The weather this week seems particularly chilly, damp and misty.  The ground is soggy and for the most part the trees and hedges are bare and leafless, unwelcoming to the birds foraging or soon to be nesting. The insects are still hidden away, waiting for more sun and warmth.  But already we are seeing the beginnings of approaching spring: snowdrops, green spikes of emerging crocuses and daffodils, and the occasional bee venturing out.  Through the discouraging weather all around us are the signs of promise, and the confident hope of blossom and growth.

Sunday’s readings from Psalm 1 and Jeremiah 17 give us a wonderful, vibrant image of God’s promise of flourishing life for us, whatever the soggy or desert times in our lives, the times when we are overburdened with cares or carried away by our wants and desires.

This image is of a great tree planted by a stream, with roots reaching out to the water, deeply anchored and fed even when there are times of drought.  Because of this deep-rootedness it continues to grow green leaves and produce fruit.  This tree is an expression of the strength, resilience and identity gifted to everyone who trusts in God, everyone who is always reaching out to the nourishment promised in God’s Word and Spirit. Because it/he/she is deep-rooted in the Spiritual stream, the tree / the person thrives and bears fruit.  Jeremiah and the Psalmist both describe this person as blessed, as having the spiritual peace and wellbeing that stems from being in the right relationship with God.

I love this picture of the tree planted by the stream, because for me it speaks of how God has deliberately chosen to bless us by placing us close to him, within reach of his Spiritual water, and we just have to persevere in stretching out our roots to receive it.  But a tree takes a long time to grow before it is ready to fruit, and, spiritually, so do we – so we need to have patience and determination to reach towards God’s promise, and God helps us with these challenges.  When the tree is ready to fruit, there is so much potential held within a tiny seed just waiting to be released and to spread more life.  It makes me think of how God has blessed us with the potential to do so much, and to be able to pass on the blessings to others.  In all sorts of ways, tiny and great, God has given us the task and opportunity to make a difference for others.  As I understand it, trees often thrive best in company with other trees, able to communicate through their root systems, so this image makes me think of how we have been planted and fed to be community together, sheltering each other and sharing nourishment.

In my mind’s eye I see all these different trees standing tall and reaching up and out in a great forest of thanks and praise to God.

I would like to share with you an anonymous acrostic poem:
Begin your day with
Love in your heart.
Expect blessings,
Share goodness,
Shine like the sun, and
Inspire someone.
Never forget that
God is with you all the time, so
Sow seeds of kindness in the hearts of others.
May God’s BLESSINGS be with us always.

Let us bless the Lord.

Lucy G

Image by Matthew Chadwick, used with permission.