by Ron Friesen
Hospitality is a word that extends an invitation – an invitation to come in, to converse, to spend some time together. Hospitality is usually an invitation to someone to enter into their presence wherever they are at that moment.
As I pondered hospitality in the world, especially in nature, I could not help but think of the places where wildlife make their homes/nesting places. Birds are most often the wildlife that one spots in their home/nesting place. Although if one is on the alert as out and about walking through forests, woods, fields and gardens there are other animals that may lend a peak into their spaces – however most of them will not welcome the intrusion of any one of us. I remember a small wild rabbit that loved to build her nest behind our house on the farm in what she thought was a fairly hidden space in the grass. The problem was that it was also our lawn so once in while the lawn mower would uncover the nest, especially when the little bunnies were getting rather big for the tiny nest. Deer tend to nestle down in a deepened area at the base of a tree sort of hidden in the depth of the forest. If one chooses to hike and can do so with much quietness, there are amazing discoveries to be made when out in nature and the wild.
There are also amazing discoveries to be made as one hikes whether out by a lake, on a trail, in the woods, in a park, on a walk through the neighborhood, on a mountain trail etc. I am so amazed at all of the things that God created and I cannot help at times but to wonder, how in the world did God think of all the different plants, animals and people? And also how did God think to create humanity with the ability to enjoy all of this treasure.
In Genesis 1:
24-25 God spoke: “Earth, generate life! Every sort and kind:
cattle and reptiles and wild animals—all kinds.”
And there it was: wild animals of every kind,
Cattle of all kinds, every sort of reptile and bug.
God saw that it was good.
26-28 God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them
reflecting our nature
So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle,
And, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”
God created human beings, he created them godlike,
Reflecting God’s nature.
He created them male and female.
God blessed them:
“Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”
29-30 Then God said, “I’ve given you every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth
And every kind of fruit-bearing tree, given them to you for food.
To all animals and all birds, everything that moves and breathes,
I give whatever grows out of the ground for food.”
And there it was.
31 God looked over everything he had made; it was so good, so very good!
It was evening, it was morning – Day Six.
Welcome friends and those who are passing by….
Come and sit for a spell in the shade of the tree.
Take off your shoes and socks and let the grass sooth the soles of your feet.
Lean back and take a beep breath – – – –
Listen . . . do you hear the coo of the dove?
Do you hear the rustle of the leaf?
Do you hear the buzz of the bee?
Do you feel the lushness of the green grass on your feet?
Do you feel the air brushing by on your face?
Do you feel how your body relaxes into the chair?
COMING SOON! Don’t forget to sign up for the third seasonal retreat! On December 9, Christine Sine will lead a morning of scripture reading and quiet reflectionthat will be for many of us a much needed oasis of quiet in the midst of this chaotic season.