Preparing to Bloom

(GARDEN INSPIRED REFLECTIONS ON THE LENTEN JOURNEY)

“Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and begin to blossom.” Isaiah 35: 1

I received a lovely gift surprise this week. (And as you ‘all know, carefully thought-out handmade gifts are my “love language.”) I was deeply touched to unpack a Harry and David carton- and discover a rustic, handmade wooden box filled with Paperwhite (Narcissus) bulbs-already planted in a fertile soil mix- and just waiting for me to water them and put them in the window, or outside in the garden.

It strikes me as an incredibly hopeful and instructive Lenten activity- waiting and watching for bulbs to push their way up through the dark, moist, soil so they can bloom. Blooming is one of Mother Gaia’s flag waving, attention getting endeavors- as she lives in her integrity while drawing our attention to the natural movement of seasonal cycles- and her mysteries of life, death, and resurrection.

In worship a couple of weeks ago, when we explored the “Parable of the Sower”- I shared Wendell Berry’s observations of his friend- a Southdown Sheep breeder- who in the early spring, “wanted to see in his pastures- what he called ‘bloom.’ Berry elaborates that, “By this he wasn’t referring to the yet to bloom flowers. What he was looking for was a certain freshness- a spirit of in-between- a visible delectability.

We are in that “spirit of in-between” now in the Season of Lent. Epiphany has passed and Easter isn’t yet here. We are no longer locked down, but also not quite free of the pandemic. We have sold our property at UCH and are not yet clear what the future will look like. It’s still winter. We have a surprising amount of snow on the high places that surround the Bay Area this week (can anyone say climate change?). But spring is also emerging in a myriad of ways. The Clivia (South African Bush Lilies) in my garden- that started out as 1 gifted plant from a congregation I was serving years ago are bursting with buds. My original Mama Clivia has given birth to multiple babies. And her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren now number around 18. They aren’t quite blooming yet. But I always look forward to their collective awakening as they get ready to bloom in early March. Indeed, there is a “visible delectability” and a magnificent “in-between freshness” in their bright green and orange, swelling, preparations.

As the Season of Lent begins, I invite you to-not just to inward reflection- but to a time of watching the transformation of the natural world and noticing how it affects you inwardly. Put on your hat, and coat and go out and observe the plants and trees in your yard. Get out and walk in nature or in your neighborhood if you are able. Pay attention to the foliage as you are out running your errands or going to and from work. As the Prophet Isaiah might put it for us in 21st Century city terms: “Even the (urban) wilderness will be glad in those days…Because It will rejoice and begin to blossom.” Isaiah 35: 1.

I am grateful to walk beside you- as your Minister and Teacher. May the presence of the Divine overshadow you in coming days as we undertake the inward and outward Lenten journey. And may we be richly blessed as the bulbs we have planted in Holy ground on our way to Jerusalem, stretch up from the depths and prepare to bloom.   

- With Infinite Love and Gratitude, Rev. Jeanne