Hands in the Dirt

Post date: May 18, 2019 12:41:56 AM

Greetings of grace and peace to you!

 . . . then the Lord God formed the human from the dust of the ground, and breathed into the nostrils the breath of life; and the human became a living being (Genesis 2.7).

Today, the flowers and plants were delivered for the Annual Dorcas Circle Plant Sale. This is a day to which I’ve been looking forward for some weeks now. I've been eager to receive my plants and herbs, wanting the colors of spring to once again adorn the back garden. The hosta and lily of the valley got a head start on me, but no matter. They bloom when they do, and I’ve been grateful for the fragrance from the lily. Also, with the delivery of my plants, I’ve been hoping that the little wren from the past few years would make her nest in one of my hanging pots.

After everyone had left, I began the task of planting. No putting it off for me! I couldn’t wait to dig in the rich soil that we have here on the church grounds. I carefully placed the vinca and lantana in the dirt and watered them. The basil and rosemary went into pots. Soon enough, I knew I would be witnessing them grow. As I dug in the dirt, I noticed the rocks in the soil, some coal, earthworms, and left over roots from previous plantings. 

At one point I took off my gardening gloves because I wanted my hands to touch the earthy soil. I scooped it up between my hands and rubbed it. It tingled, itched, and tickled a bit. That’s the stuff of life, I thought. Feeling the earth in my hands is always very grounding and calming for me. It is a connection to God’s creation, and it reminds me that from earth we came and to earth we shall return. Such a thought I don’t consider morbid; I consider it wondrous to recall God creating each one of us fearfully and wonderfully with love, and then breathing the breath of life into us.

I look forward to welcoming you, fearfully and wonderfully made beloved one, to God’s house on Sunday at 10:30 AM. The Joyful Noise Adult Choir will be singing the anthem, “We Will Glorify.” I will be preaching from Acts 11.1-18 — Peter’s vision that leads him to the house of the Roman centurion Cornelius — and my sermon title is A Wider Welcome.

For me, the simple, quiet act of gardening is joy; it is holy; and put simply, planting flowers speaks to me of God's grace. Where, and in what acts, have you heard the Spirit whispering joy, holiness, and grace to you this week? Listen . . . it’s all around us, if we but take the time to be still and feel the breath of life in the earthy goodness, or to whatever God directs your spirit.

In gratitude for the joy of being your Pastor and the holy call of loving you,

Pastor Trish