Saturday, April 4, 2015

Dear God,

You have taught me to pay attention to what happens in life.  Such happenings can provide valuable life lessons.

Today I worked hours to finish clearing the area under the three tall pines at the back of our property.  Over the years the trees have grown and the underbrush has taken over, only I couldn't see it.  A few days ago I walked the area and realized it was totally out of control.  Several trees, some as much as six foot tall had seeded themselves.  Vines crept all along the soil.  Weeds were everywhere.  So I took all my tools and began to work.  I sawed dead limbs.  I pruned and shaped the pines.  I pulled up the vines.  I dug out numerous invasive trees.  I raked, filled lawn bags, and cleared away debris.  When I finished, I was surprised to see how lovely the area was. 

As I write, I think of how the spiritual life can also get in great disarray.  When neglected, seeds of doubt, fear, and resentment can secretly weave themselves into our souls.  They can grow and grow and grow seeking power along the way.  They can grow to great heights if not tended.  Before long the good is lost to the bad. 

But then the Master Gardener comes along and offers us another option.  When we say yes to the offer the gardener gets right to work, first cleaning things up and clearing away the debris.  Then the real problems are uncovered, the deep roots of undesirable thoughts and behaviors.  The gardener knows these take hard work, digging deep to break the roots and pull them up.  Then the pruning begins to reshape the soul.  When the gardener finally takes away all the undesirables, we learn a desirable soul can exist and thrive all because the gardener loves.

Great Gardener of the Soul,
thank you
for your
holy work.
Thank you
for taking
the nasty leavings
of a
neglected soul
and cleaning it up.
Thank you
for your
kind compassion
and healing power.

Yours, Andrea