If a Tree Fell

Out of the ground, God made to grow trees for beauty, for food, and for life, and trees that are symbolic. Have you ever thought about trees not being able to move themselves? ... They can only be displaced if they are uprooted by humans or severe weather... For the most part, trees have no choice...  Imagine that wherever you were born, you must remain your entire life, that God made you to grow in one spot. What would be the hardest part of being immobile? Would there be an advantage to it? Who or what would you like to have visit you most often as you remained in this one place." 

Longing for Home: Daily Reflections for Lent (United Church of Canada)

Home often refers to a designated spot. You can picture a house or city that comes to mind when someone asks "where is your home?" It is more rare today when whole families live within 50 miles of each other. Prompting Sherm Kauffman to muse “It’s getting so the Abrahamic thing to do is to stay put.”

I can't decide if the idea of being rooted to one spot is so remote because I have a wanderlust soul after moving almost every two years as a youth, or is it because I am not ready to pronounce I am powerless, as the first acknowledgment in The Twelve Steps. I don't tolerate traffic jams, finding a way to go rogue on side streets, even if that means going into unknown neighborhoods and adding miles to the trip. I just want to keep moving, unchained, full of options.

The next day after reading the tree devotion, I listened to an interview with a Benedictine monk who shared that stability is one of the four vows taken when joining the order. They promise to remain in that community as part of their calling. Thomas Merton believes, in making this vow, “the monk renounces the vain hope of wandering off to find a ‘perfect monastery.'” This will be their imperfect home, with imperfect people, with a great faith in their perfect mission. 

The hardest part of being immobile? Watching the comings and goings. Selfishly, I always feel left behind when I drop someone at the airport. The tree waits patiently, offering its life for others, on their terms, in their time. Yes. That is a challenge. 

Not yet ready to root myself, I'm thankful to find them in my wanderings, resting in their shade, admiring their silhouette, eating their offering. It's hard to choose a favorite: Pecan, Pine, Redwood, Peach, Willow, resilient Mesquite. 

And in my egotistical nomadic life, if a tree falls and I'm not there to hear it... 

Saints Alive

Saints are a mysterious brood. I envision them like the distant cousins that are discussed but live too far to come to the family gatherings.  You hear of their adventures through the one aunt that keeps in contact but you've never spoken with them. You don’t know whether to be envious of their remoteness or sad that they will never hear Aunt Meredith snoring after the meal or hear Uncle Wayne’s stories of riding the rails.

There’s yet another Lenten study I found that lends itself to lively conversation, witty banter, rivalry and an occasional wager – rarely Lenten adjectives, but it is balanced by the true mission, to share historical accounts of 32 selected saints. http://www.lentmadness.org Day by day one saint’s biography is aligned with another saint and after reading each saint’s transformation and effect on others, the reader votes for the one they believe should advance to the next bracket. Yes, bracket like college basketball’s March Madness. Eventually one saint will be acknowledged with the golden halo – the pinnacle of the exercise. People, like me, who couldn't pick Saint Hildegard out of a lineup are beginning to welcome them into their living rooms.

Today’s readings explored Gregory and Brendan. Gregory the Illuminator was instrumental in bringing Christianity to the people of Armenia, which was the first nation to embrace Christianity as its official religion. TMZ might gleefully mention that he and his wife were examples of the first “consciously uncoupling” as they each wanted to enter monastic life. Brendan the Navigator earned his name by traversing the British Isles and founding monasteries. He started looking for the legendary land across the Atlantic when he was 80 years old and inspired Christopher Columbus 900 years later. TMZ would pounce on the sound bite that Brendan, an adventurer, bragged about never stopping to ask for directions. Irish, adventurer, stubborn - I had to vote for family.

Some say that there must be proof of miracles before gaining the title. Some say saints that have gone ahead of us can still intercede for us today. Some say we can learn what God is like by examining a saint’s life. Some say we are all saints.

I am more like the distant cousin who sees names in the family tree, but never got to put a face with the name. But I am coming home, to meet our saints.

Longing For Home

After a cold snap that dropped 40 degrees the best alternative for President’s Holiday was to stay home and fire up Google. I have never been a good example of one who observes Lent through fasting or sacrifice, but this year I thought I could at least try a study for Lent. With only two days left before Ash Wednesday and no Amazon Prime, the study needed to be on-line.

I had to chase several leads, but ultimately think I struck gold. I found a program sponsored by the United Church of Canada named "Longing for Home" The plan incorporates the traditional printed book/ebook with a host of technology and social media props. YouTube is utilized to start a conversation, which is then carried over to Facebook for discussion, and by the end of the week encourages a meal for one-on-one community.  The interactions thus far have been more than I hoped.

I made the mistake of reading before I went to bed. After poems, reflections, questions, and recipes, my mind was stimulated and longing for more. I visited donteatalone.blogspot.com who intentionally writes daily during Lent, whose words just increased the appetite. Followed by concordpastor.blogspot.com who had a spot-on prayer. 

That’s when it struck me - home for me, is words. I am drawn, fed, awakened, consoled and embraced through words. As a prodigal, who longs for home, if I am to approach, it will be through words.

When deciding an action for Lent, rather than considering what could be given up, the concentration should be “Will this bring me closer to God? (Sister Tracy Dugas) 

Beyond reading I intend to piece together words on my side as well. I know the blessings and the commitment involved, which has kept me quiet for some time, but if the question to be answered is “Will this bring me closer to God?” Past experiences can only point towards the affirmative.

I am coming home.