Mussings about life and gardening, God is working in our daily life. "Through Christ all things are being made new"
Friday, October 23, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Believing is Seeing
Did you know that dogs see only in back and white? For them it must be like it was for us in the days before color television. Once my husband and I had an Irish setter named Sean. I thought it was a shame that Sean could not see the beauty of his chestnut color against the green grass as he ran through a hay field.
In some ways we humans are limited too. We seem to see things only in black and white. All of the colors we associate with the season of fall are actually present all summer in the leaves in the trees. While the leaves are busy making food the green from the chlorophyll is the only color we see. When the leaves stop making food, and sugars are trapped in the leaves, on cold nights they bring forth the reds and purples, the yellows and oranges.
Most of us do not believe in things we can’t see. We ascribe to the old maxim, “Seeing is believing!” And so our sight is limited. The truly wise person knows that “believing is seeing,” and that we see only what we believe to be true.
It is my fervent belief that God is in our world working to repair the broken and fractured places. We may not be able to see God at work with our eyes, but if we become part of the forces working for healing and reconciliation, we will discover God in the men and women with whom we work. We will see that God is at work all the time. I encourage you to join Habitat and help build a decent house for a family. Volunteer with a group that gives shelter to families who are homeless. Keep them from sleeping in a cold car or on the street. Money may be scarce but opportunities abound to make the world safer, healthier, and more secure for others.
The color of the leaves is free. God’s love is freely given. I invite you to involve yourself in sharing God’s love. You may not be able to see it right now but if you work with others you will see God.
Blessings, Karen
Monday, September 28, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Garden Wisdom
The poppies have gone by. The iris are fading and the peonies are in full bloom. The garden changes every day.
I have a morning ritual in which I walk around the garden in my robe, with a cup of coffee, to say hello to the girls who are blooming and to say goodbye to those who are departing. Imagine that four months ago snow covered these little darlings. I anticipate each day as the snow recedes and the snow drop and crocus flowers appear. Now we are deep in the heart of garden season, anticipating summer. Showers feed the bean seeds and new tomato plants encouraging the fruit which will delight us in August. For gardeners, the anticipation is as good as the actual fulfillment of the sight, smell and taste of the garden fruits.
This week as I walked with garden shears, I pondered which peonies to leave to view from the window and which to cut to bring inside to enjoy. The bouquet on the dining room table is overflowing and with fragrance that permeates each room of the house. I gaze at the flowers inside and out and I try to drink in all of their beauty as I appreciate that they will only be in full bloom for a short time.
My joy and my sadness commingle, because I know that the same is true for me and all those I love. We come and we bloom and we fade. As a Christian, I know that there is another life beyond this with Christ and with all the saints. Perhaps it is the like the winter passing into a spring fully blazing with beautiful colorful flowers. Perhaps it is a place of joy and delight where in the presence of the risen Christ, the flowers and the friends never fade.
Blessings, Karen