Peace
This scene was chosen because at first it might look boring, ordinary, or not worth a second look. But it is meant to calm you, to imagine the peace of a tranquil scene.
Dormant Time
I am currently experiencing a dormant time, forced upon me by preparation and recuperation from minor surgery*. This has been a time to clear away the cobwebs, to get deep rest. I’ve had to let others do things for me instead of being so self-sufficient. At least I haven’t been bedridden or incapacitated, just unable to use my right hand for a while. My right hand!! But that’s the one I use for everything.
I have learned that my left hand can do a lot more than I previously gave it credit for. And I also learned that vegetables taste the same, even when they are cut up by someone else, and not in my favorite way.
For some reason, this slow time has coincided with less social media scrolling and more reading actual books. Reading books exposes you to information or entertainment that has been more carefully thought out, researched, proofread, and verified. Try it, you’ll like it!
Germinating
A seed waits in the ground until the conditions are just right for it to emerge through the surface. Some tree seeds require fire to open up and take root, sometimes waiting years. Flower bulbs must endure freezing temperatures to be able to sprout. It’s interesting to me that the “right” conditions often involve pain, discomfort, or unpleasant weather.
This current quiet time has opened me up to new thoughts about my purpose and goals in life. More on that to come in due time.
Contemplate
Why not take a few minutes to stare at the photo above, or look out the window long enough to notice something you hadn’t noticed before. As I was writing this, I looked up at the tree outside my window and saw a bird drop down to the ground to search for a worm. It’s worth looking away from screens as often as we can. I like to observe things not made by human hands, and thank the Creator for these gifts.
Think about the parable of the seed and the sower from Luke 8. The sower scattered the same seeds, but they landed in different places. Some places were conducive to growth, and others actually killed the seed before it could sprout. If the seed is the Word of God, and we are the soil, let’s check to see if we might need to break up the hard ground so the seed can sprout and flourish.
*If you are wondering what happened to me – after many years of procrastination, I had carpal tunnel surgery for severe nerve damage. The surgery was successful, and I am enjoying a new freedom while I observe the healing process.
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