Stain Glass Lens of the 21st Century

Tag: encouraging

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

June 23, 2020
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

June 16, 2020
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.

June 8, 2020
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

June 2, 2020
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 12^th 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

May 26, 2020
Ears of the Earth

Just about the same time every day I walk my dog down the same path. This idyllic tree-lined path runs along a babbling brook and with the changing seasons, the landscape fills with flowers, grasses, and little critters that entertain me daily. It is a routine time of prayer and reflection that roots me in God’s presence.

Last week I saw something that stopped me dead in my tracks. It was a disturbing sight! At first, I thought it was human flesh and when I bent closer it actually looked exactly like a human’s ear was lying to the right of the pathway. Startled I jumped back and grabbed a long stick, with the stick, I poked the dead ear. I tried to pick it up but it wouldn’t budge, it was stuck to the ground. The one son who was with me turned and came back to see what I was grimacing at. He said, “Oh mom those are just mushrooms, commonly known as Wood Ear Mushrooms and some even use these in soup recipes.”

Of course, I thought he was joking, using all his fancy education to trick his mom! He pointed out others that were lying deeper off the trail and soon a large patch of these mushrooms was discovered. My imagination took off!

“These are the ears of the earth!” I said excitedly. “We should bend down and confess our wanton ways. Here is our opportunity to apologize; to ask for forgiveness and to pledge a new beginning.”

I then went into the litany of apologies we could share. We could apologize for our lack of respect for the earth, admit our greed, our foolish exploitation of all the earth has provided and our ignorant raping of the earth’s resources.

With a look of pure horror, my son quickly began to walk away, he isn’t always sure if I am joking or not. He would not have been at all surprised to see his mother down on her knees confessing, on all our behalves, to a bunch of mushrooms.

However, I do wonder if we haven’t been given an opportunity for some self-reflection during these quieter and slower pandemic days. If we started to confess our mistakes to nature, vowed to not return to our old greedy and selfish ways and began to plan now how best to start the “new normal”; we could heal not only ourselves but also our relationship with the earth. If we each look deeper into our old habits and commit to changing just one or two into new sustainable habits we could become a blessing instead of a curse to the very planet that sustains us.

What are you going to commit to?

Blessings,

Rev. Heather McCarrel

May 18, 2020
Anything Can Happen…

Perhaps it is because we have now entered the third month of COVID-19 isolation or because snow so thick it caused whiteouts has fallen in Mid-May, I find myself thinking, “anything can happen.”

As the “New Normal” slowly emerges from weeks of uncertainty cars in “curbside” pick-up lines twist around the parking lots, masked shoppers fill the grocery stores and security guards stop people to ensure they have used the hand sanitizer. Home has become the new classroom for e-learners, the office for executives, and the studio for TV newscasters. Exercise weights are selling on Kijiji at a premium while gas and beer prices have dropped to a 30 year low. Yes, most certainly, “anything can happen.”

This relinquishing of expectations has been refreshing. I find myself depending less on my own sense of control and leaning more into the presence of a God who has always specialized in the “anything can happen” category.

Take what happened to Paul and Silas one day. There they were simply sharing the Good News of the Gospel, having just saved a young woman from a life of despair when her master had them arrested. After being dragged and beaten to a pulp they were chained to a prison wall behind guarded locked doors. And yet, so full of the Holy Spirit, they raised their voices in prayer and songs of praise. Paul and Silas weren’t praising God for deliverance; they were just praising God in response to life.

In the middle of the night, the earth shook, the chains fell and the locked doors flung open. The guard so moved by Paul, Silas, and their God he took them to his home where all his family was baptized (Acts 16:23-32). See? Anything can happen!

Let us never stop raising our voices in prayer and praise to the God who refuses to leave us, but instead will take our messes and create something new. The Prophets of old tell us that the beginning of wisdom lies in knowing and seeking God; perhaps this is because in God we find that “anything can happen”!

Blessings,

Rev. Heather McCarrel

The photo used in this Blog was taken by Jan Tinneberg

May 12, 2020
Fireworks In a Clear Glass Jar

Each week during these “safe at home” recorded worship services I have been preparing crafts/science experiments for the children to try at home. Each creation is the sum of items one would find in their kitchen. This week we are creating the ultimate Mother’s Day gift; fireworks in a clear glass jar.

For this, all that is needed is a jar full of warm water combined with a food dye and vegetable oil mixture. As the mixture hits the warm water the colours burst into action and quite a display fills the jar. What Mother wouldn’t love this as a gift?!

It is amazing how everyday items can work together to create remarkable results. Isn’t that the way with the Holy Spirit? Simple every day acts such as a wave, telephone call or a text message to simply say “Hello” when infused by the love of God, can make a delightful difference in someone’s day.

The world is full of anxiety. We can depend on there being certain folks who foolishly push their way through the crowds or exert their negative opinions for all to hear. They may be the loudest or the most attention-seeking in any gathering but their actions last mere moments.

Those with the lasting influence are the ones who carry God’s love desiring to be the peace bearers and joy bringers. They may be quieter in their approach but their influence sparks smile, warmth, and welcome. This COVID-19 world needs these sorts; the ones who take the ordinary moments and selflessly turn them into extra-ordinary occasions of divine interruptions.

May we all commit to being these sparks of God’s love.

Blessings,

Rev. Heather McCarrel

May 4, 2020
Thursdays Are The New Sundays

Thursday mornings I hit the floor running and it is exciting! This is the only day of the week that I am “allowed” to work in the church building; the day we record the worship service.

As expected I pack a lot into these days. Upon my arrival, I check my emails and voice mail before heading into the sanctuary. It may not appear as though much attention has gone into the decorations but I have been doing my best. Banners and paraments are changed as are the flowers and this week I am contemplating the removal of a couple of the tall Lenten crosses.

There is always an 11:00 a.m. meeting with Brenda, the Music Director, she sits on one end of the long front pew and I sit two rows over on the other end. We rather loudly plan the next few Sundays. Then recording starts; Dave & Maria arrive while Brenda warms up and I light the candles and ensure the “Children’s Conversation” items are in place, with the soundcheck completed we begin.

Following “worship” I prepare the weekly newsletters to be dropped off at the local retirement home. And, this week I also am to meet a family and the local funeral home staff in the cemetery for a graveside service.

Social distancing while leading funerals and accompanying grieving parishioners is the most unwelcomed change in this new way of “doing” church. I long to shake their hands or, even better, provide a hug; neither are permitted.

This isn’t at all how I was trained to be a Minister; I have never done church like this before. However, gone are the days of saying, “We’ve never done it like that before.” Anyone caught saying these words are viewed as lacking vision and having a more self-centered view of ministry. No one wants to do church this way but if we want the church to flourish and continue to be an agent of Christ’s love then we must be prepared to “step outside the boat” of familiarity and trust in the leading of the Spirit.

Funny thing is, whenever I am tempted to buck the Holy Spirit and say, “No! I don’t want to do church like this!” A deep familiar voice from my childhood invades my thoughts singing a refrain that never fails to bring a smile and me, yet again, bends to the Spirit’s nudging (more like a pushy shove). That voice is Tennesse Ernie Ford as he sings, “Children, Go Where I Send Thee.” (I have provided the link below). This is proof the Holy Spirit has a great sense of humor while also leading me in the direction I am to go.

When I was Ordained I said, with at least 500 folks as witnesses, that I was willing to go wherever the Lord would send me and have done my best to do so ever since. Never did I expect it would send me to YouTube, ZOOM, and Facebook!

Thankfully the Holy Spirit is determined to keep the church alive and well; the only question is, are we willing to follow?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI_6t2yq2eE

Blessings,

Rev. Heather McCarrel

April 28, 2020
Looking Up

Whenever life becomes overwhelming I go outside and stand under my maple tree and look up. Whether it is day or night, sunshine or rain, I always gain courage by standing under my maple.

I look past the tall trunk and through the upward reaching limbs and gaze at the timeless sky. Knowing that under this sky the human story has unfolded for generations; it has been the canopy of our existence as a species.

Trees, one of God’s earliest creations that have a key role in our Christian faith. Dr. Matthew Sleeth in his book Reforesting Faith, writes, “Other than God and people, the Bible mentions trees more than any other living thing. There is a tree on the first page of Genesis, in the first psalm, on the first page of the New Testament, and on the last page of Revelation. Every significant theological event in the Bible is marked by a tree. Whether it is the fall when Eve shared the apple with Adam, the Flood, or the overthrow of Pharaoh, every major event in the Bible has a tree, branch, fruit, seed, or some part of a tree marking the spot.

Jesus himself declared that the kingdom of heaven is like a tree (Matthew 13:31-32). The only thing that Jesus ever harmed was a tree (Mark 11:12-14, 20-21), and the only thing that could harm him was a tree. After Jesus was resurrected, he was mistaken for a gardener (John 20:15). This was not a mistake. Jesus is the new Adam who has come to redeem all of creation. Heaven is a place where the leaves of a tree heal all the nations (Revelation 22:1-2). As if to underscore this forest of metaphors, Jesus’ last “I am “statement is “I am the root and the descendant of David” (Revelation 22:16).

From Genesis to Revelation God has blazed a trail of trees through the Bible.”

Even during these “safe at home” pandemic days we still can gain strength from trees. If you have a tree in your yard then pay it a visit and to gain the full extent of its grounding power one must lean on its trunk or run their hands along one of its limbs. I know it must sound silly, but by holding onto a limb, even for a moment, is like holding the hand of an old, wise and calming presence in the universe.

If you do not have a tree then go online and search pictures of trees and let the beauty of these ageless creatures carry your soul heavenward. Sometimes, there is only one way to look and it is up; let the trees show you how.

Blessings,

Rev. Heather McCarrel

April 21, 2020