Nature

I’ve seen some doves flying in the trees near my apartment recently but I’ve not seen them close up.  During a recent  spiritual direction  phone call, a dove landed on my balcony railing.  This was significant to me for our conversation was about spiritual communication.

In Christianity, a dove is often a symbol of the Holy Spirit.  So my first thought on seeing the dove was that God was reminding me that the Holy Spirit is present in my session.

A couple moments later, the single dove was joined by two more doves.  In Christianity, three is a symbol of the Trinity.  The second  dove came right up to the window on the floor of the balcony.  The third one almost flew into the window but turned before it hit the window.

As I reflected on the three doves, I wondered, “Was God saying, “Let me in?  I’m here but you aren’t paying attention?”

My prayer was, “God, I want to pay attention.  I know you are present.   I need your help to open the door of my heart to be more aware of your love. Amen.

Gusty winds blow strongly, spreading dandelion seeds, casting out dead branches, causing power outages.

Where do they come from?

What brings these wild gusts?  Why are they so strong today?

Just when they seem to calm down, they blow strong again.

Objects that aren’t grounded are blown away.  Trees with strong root systems bend with the wind but don’t break.

Meteorologists give us explanations, but we still wonder.

The gusty wind makes me think of life.  There are times when we feel almost blown over in our lives.  We may feel blown about like a dandelion seed.  We feel overwhelmed when many things are demanded of us at the same time.  We may feel like all our energy is gone. The challenge is getting connected to our  Divine Energy.  Perhaps it’s time to reflect on what are the dead branches in our lives. What are the branches that aren’t life-giving?  How are we rooted and grounded in God?

That’s when my prayer is the beginning of psalm 130:  “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.  Lord, hear my prayer, let my cry come unto you.”

The situation doesn’t generally change but usually a glimmer of hope comes.

Holy Creator of Wind, thank you for your presence.  Blow your wisdom in our overwhelming situations.  Assist us to stay grounded and know we’re surrounded by your presence.  Give us your energy to deal with each situation in an appropriate matter.  Help us let go of what isn’t life-giving in our lives, knowing that you will guide us to new energy.  Amen.

My neighbor has a crab apple tree just starting to bud.  The branches are covered with small green leaves and tiny deep pink buds.

The beauty of the tree is in contrast to the huge oak tree nearby.  Even though its spring, that oak tree seems still to be in winter mode – strong, sturdy and deeply rooted but not a leaf in sight.

Sometimes I feel more like the oak tree without leaves.  How have I deepened spiritually during the winter?  Hopefully I’m deeply rooted in God like the oak tree in the earth.  Even though I may not feel that rootedness, I know God is the source of my groundedness.

As I delight in the budding crab apple trees, I feel a sense of hope in the new life coming forth in spring.  I reflect on the Scriptures that fit this spring season.  Two come quickly to mind:

Isaiah 43:13 “See I am doing something new, it springs forth.  Do you not perceive it?

John 10:10b “I came that you may have life and have it to the full.”

Springtime can give us hope as we see nature awakening.

What new thing is God inviting to come forth in you?

Holy Creator, thank you for the beauty and hope of springtime.  Help us become awake to the new things you are bringing forth in us.  Guide us to sense the abundant life we have as we grow in our relationship with you.  May we share the newness coming forth in us for your glory.   Amen.