It’s a perfect time for me to be home in Portland, because the weather has been mostly gorgeous and the trees ands flowers have been bursting forth with so much beauty. I have felt really cared for after many months in the bleak, gray Dresden winter where I have no green out the window of our apartment. I have become more aware of the ministry of the trees since living in a home that separates me from them. As I shared in class (and thank you, Katy for acknowledging the vulnerability in doing so!), I have been more consistent in tuning in to God’s love which I find tangibly present in trees, plants and birds. I have made it a twice weekly ritual to take the tram to the large city park in Dresden and have felt the physical buzz of love emanating from the trees, even in winter. No wonder a dear friend of my daughter’s was saved from suicidal thoughts by a long walk in the woods.
I have also been focusing quite intently on renewing my inner dialogue based on the truth that, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat of its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 So I have been trying to speak life over myself, other people (especially those who irritate or anger me) and the trees. I approach the trees, not as neutral, but as loving and filled long ago with God’s loving intentions – I receive and speak love. I often feel this like electricity on my skin and increased well being. I was blessed to revisit the water experiment recently – a Japanese researcher found that water molecules are made more beautiful and organized when loving words are spoken over a glass of water. This is such a stunning reminder of our God given power. (you can find videos about it on youtube -Dr. Masuru Emoto is the researcher.)
I feel that the upshot of these small shifts is a more gracious every day experience. And a more gracious everyday experience equips me to extend that grace a bit better and protects me a bit more from discouragement and exhaustion. And I hope that this will teach me how to be a better partner and relative of all creation. I suppose it’s also worth it outside of specific benefits to simply be in more profound connection with the hidden reality around me.
1 comment
Thank you for your reflection, Brigid! I looked into this water research and WOW! I’ve always been someone who talks and sings to the creatures and plants around me because I believed that it had an impact on their well-being. But I had no idea something could be happening on the molecular level to support this. This revelation has really heightened my awareness of how I interact with everyone and everything around me.