Vera the aloes plant has had a boost. She wasn't thriving in the bathroom but once she came downstairs into the conservatory she burst into life and seemed to suck up sustenance with glee (if plants have glee) in her new environment of warmth, sunshine and a drink and a chat with the tomatoes and courgettes, plus lettuces etc growing in the conservatory. Think she was lonely. I think we have all been a bit lonely just lately, missing company and the good old chat with someone from our tribe. Like Vera the aloe, we need company.
Succulents are prepared for dry spells and if anything this week has been a bit dryer in the prayer department, but then the rains came and my heart was filled with joy. I returned to the app 'Pray as You Go' and found it extremely helpful, it nourished me in spending time in a different way with God. It got me out of my rut, and I felt sustained in the pre planned little snippets that gave me the prayer boost I needed. Spurred on I then instead of following Compline used the Daily Examen at bedtime and I really found for me that it was what I needed right now to help me examine my day.
Not to be outdone the other prickly little character 'Spike' perked up too. There is nothing like a little rain to refresh, and honestly we really have needed the rain and at last the ground is more comfortable to walk on up at Bluebell/Short Wood. Less ridged and slightly softer underfoot, making the journey less jarring. Reader training has been jarring at times, and as we examine further ourselves and our relationship with God we unpack, discard and find all sorts of prickles and salves that grows our relationship with Himself and others. There are two types of succulents pictured here, one very spiky that could hurt and a healing one. 'Spike' sucks up nourishment a bit like 'Vera' but they are not the same. Hurt and pain can be nourished, we brood, we worry the wound, we nurse a hurt, we pick and healing takes longer. Our brokenness needs healing and it is ok to voice that pain in prayer to God. That's why I love the psalms as I think there is a psalm for every woe and condition us humans can find ourselves in! I've mentioned Psalm 88 before because that's one of the biggest moans and vent the psalmist had. It must have been a very bad day when that one was written. Now 'Vera', aloe vera is the opposite. 'Vera' nourishes true, but in a different way. Aloe leaves contain a gel like substance that have been used in salves, and healing traditions for thousands of years and in certain burial rituals. "... Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about thirty-five kilograms. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen..." John 19:39-40 I had never made the connection with 'Vera' on my windowsill and the plant that would have been used to prepare Jesus for the tomb. I shall look at 'Vera' with a new perspective from now on, she deserves some respect; plus her gel is very soothing for dry feet from walking...
By sheer luck, this little gift of a book popped into my inbox on doing a book search and I admit I bought it, it has made me smile. It has kindled some joy within me. It is full of wonderful little snippets and one of the first ones that grabbed my attention was this...
“…God walks ‘slowly’ because he is love. If he is not love he would have gone much faster. Love has its speed. It is an inner speed. It is a spiritual speed. It is a different kind of speed from the technological speed to which we are accustomed. It is ‘slow’ yet it is lord over all other speeds since it is the speed of love..." by Kosuke Koyama a Japanese theologian writing at the beginning of the 20th century from a very different perspective.
It also hasn't a lot to do with cacti (as far as I know) but it does make me connect to the realisation that it is ok to have dry periods. As long as nourishment is at hand. Right now it is difficult for some of us to get out and about. I'm still shielded and I haven't been in a shop since March, therefore I am relishing the opportunity to get out and walk. When I have been really lucky I have been able to go on a walk with a friend at an acceptably social distance and it has really made me value and cherish the grace of human fellowship. Like 'Vera' and 'Spike' who needed nourishment from sunshine, warmth and water and contact with other plants to help them blossom, and regain strength; we need that nourishment from each other too. We are lucky we have Scripture, we have the opportunity of a firm relationship with God and we can nourish that. However we also need each other to grow in fullness and to find companions along the road to discuss and discover where our faith needs salve and nurture. Jesus walks alongside us always. So much of His ministry was done on the road and we are very privileged to have such a good guide walking alongside us, even when we are on our own, except we are not on our own, are we?
One of the most evocative narratives of Love being patient and kind to my mind is 'On the Road to Emmaus' Luke 24:13-35. Jesus is patently walking along side two disciples, one is named, generally as Cleophas, but we don't know the other ones name. Perhaps we all could be the other disciple, Jesus listening to us, kindly, without interruption until the moment when bread is broken and we realise who actually is the stranger that walks alongside us.
Go gently then friends, take care along the road and accept that it is ok to be thirsty, because we are lucky we have Jesus, the giver of the Water of Life. The Bible Project have this little clip, it is rather beautifully told.....https://youtu.be/PgmAkM39Zt4
I look forward to joining you for virtual Celtic Morning Prayers at 9.00am tomorrow morning, here is the link...
For a slightly different melody this week I have attached The Proclaimers 'Sunshine on Leith'. I have also attached the lyrics...it is one of those songs that can be read in a different way and in different context. It resonated with me on writing - I hope you like it...
My heart was broken, my heart was broken
Sorrow Sorrow Sorrow Sorrow
My heart was broken, my heart was broken
You saw it,
You claimed it
You touched it,
You saved it
My tears are drying, my tears are drying
Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you
My tears are drying, my tears are drying
Your beauty and kindness
Made tears clear my blindness
While I'm worth my room on this earth
I will be with you
While the Chief, puts Sunshine On Leith
I'll thank him for his work
And your birth and my birth.
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Charles Stobo Reid / Craig Morris Reid
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.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen (the blessing from Celtic Morning Prayers, morning service) book 1. Northumbrian Community https://www.northumbriacommunity.org/offices/morning-prayer/
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