I picked up my first leaf this week. It has sat on my desk and is beginning to curl up from being dry, but the colors are still just as beautiful as the day it fell from the tree. It is a maple leaf that has tinges of green around the edges but is bright red in the center with very clear yellow veins running through it. It is these days of early fall when the leaves are just beginning to turn, that I enjoy picking them up and looking at them. As I understand it, the process of leaves turning colors comes from the chloroform in the leaves turning to a sugar and the coolness of temperatures turning it to red. When they are in these early stages of turning, each of the veins in the leaf are visible, like a map of a river showing all of it tributaries.
I get drawn into the details of this one leaf. The outline of each little cell, the spots on it, the little nibble here and there...and this is one leaf out of a million on this one tree out of a million. Laying there on the sidewalk in front of me like a gift. In the life of this leaf, it has breathed oxygen into our atmosphere and it has converted solar energy into power to sustain the life of a tree, and provided shelter and shade for many creatures.
So as I lovingly look at this leaf, and hold it in my hand and marvel at the intricacies and praise it for its hard work, I am feeling the love of a creator who holds me, and marvels at me, and praises me, and blesses me. Would you just pause for a moment at the wonder of creation around you and how it is all assembled to support you, AND to reflect the love of God. Consider that in our worship - personally or as a congregation - we are returning that reflection. That like the leaves, we are offering ourselves, "in praise and thanksgiving" as we say in our communion liturgy, to the glory of God.
SO pause, listen to creation around you and hear or see their song of praise!
"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." Job 12
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Psalm 19
1 comment:
Pastor Chris,
Oh, how I wish more people would respond to your little meditations. I always find something in them meant "just for me" and I'm sure others do, or would also. Someone needs to advertise for you!
I never have much liked fall because I find it rather morbid--everything is dying and preparing for winter AND my allergies flare and make me miserable along with the death thoughts. That may be why I usually collect acorns, pine cones, milkweed pods, and various other weeds or fall "leavings" to make at least one centerpiece--it's my way of telling myself that fall IS a beautiful season, just like spring when life suddenly greens up and blossoms. I used to collect leaves and press them, then scatter them around the base of fall centerpieces as reminders of exactly what you mentioned about fall leaves. I've often given away varieties of acorns, nuts, pods, and cones just to cut down on what I'm storing for another time, and, in fact, shared such with an elementary science teacher last year when he mentioned his need for a variety of pine cones. I was able to give him enough of 3 different varieties for an entire class of students and I threw in a variety of different acorns for good measure. That was my reward for collecting them in the first place and as a retired teacher, I was happy to share with children in their searches for knowledge.
I'm sure we all collect things from nature, even if it is limited to things we see or even photograph. I can recall how much enjoyment my aunt got from the gift of a leaf or an acorn when I visited her at the nursing home and I should do that for others who don't get to enjoy the outdoors any more. We have free treasures all around us and I think God means for us to share their beauty with others, not just children and shut-ins.
Janet
Post a Comment