It takes all sorts- Look, See, Pray

This striking thistle-like plant is Eryngium “Big Blue”, commonly known as Sea Holly.

Tall and spiky, it contrasts well with more typical “flowery” flowers. Round the head are myriad tiny flowers, popular with bees, then a crown of blue bracts. The stems range from green to strong purple and the plant stands strong long after the pollinators have finished their busy labouring.

Gardens benefit from variety of species: it gives ongoing interest, successions of colour, and a series of amazing shapes- the garden becomes architectural.

Would you choose Sea Holly over a fragrant rose? Or exclude the fruit bushes? Maybe not: but in the right place, eryngium will perform valuable service. And it is an intriguing form. They can all belong.

Gardens make quite a good example of effective churches. Some are full of one main crop. Others go showy, bright colours and “perfect” specimens. Cottage gardens have a bit of everything! Veg, herbs, fruit and flowers mixed in glorious chaos… well, apparent chaos. Proper chaos has to be planned, you know!

St Paul, in 1 Corinthians 12:17, says something profound: “If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?”

Plant, garden, body, church… they all benefit from a full range of “parts” each with a different appearance and function. Such diversity is to be welcomed and celebrated. It may mean that we don’t end up in churches where everyone is just like me (or you). That might seem desirable or sensible, but it is very limiting.

Colossians 1:20 reminds us that “through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.”

The Church is to be the agency of reconciliation; and a shining example of grace enabling variety, diversity, and love.

You may be a rose, a gooseberry bush, or a piece of Sea Holly. Be what you are, JOYFULLY, and together we will all come closer to Christ. Growing together is fun!

Fire Dance- Look, See, Pray

I like to grow a few things that are different. Meet Loropetalum “Fire Dance” – a variety of Chinese witchhazel.

The first thing to hit you is the pungent pink of the small strappy petals. The second thing to hit you is the VERY pungent pink… They are not subtle, not at all. Flowering is steady, with the flowers standing out against the bronze/coppery leaves. There is a “light fragrance.” And they’re PINK.

I decided to describe it with words I might use to boast to other gardeners: Pink, Brash, Exotic, Unusual, Worth a Second Look, Spectacular. It seemed proper to match the print colour to the petals. Yep, it’s PINK. Almost magenta, not a pastel shade. It’s quite deliberately in your face. I’m very proud of its bold beauty.

Quite why I should feel proud is a mystery! I bought the shrub, and had no part in breeding its current form. I didn’t travel to the Chinese woodlands where they grow wild. I didn’t submit a blueprint to Mother Nature. I didn’t ask God to create me a special showy shrub so I can show off.

I just enjoy it.

I rather think God enjoys Loropetalum “Fire Dance” as well.

I don’t want to engage in ascerbic conversations about evolution or intelligent design. None of us were “there” in the Beginning. The “Book of Beginnings” is not a publication of the Royal Horticultural Society, nor a dry dusty scientific textbook.

In the Beginning… God spoke. Creation became to BE, and Life was called into Being. At various points in the narrative, God said “It is good.” In fact God said “It is VERY good.”

So that’s enough for me. And I’m rather thrilled that “Fire Dance” was included as part of the unfolding story of the Creator who sustains all things and is redeeming all things. Worth a second look, indeed.

Ways to the Way- Look, See, Pray

Do you have a favourite “method” of approaching God?

As groups/churches, we do things together: we typically sing praise and worship, we pray, we study Scripture and listen to our pastors/teachers, and we use rituals/symbolic actions like baptism and Communion. All these are wonderful ways to open ourselves to God, and bring our offering of worship. We learn about God’s ways AND we learn to love God for Himself.

Probably we “do” some of these things in personal devotions too.

Some find God seems closer when they are doing practical things – cooking, or building, serving others by showing compassionate Love. There are indeed many routes by which we approach.

It may well be that some of those “doings” DON’T help you- I have a friend who is not musical and endures the songs! Or the prospect of praying out loud scares you.

Finding out the most helpful approach for ourselves is a life-changer.

This page, “Look, See, Pray” exists because I find observing and enjoying nature in Creation really acts as a highway to heaven! Combined with my love of photography, the sights and sounds of our wonderful planet inspire me with awe of the Creator and Saviour- and I offer my pictures as an offering to the Lord- a child’s attempt to mimic and appreciate what Father has done.

Take a look at the astounding dragonfly in today’s photo. This beauty flew into the garden, and spent a while posing (resting) on the roses and the sun-warmed brick walls.

Quite content to pose, this gorgeous creature allowed me to admire and record moments in its existence. For me, the photo is a PRAYER of thanksgiving to the Creator. And I hope it may inspire you as well.

I have discovered that my spiritual health NEEDS exposure to nature. Fresh air, wonderful light, the wind and waves, the swish of plants in the breeze: the graceful swan, the hilarious-looking camel, a sunset or a dragonfly… These all point me God-wards. Contemplating such beauty brings me face-to-face with the One who spoke Creation into being. Then I am more likely to benefit from the words, music and habits of a “Christian life.”

So then… Do YOU have a favourite “method” of approaching God?
How would you explain it to someone who enquired about your living faith and your trust in Christ?

Be blessed as you give the question some deep thought!