Beauty surrounds us, but we usually need to be walking in a garden to know it - Rumi
The other day someone asked me why I posted so much about the garden. I think the answer is simple really. Here one experiences the glory of God in a very small space – the birds, the animals, the insects, the flowers, shrubs and trees as well as the vegetables. And there is so much of it!
Over the weekend our new neighbours came in for a coffee bringing their 2 year old son Harry with them. As it was a warm sunny day we sat in the garden. Young Harry has a “thing” about ladybirds and wanted to see if he could find one. And so I had to help him search the leaves and plants for the elusive ladybird. Eventually he found one. His little face lit up as he watched the tiny creature race across the leaves before spreading its wings and flying off. Harry was disappointed at that but we assured him that there were plenty more ladybirds and would he like to look for one? By this time, of course, his attention was focused elsewhere – on a snail! And perhaps that is the point; not only is God’s Creation beautiful – how did He make all the internal organs for such a tiny creature and paint its shell so beautifully? - it is also abundant. God made all those creatures, big and small as well as the inquisitive little boy and the old man who huffed and puffed as he bent down over the plants to help him in his search. He made them and He made us custodians of His fragile earth and all that is in it. From His love for us God provides an abundance of His creation for us to enjoy; abundant beyond our needs or belief. How then should we respond to that unconditional and abundant love? Surely the only way is by giving our all to His purpose. After all as we are reminded by the prayer of Teresa of Avila (1515–1582) Christ Has No Body Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks Compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, Yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world. Christ has no body now on earth but yours. So show the world the glory of God in all you do or say
2 Comments
Steve Givens
9/5/2016 09:57:43 pm
Beautiful reflection. I was there watching Harry. My own grandson, Noah, has yet to master the idea of standing still long enough to look for something so small and delicate...but I hope I can show him the way. Keep to your garden, and keep sharing it with us.
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Peter
10/5/2016 10:08:23 am
Thanks for your encouragement Steve. Cherish young Noah whilst you can, he will grow up far too quickly. The Lord will guard and guide him through you of course. God bless you.
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AuthorI am an Authorised Local Preacher in an Anglo Catholic parish church, in the Diocese of Essex UK Archives
February 2022
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