Stain Glass Lens of the 21st Century

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  • Have You Been Forest Bathing Lately?

    Have You Been Forest Bathing Lately?

    In his book, The Little Book of Lykke, Meik Wiking explains Shinrin-yoku as a means of refreshing our souls and resetting our psychological health by getting a good dose of forest bathing! 

    During these stressful days of pandemic living I highly recommend you try some forest bathing.  All one needs is a good set of walking shoes, perhaps a walking stick and some comfortable clothing (just in case you got the wrong idea!).  Then find a patch of forest to “bathe” in. 

    This kind of bathing involves taking in everything around you with all your senses. Breathing in the fresh clean air, pausing to touch and focus your sights on every detail of the green foliage and at times closing your eyes to listen deeply to the birds, babbling brook or the wind through the leaves.   It is a mindful hike that may take your soul to great heights but you may physically not travel far.  In fact, even if one took a chair out to a group of trees and sat under them breathing in the entire experience, one would be forest bathing. 

    Wiking writes, “There is existing evidence of a positive relationship between happiness and exposure to green or natural environments in our lives.”  

    The forest, one of God’s earliest creations is full of divine mystery and undiscovered healing.  Many have said that they do not need church so long as they can walk in nature; that it is in nature where they meet God.  For me the mystical beauty of the forest is enhanced by my deep reverence for God’s church.  Without one or the other it would be a lopsided life.

    Even Job, despite all his hardships knew that God could not be contained by our understanding, “Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?” (Job 26:14)

     So, why not make time this week to go forest bathing either by a mindful walk in the forest or simply by sitting near a garden or a tree and rest long enough to hear God’s small whispers?

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

    The Photo with today’s Blog was taken by Anastasiya Romanova

  • A Persistent Hope!

    A Persistent Hope!

    It started as a tiny, thin stem shooting up in the most unlikely of places- right between the patio stones and my driveway. I paused daily to cheer it on all the while thinking “It doesn’t have a chance to grow in such a place.”  But grow it did. In fact, it grew so tall it outgrew the side of our deck, and as I write it reaches up about 2.5 feet.

    And is it ever beautiful; full of lovely purple flowers! Google tells me its name is Harebell and it grows wild, which means it has the tenacity to root even in the most desolate places adding indescribable beauty.

    I have been calling her “Hope” for the past two weeks.  I asked my one son if he could snap a photo of Hope and he knew immediately what I meant (his photo is what I used for this Blog).

    Hope has a way of growing in the most difficult places such as discouraged hearts, downcast spirits, and pandemic fatigued souls.  These are not easy times; many are struggling with the endurance of living under the influence of COVID-19.  As I write it is the twentieth week of the pandemic in Grey and Bruce Counties with no end in sight.  I know I am feeling frustrated, bored, and restless.  There are moments I lament, “When will this all be behind us?”

    Then I commit myself to find signs of hope around me; I refuse to despair when God has filled creation with so much beauty.  I remind myself that this is but a part of the story, joy will return.

    The Psalmist knew this as well. Being honest about our discouragement is the best way to navigate ourselves back to hope, as Psalm 42 reminds us, the discouragement is only for a while:

    “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42: 5 & 11)

    Poet Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) also found hope in this same flower for she wrote, “Hope is like a Harebell…” and I add because it is determined to root and blossom into all its beauty despite everything.

    So, go and be a Harebell!

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

  • The Rain Barrel Runneth Over

    The Rain Barrel Runneth Over

    Two weeks ago, the grass had turned a dull shade of yellow and made a crunching sound with every step. Water bans were placed on several cities forbidding lawns and flower beds to be watered.   We were not under a water ban as of yet, but in anticipation of its arrival I was tempted to fill my almost empty rain barrel with the water from the back yard hose.

    Thankfully, it didn’t come to such delinquent behavior!

    The rain arrived first with short “isolated” showers and eventually, within a few days, the sky burst open and torrential rain bounced off the hard and barren front lawn.

    We sat on our front porch debating if we should risk getting soaked so to spread grass seed on the brown spots that had formed.  We needn’t worry.  The perennial grass filled itself with the fresh warm rain returning to a lushness which seemed near impossible the day prior.

    The same can be said about the almost empty rain barrel; fresh summer water now spills over its top, nourishing the once wilted flowers by its side.

    Such is life. We go through some journeys that leave us dry and parched; convinced that we cannot possible carry on and all flourishing has passed.  Then, out of the blue something happens.  Sometimes it is as simple as a phone call from a friend, a card in the mail or an email that leaves us smiling and able to take the next step.

    God has promised we will not be left alone in such difficult times. If we hold onto our faith and trust in God’s presence our dried up souls will once again be filled with refreshing waters.

    As promised in the 23rd Psalm,  “My cup runneth over .  Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life;…” (Psalm 23:5-6)

    Join us this Sunday for a shortened summer worship service at Port Elgin United Church (virtually via YouTube, Facebook or our website) as we spend some time singing, reflecting and praying to our ever abiding Shepherd!

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

    Photo by Waldemar Brandt used with permission/Unsplashed

  • Enchanted Wonders!

    Enchanted Wonders!

    We went out to our backyard late in the evening on July 4th, lit up a campfire, set up the telescope, and after applying a few generous layers of bug repellent sat back to view the night sky.

    We had gathered to witness the lunar eclipse but were held in awe by so many other “hosts” on that enchanted evening.

    The full “Buck” moon graced the sky as it silently kept its course toward other horizons.  We slowly readjusted our chairs several times to keep a clear view hoping not to miss the moment that the sun and moon met but were distracted by the skilled aerodynamics of the bats.

    And, just as the light of the moon was dimmed by the treetops a few flickering lights appeared in the lilac bush.  A group of Fireflies had joined us and were putting on a most magical light show!

    The smell of the fire, the warmth of the summer air, the star-filled sky, the magnificent moon moving ever steadily toward an unseen sun, the antics of the bats, and the enchanted fireflies made for a most blessed evening.

    As I sat there savoring every bit of it the words of Psalm 8 came to mind,

    “When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
    what is humankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?”

    Like the Psalmist, I asked, ‘why would a Creator who has put so much detail into star-filled skies, full moons, and magical eclipses be mindful of me?’

    As the bats entertained and the Fireflies charmed I decided God created me to offer praise and worship in response to such beauty.  I suspect God is deeply praised by my wonder and awe. Perhaps this is what Jesus meant when he said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”  (Mat 18:3)

    As the author and Theologian G.K. Chesterton wrote,  “We are perishing for want of wonder, not for want of wonders.”

    May your summer be filled with childish awe at the sight of God’s countless wonders!

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

    The photo with this Blog was taken by Patrick Hendry

  • Resting Well

    Resting Well

    Through the vantage point of my second-floor office window, I have had the opportunity to observe squirrels during their mid-day naps!  As they lay on their tummies across the shaded branch one or two of their limbs hang carelessly down while their tiny faces are contently tucked against the nook of a branch. I found myself yawning as I watched and soon had to return to my work or I too would have been napping!

    One afternoon, without any notice, the poor napping squirrel rolled just a bit too far and fell off the tree limb!  As I ran down the stairs to rescue him my mind raced; what to do with an injured squirrel?  However, my concerns were unfounded as he was already running across the lawn and I watched as he scrambled back up the tree.

    It would seem resting takes a bit of practice and skill!

    I too have learned the value of resting well.  I haven’t fallen out of any trees but I have worked myself into exhaustion and even worse over the years.  I have learned the value of a good rest.

    For the past 4 months, we all have been striving to do our best against COVID-19.  I have learned new tricks such as washing all my groceries before bringing them into the house, how to enhance online worship, how to engage in over the phone pastoral visiting, how to ZOOM in for weekly Bible Study, Fellowship, meetings and support groups.  Now, it is time to rest.

    There is value in knowing when the striving needs to cease and rest is required.

    Even God, the mighty Creator, knew when to pause, “Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” (Genesis 2:3)

    This summer I will be taking three weeks of holidays, next week is one of those three and there will not be a Blog written.  I will return for a few weeks before taking two more weeks of vacation in August.

    May you all be blessed this summer to find a restful patch of shade in which to refuel!

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

    The photo with this Blog was taken by Zhana Kenny/Unsplash

     

  • My Tree Top Office

    My Tree Top Office

    My office has moved.  Four months ago, before COVID-19, it was in the church with shelves of books, chairs for visitors and green plants on the tables and window sills.  Now, my office is in my daughter’s old bedroom on the second floor of our tall old house.  The desk is pulled up tight to a large window overlooking my back yard, which is lined by huge ancient evergreens on one side and a perfect view of the sky on the other.

    What appeared at first to be a rather quiet and out of the way place has turned out to be quite the opposite!  The trees are a highway for the hyperactive red squirrels and the more playful black squirrels as they travel from yard to yard. One evening I observed a big sleepy raccoon clumsily climb down a tree trunk to the ground. I suspect the antics of the squirrels didn’t make for a good day’s rest (he hasn’t been back!).

    Then there are the birds! Oh my goodness I have lost count of the many different species that rest in these tall old limbs: doves, robins, sparrows, blue jays, woodpeckers, cardinals, starlings, grackles, chickadees, crows and the seasonal visitors such as the flock of yellow finches, wood thrushes and a wren family, just to name a few.

    My new office has a backdrop of birdsong, calming pine aromas, and the shuffle of squirrels, all of which waft in through the open window. This is the best office I have ever had!

    In The Lost Woods, Edwin Way Teal, the naturalist, writes, “If I were to choose the sights, the sounds, the fragrance I most would want to see and hear and smell-among all the delights of the open world-on a final day on earth, I think I would choose these: the clear, ethereal song of a white-throated sparrow singing at dawn; the smell of pine trees in the heat of noon; the lonely call of Canada geese; the sight of a dragon-fly glinting in the sunshine; the voice of a hermit thrush far in a darkening woods at evening; and-most spiritual and moving of sights-the white cathedral of a cumulus cloud floating serenely in the blue of the sky.” (published by Dodd, Mead)

    May this summer afford you the time to slow down and fully appreciate all your favorite sights, sounds and fragrances from God’s wondrous creation.

     

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

  • The Wave of the Wild Flowers

    The Wave of the Wild Flowers

    They seemed to have appeared overnight; tall bunches of wild daisies, blue chicory, and delicate yellow buttercups waving as though they had an important message.  I slowed and listened closely as they called me to bright mornings full of birdsong; shady afternoons under my old maple tree, and warm star gazing evenings.

    These roadside beauties heralded summer’s arrival as though nothing out of the ordinary has happened in the past few months!  Perhaps their unawares is part of their charm; reminding us that despite whatever befalls, summer still arrives.  They call us to clear our minds and settle ourselves to the melody of the summer breezes, the refreshing refrain of the babbling brooks, and the playful dance of the butterflies.

    This Saturday summer will slip in where spring once resided leaving behind all that spring 2020 held.  It will be a new beginning; an opportunity to calm down, rejuvenate, and gain some perspective.

    The wildflowers wave to remind us to get out the lawn chairs, load up on firewood, and find last year’s sandals; summer is almost here!

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

    The photo with this Blog was taken by Chris/Unsplash

  • God In the Chaos

    God In the Chaos

    It was a warm June afternoon; the week after school had ended so I was in an especially leisurely mood as I lay on my back looking up into the far-reaching branches of an ancient chestnut tree.  For as long as I could remember in my 9 years of living this old tree supplied plenty of shade over the summer and the best chestnuts conkers in the autumn.

    I stretched out my right arm and drew in one of the long dandelions that had gone to seed.  Holding this wispy plant inches above my face I began to look closely studying the tiny rows and rows of seeds.   Within seconds I was sitting up barely able to breathe at what I found in that dandelion.

    In the symmetry and beauty of a weed gone to seed I had met God, it was a life-altering moment.  From that moment on I have known without a doubt that there is a great Creator. No one then, or now, could convince me that the tiny and perfect design of a simple weed happened randomly.

    Since that moment I have been blessed to experience the wonder of God’s creation daily. It has been easy trusting in a God who creates order out of chaos, who has little ducklings follow their parents in a straight line, geese who fly south in a perfect V formation or who create snowflakes to be so darn beautiful.  There are God’s flowers, leaves, and the design of the human body that are awe-inspiring.

    But, now in the second half of life, I find myself seeking God where chaos seems to reign.  Where disease takes innocent lives, hatred is the accepted norm, and money is valued over human lives.

    It was in the midst of such chaos that I went for a walk.  With thoughts full of questions and prayers full of doubts I came across a field of dandelions that had gone to seed.  It didn’t take long for the 9-year-old in me to pause, smile, and decide to stay awhile.  I sat down and just enjoyed the beauty of that simple weed gone to seed.  Later, as I was getting up to leave the words of the Apostle Paul ran through my thoughts, “….faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrew 1:11).

    It is easy to find God in orderly neat situations but our faith must mature to also trust God in the worldly chaos that we reside.  As mature people of faith, we must not lose hope, instead, we trust even when we have no evidence of God’s presence.

    I arrived home with a fist full of dandelions that had gone to seed and peacefulness I hadn’t felt in weeks.   So, if all the news is getting you down, go out and find a dandelion that has gone to seed and take a close look at one of God’s masterpieces!

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

    The photo with this Blog is a photo I took in that field of dandelion.

  • Where Is There Peace?

    Where Is There Peace?

    George Floyd’s death was the spark to ignite months of COVID-19 frustration and anxiety fueled by generations of racism and entitlement.  As I watched the events unfold; rioting, the setting of buildings on fire, and masked luting, I became very weary.  What can I do?  How am I to respond?  Who is at fault for all of this?

    Then the words of Epictetus, a freed Greek slave who went on to become a learned scholar, echoed through my thoughts, “Small-minded people habitually reproach others for their own misfortunes. Average people reproach themselves.  Those who are dedicated to a life of wisdom understand that the impulse to blame something or someone is foolishness. We see the futility of finger-pointing…the more we examine our attitudes and work on ourselves, the less we are apt to be swept away by stormy emotional reactions in which we seek easy explanations…”(The Art of Living, 11).

    Or, as the world’s best teacher, Jesus of Nazareth, said, “How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:4-5)

    As we watch the horrors on our screens we have a choice.  We can seek easy explanations by pointing fingers and placing blame on society, COVID-19, racism, white privilege, etc.….or we can do the tough work of looking within and examining the condition of our own heart.  Do we use violent words in gossip and judgment of others?  Do we exclude others?  Do we go about our life as though everyone else is wrong and only our opinion is right?

    If we want to see peace in the world, we need to become more peaceful. If we commit each day to live mindfully, aware of how our words, tone of voice, attitude, and integrity affect not only how we feel about ourselves but how our presence affects others, we will experience more peace.

    If we each do that which brings us peace whether it is walking along the beach, a long run in the countryside, prayer, or studying scripture we will find more peace.  Slowly, this peace we discover will change us into calmer and more joy-filled beings.

    Don’t wait for peace to come. Don’t sit complaining about how broken the world is, instead get busy “being the change you want to see in the world.”  (Gandhi)

     

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

    The photo taken with this Blog was taken by Markus Spiske

     

  • God in the Dust and in the Omelet…

    God in the Dust and in the Omelet…

    Here we are at the end of May already!  Despite these continued “Safe At Home” days the weeks do seem to be marching on, it is hard to believe that next week we will begin the 12th week of this historic pandemic in Canada.

    We may make the mistake of thinking that not much new can happen after weeks of being confined to our homes.  However, Pentecost is a reminder that God’s Holy Spirit will show up wherever it darn well pleases!

    The disciples were “safe at home” when “a violent wind from heaven came and filled the whole house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2 NIV).  And if this wasn’t enough to catch their attention the Holy Spirit added more pizzazz,  “They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:3-4 NIV).

    This was the moment the church was born; a moment that began with the disciples sitting safely at home!  May we remain open to the movement of God’s Holy Spirit as we go about our daily lives of watering our flowerbeds, planting our vegetable gardens, vacuuming, dusting and preparing our meals for all this is done in the presence of our great and gentle God.

    Brother Lawrence, known as the Kitchen Saint, taught by the example of his life how great faith and wisdom can be found in our homes.  He wrote in the book, Practicing The Presence of God, “…it is not necessary to have great things to do.  I turn my little omelet in the pan for the love of God….the most holy and important practice in the spiritual life is the presence of God-that is, every moment take great pleasure that God is with you.”

    May we all remain open to the movement of God’s presence in our daily living and may this presence enliven and embolden our faith!

    Blessings,

    Rev. Heather McCarrel

    The Photo with today’s Blog was taken by Annie Spratt