Green Again

A special note to my friends, neighbors, brothers and sisters who suffer after the unthinkable  devastation of April 27 tornadoes: We are all surrounded by places of grief where only days ago roses bloomed. Our hearts ache. Now more than ever we need to hold tightly to the resurrection lessons of Spring and remember to "claim every little bit of healing." (See post for 3/29/11-Journey of the Heart.) We must take comfort in remembering that even after the most devastating of forest fires, the scorched earth eventually returns to green.  --Bunny 

We are in the resurrection season of Spring. In spring we move from the darkness of winter into light. We are comforted by the balance of things, the shape, the color, the scent, the touch, the song of the earth. Beauty heals us, thrills us, and connects us once again to the yearning for life.

In spring, it is as if God lifts us onto his lap, knowing the winter has been cold and the nights long.   Like a child with scraped knees and a broken heart, He enfolds us with consoling arms, and by the greening of the earth,  kisses the top of our head, whispering, "It’s alright. It’s alright.”

Reflections:

Matthew 28:6 He is not here; he has risen.

For the beauty of the earth,

For the splendor of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies:
Source of all, to thee we raise 
This our hymn of grateful praise.

--Hymn, Folliet Pierpoint

Song of Solomon 2: 

For now the winter is past,

the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth;
the time of singing has come.

The earth laughs in flowers--Ralph Waldo Emerson

--Is there a place where I can see signs or rebirth, healing, new life in the midst of suffering and pain?

--When in my life have I known healing and rebirth?


--Is there something in me that wants to grow? Something new that wants to be born? How can I nurture that?


--Is there a winter place within me that can find comfort in the lessons of spring?

Practice: Go for a Sabbath walk. Walk slowly and silently. Let your senses be your guide. If you are drawn to a leaf, a stone, a color, stop and linger. Take all the time you need to hear its secrets. Do not hurry. There is no place to go. Follow your own timing and curiosity. When you are called to begin again, move on. That is all.

Practice: Pray for tornado victims and other victims of natural disasters using Litany in Time of Trouble. (See post for  a 4/30/11-Let Us Pray)