Lavender – Look, See, Pray

Indulge me in a spot of nostalgia! Today’s delectable weather included high winds and heavy showers, so I decided to look for some sunshine & warmth. Bees on sunny-scented warm lavender did the trick! Imagining the gentle droning of happy bees is a lovely way to spend some indoors time.

Can nostalgia be a spiritual practice or discipline?

It depends on what we are hankering after. To live in the past is not ideal, especially if it causes us to devalue the present or future.

On the other hand, we are shaped by our personal experiences and social history, and we need the perspective that can be gained. Someone I know who regularly makes the same mistake, time after time, is both annoying and pitiful. Another acquaintance has gained wisdom and reputation by taking the time to learn from a range of experience AND apply that wisdom to support and guide others.

Looking back can be helpful- or dangerous. Lot’s wife “looked back” at her old life and was turned into a pillar of salt (see Genesis 19). There is a salt-rock feature near the Dead Sea named “The Pillar of Lot’s Wife.”

More positively, there are several instances where Israelites erected altars or stone monuments, dug wells, and planted trees where a significant God-encounter happened. These reminded them of the nature and power of God, and inspired Israel to put the Lord first. These became symbols of faith and obedience.

Now, I am a “visual” person. I respond to what I see, and find inspiration in observing and photographing the handiwork of our Creator. So my collection of photos is like a Book of Psalms- I use them to remember, to praise God, to be thankful, and to learn from the actions and interactions I have seen. Which is why this ‘Look, See, Pray’ page exists. Bees and plants (etc) can be keys to unlock the soul.

If you respond in similar ways, your own photos or paintings may serve you well. Or perhaps for you it is sound, smell, taste or touch that can unlock good spiritual nostalgia. Try them out: see what helps you enter the Presence of Christ. Used alongside Word & Spirit, nostalgia can be a blessing to lead you onward with God.

And if you find ‘Look, See, Pray’ stimulating, please recommend or forward posts to others. Thanks and bless you!

When looking at the end result, gardening is obviously so easy. This bed of astrantia and lavender just grew! You wish.

Behind every floral display, bag of apples, or immaculate lawn there is a story involving hours of effort and a measure of skill. Today I spent three hours weeding. It’s done, and so am I. My back aches, my knees creak, and the invading brambles have left little thorny souvenirs in my fingers.

The only evidence is the bare soil between the tidier plants. All the sweat and tear-drops have been swallowed by the thirsty soil.

I love gardening- hands in the soil, choosing plants, sowing seed, enjoying the colours and the birdsong. I feel part of Creation in a deeper way. And, often, I feel connected to God. There have been times over the years when knotty issues have been thought & prayed through over a trowel. Looking at the favourite roses, or photographing a choice specimen of rich colour and form, is in a way an act of praise and thanksgiving.

Gardening has parallels to the devotional life: it requires obedience, wisdom, stamina, faith, and discipline. In the same way, building a strong spirituality requires effort, willingness, and humility. Now, the New Testament uses the example of athletes racing as an illustration of discipleship. Runners don’t win accidentally, as a general rule! Personally, running races is a distant memory- but gardening is a current passion.

So then, a gardener’s instruction to Richard of Aldwick: “Dig the soil well, and weed it thoroughly, not letting the brambles take over. Choose plants wisely, and nourish them well- water the soil as necessary, and prune poor growth and dead wood. Wait patiently as God gives growth; enjoy sunshine and gentle rain, enjoy birdsong and give thanks at all times. Watch out for slugs and weevils, and remember to share the joy of your garden with all who pass by.”

God likes gardens- He first gave us one in Eden, and calls us now to be good stewards of this wonderful world. There’s a task for a lifetime!