Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, March 1, 2016
PEACE – Feeling God’s Presence in the Garden
A snowy, icy, sleet-filled day today. A day quite the opposite of the personal definition of PEACE I’d like to highlight.
But, I’m getting ahead of myself. As I continue my listening tour, in my efforts to pursue PEACE, I come to another point of view. Another opinion of PEACE. This one comes from Jane McInnis, who says “PEACE is feeling God’s presence in the garden.”
I appreciate Rev. Joe McInnis’s invitation to attend the church he pastors, in Wilmette, Illinois. I was glad I had the chance to worship with the congregation, too. After the service on Saturday, Pastor Joe’s wife Jane gave me her view.
I asked her to elaborate on her definition. “Being out in a garden, either working with the soil or arranging things to bring about a beautiful result. These things bring such a feeling of peace. There are lots of parallels. You have to dig a little deeper to get good results. When you plant, sometimes you have to dig to set the plants properly. Dig deep so the plants can take. Sometimes you even dig to reach that peaceful place.”
I’ve seen the skill Jane has with growing things and gardens. She can bring wonderful things out of very little, indeed. And, getting down to basics? Green things, growing in the rich soil. Such a metaphor for us and our lives before God. I am afraid I’m a beginner (at most, an advanced beginner) at this garden stuff.
Yes, I used to help my mom dig up the garden and plant young plants at the house where I grew up, in Chicago. However, it’s been more than ten years since Mom died and the house was sold. Quite some time since I dug in the soil.
Dear Lord, gracious God, thank You for this deep and touching analogy. All kinds of emotions are tied up with my memories, remembering how I used to help in the garden. I also appreciate Your multi-faceted bounty of differing kinds of plants. Growing things. Help me to stay green and growing. Help me to be nurturing, kind and loving to all who come within my reach. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayers.
Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.
Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind. @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er
matterofprayer 