? Ask Jesus to show you what you need this Advent and take time to prepare Him Room!
by Barbie Perks
Yesterday I spent a good amount of time thinking on baobab trees as we were driven through the Ruaha National Park in Tanzania. It is the dry, hot and dusty season and it was 35ºC in the shade. There wasn’t a single baobab with leaves or fruit on it. It only buds, flowers and fruits in the wet season which is from late November to around March. Even though the tree looks dead, it is very much alive because it has a very long tap root that reaches deep for nourishment.
These remarkable trees provide sustenance to elephants in the dry season in a very self-sacrificial manner. Their trunks are spongy, storing up water which the elephant can get to by using its tusks to gouge strips of the baobab bark off, which it then eats – juicy provision! The tree, although damaged, heals itself, and in fact seems to grow wider as time goes by. The scars remain and are quite symbolic of the elephant population.
Bees also settle in the trunk, and honey gatherers will poke holes into the tree to siphon off the honey. Hornbills create nests in the trunk as well. In some cases, people have hacked holes into the tree to hide either themselves, or contraband (think poachers).
Some trees we saw, you could see right through a hole in the trunk. In all these cases, the baobab has proved quite resilient, and just slowly heals itself and continues to provide what it can – that seems to be the nature of a baobab.
As I thought on these baobabs, loving their different shapes and sizes, I was reminded that we too can be like them. We grow and nurture those around us as needed. Sometimes we are hurt and scarred by those we seek to nurture. Sometimes it is life and its varied circumstances that damage us. Sometimes it’s the death of a loved one that leaves a hole inside of us. And yet, because of the faith we have, we continue to grow and reach out to others. We continue to support, to nurture those around us even when it is difficult. We can go through dry seasons when it seems there is no life in us but then the rain comes. Even a little shower can take the dust off and freshen us up. A good season of rainfall can set us up to continue ministering and serving in the church or community where God has placed us.
I think it’s wonderful how God uses nature to teach us truths about himself or ourselves. Some scriptures to help us reflect on trees are Psalm 1:1-3, Revelation 22:14, Isaiah 61:3, Joel 1:11-12 and the promise in Joel 2:22-25, Jeremiah 17:8, Habakkuk 3:17-18.
As you go about your day, look at the trees around you and thank God for how they nurture you.
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