Ordinary Time

Pause

There beneath the willow tree
I learned a lot about the way of things
I learned that everything (the wind, the leaves) has breath inside …

I know
I know this
There is beauty in the way of things

from “There Beneath” by The Oh Hellos (2015)

Listen

“As for the seed that was spread on rocky ground, this refers to people who hear the word and immediately receive it joyfully. Because they have no roots, they last for only a little while. When they experience distress or abuse because of the word, they immediately fall away. As for the seed that was spread among thorny plants, this refers to those who hear the word, but the worries of this life and the false appeal of wealth choke the word, and it bears no fruit.”

Matthew 13:20-22

Think

My husband and I recently purchased a home. It hits every check on our list – great town, basement, and a backyard for our puppy and garden. But in the months that the house was for sale, maintenance of the garden had fallen to the wayside. When we moved in, it wasn’t on our priority list and has continued to spiral out of control.

The garden is completely overgrown with weeds and ant hills, and it needs love. Every time I look out to that spot I cringe. I cringe thinking about how gnarly the garden has become and because of how much hard work it’s going to take to make it a manageable space. Putting forth the effort to make it a real garden seems like too much work that won’t be fun.

Spirituality is like that as well. We crave to be closer to God, but cringe when we see the work and the daily care that is involved. Like a garden, we must be willing to roll up our sleeves and tend to our relationship with God so that we will see good fruit.

Sarah Briggs Amoth

Pray

God, give me the desire to grow in relationship with you. Help me to see the joy in the work. Amen.

Go

I pray light will
Leak from our pockets
We’ll be drenched, overcome
At night the fireflies
Streamers at our sides
Silent flaming arcs of hope

All things will change
We wait for the rain
And the promise remains

from “Jacaranda Tree” by Josh Garrels (2008)