Last week in the County a fierce winter storm erupted, fronted by a dark snowy squall. It came racing across the Great Lake and howled in from Peter’s Point. Frigid cold. Wind gusts of 80 klicks. Cows, sheep and horses all sequestered to their protected shelters. Deer lay deep in forest crooks while heavy snow carpeted the remaining winter crops.
The paths of Lent often follow tracks of peaceful repose and meditative aspirations but it is not always so. Winter storms can rise up in a moment, causing hearts to harden, veins to ice over, minds to become fearful, and laughter to vanish.
Yet, beneath it all the warm earth quietly carries the seeds of life—physically and spiritually. Hidden below the snow-clad fields the powers of possibility prepare themselves for later Lenten salvos. The seed is still. The soil is alive. And the Spirit yields life giving energies to all who open their hands to receive Her.
The poet hints at such subtle expressions of joy when pondering the “tiny seed that sleeps in what is small”—
“I find you, Lord, in all Things and in all
my fellow creatures, pulsating with your life;
as a tiny seed you sleep in what is small
and in the vast you vastly yield yourself. . . “
Coming full circle: My heart (and yours) may be cold from the sudden icy blast. But the “start” remains strong due to Lenten graces reaching far beyond any power of our own.
The poet goes on to suggest ”groping in roots and growing thick in trunks and in treetops like a rising from the dead.” (Rainer Maria Rilke, “I Find You, Lord, in all Things and in all”). Dare we hope Easter is on the horizon?
Oh Pastor Alan, I often marveled at your spiritual insights. “Yet, beneath it all the warm earth quietly carries the seeds of life—physically and spiritually”.
I ponder often sometimes shaking my head when I see clear through my storms. And while I try to quiet down to grasp the seed the Holy Spirit revealed. That can be a task with so many moving parts.
Your musing gave a rush as I just read John 5. And see how Jesus was hated for calling Abba Father etc in this chaotic scene. So I ponder….what is wrong there…isn’t Abba the Father of all flesh and God of all. Just a seed is required and the Spirit will do the rest I said to myself. And even if you don’t understand it all… the season will take care of it. I’m trying to let go myself😌
Footnote: we are all in the storm just that our individual circumstances may be different. And we all benefit from that one seed. So I wait for my seed to burst through the harsh realities…..Blessings Pastor Alan💜
“The seed is still. The soil is alive. And the Spirit yields life giving energies to all who open their hands to receive Her.” Love this.