Mark: and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how.
I love spring with new life springing forth. Where I live, calves, lambs, and foals are bursting on the scene. The spring birds are singing. Tulips, daffodils, and fragrant hyacinth are pushing through the rich, damp earth. The days are longer and trees are budding. Typically, there is a short window between the trees budding and sneezing, but this year I feel better about spring. Scientifically, there are explanations, but even with explanations, it is a wonder each and every spring.
In college, I majored in geology and one of the required classes was organic chemistry. I disliked the idea of chemistry in general but wandered into the class where a new professor stood. His name was Ted. Ted was originally from Texas where he was born and raised Baptist until he discovered the world of science and it opened his eyes to the point that he became an atheist. In his mind, science explained everything so there was no room for God.
That notion never sat right with me, why couldn't you have science and God at the same time? I came to think that the space between all those electrons, neutrons and protons was filled with God, that God was everywhere from the smallest atom to the immense universe, and beyond.
When I was young, and at camp, we had the equivalent of a secret Santa. My secret Santa was the head of the camp and my gift was a piece of wood with a painted pink columbine and words from William Blake, "To see the world in a grain of sand, and heaven in a wildflower..." What a cherished gift that was.
It was given to me when I was nine. My cousin, next-door neighbor, and best friend, Eleanor died of a brain tumor only a few months before camp started. The forty-eighth anniversary of her death is coming up this Friday. She was an angel from the very beginning, so to see those words painted on a piece of wood, reminded me of Eleanor every time. The "heaven in a wildflower" that got me every time.
Ladybugs were Eleanor's thing. After she died, I would see a ladybug and think of her. A couple of days ago, I encountered a ladybug, thought of Eleanor, and then thought that it was way too early for ladybugs. That morning, it was 29 degrees, and by the time I saw the ladybug, the temperature had risen to 60; but it still seemed too early for them.
Today's verse reminds me that there is still wonder in the world if we but observe. Thank you, God, for your infinite wonders, in spring, chemistry, poems, memories, friendships, and love.
April 27
Mark: and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how.
Luke: There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”
John: Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you want?” or, “Why are you speaking with her?”
Acts: For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed,
Galatians: For it is written, “Rejoice, you childless one, you who bear no children, burst into song and shout, you who endure no birth pangs; for the children of the desolate woman are more numerous than the children of the one who is married.”
Ephesians: and do not make room for the devil.
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