Feeding into a small project I’ve been part of recently, I’ve been thinking of the ‘largest of all garden plants’ and ‘the birds of the sky* are able to nest in its shade…’
“When planted, it grows and becomes…”
Perhaps we might recognise or even realise a place we can all share. Where we can find shelter, sanctuary, shade, harbour, rest and relief. From the throat and heart to the stretching vascular meristems… it can become a life supporting structure. A place we can share stories, support, nutrition and relief, as well as a place to design, create, educate and grow…
If heaven is like this, we can perhaps sneak a glimpse of it. It’s not just a wonderful world, it’s a mighty world… the world around us can have great strength and value. If we think of the resources around us, perhaps they are in-deed mightier than we can comprehend.
As people, we are a vibrant mix of characters and cultures, colours, voices, insights and dreams. Some live in the north some in the south, some will sing together and some will never meet, eye to eye. We all sing different notes in different styles but are perhaps part of the same throng, capable of marvellous murmuration, rejuvenating ritual and intimate ingenuity.
The energy that can bind us is bigger and mightier than we can comprehend. Perhaps it should be valued, shared and celebrated.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.” Mark 4:30-32
From the delicately delightful Priscilla Ahn‘s “free as any child would wanna be”
From the deep resonance of Paul Robeson when he sang Joyce Kilmer‘s words, perhaps “only God can make a tree…”
If your interest is piqued, there’s more here… BBC’s Something Understood, Mark Tully asks why trees are so important to us.
And, from the BBC’s @BBCideas The girl who changed the world with an acorn An urban fairy tale which challenges us to think about the way we interact…
Jules P Richards 