I’ve always struggled with that parable, my question being: “what fault is it of the rocky or weedy soil that they are what they are, or what credit does the good soil deserve for being more seed-friendly?” I like your view better, Sarah. It seems to me that God’s care of us is all about ways to help us find God. If we’re rock, God makes the roots stronger or sends water to wear away a path. If we’re choked with weeds, God sends a cultivator to make some breathing and growing space. And if we’re soft and rich with nutrients, someone already worked us up in the ways of trust and openness. God will find a way to make God’s love accessible and real, no matter what material we are made of or how life has either nourished us or hardened us. I hope that’s true. On good days, I believe it is.
This whole wondering/imagining inspired by Spirit in water’s fluidity and rock’s stability — nature, the first Bible of Great Creator — filled my entire soul. Matter matters. I felt Love quicken and stir and move even in the evolution of your reframe from one parable to the next. The invitation to see and experience the transparency of the divine in our everyday as living parables feels especially poignant. Thank you for inviting us into this moment to consider and wonder and imagine with you.
I recently learned about landrace gardening, which is the surprising science+art of assisting plants to be hyper localised and adapted to whatever conditions are available, including adapting to the kind of gardener available. You start by gathering seeds from as far afield as you can, so there’s wide genetic diversity and you let them promiscuously cross pollinate. The next year you grow the descendants and cull to the ones that thrive. The third year you grow the descendants, who now thrive in your environment with your kind of care. I’ve been pondering the rich analogies all week, so your post is so timely for me. Here’s a quote that blew my mind from author Joseph Lofthouse: ‘It is much easier for plants to modify their genetics than it is for me to change growing conditions.’
Thank you for this thirst quenching essay Sarah. After the last few years and global crisis happening one after another I think we are the trees on the rock, being buffeted by winds that are not of our choosing. The only way not to slide off that rock is to tether down into our roots where Spirit, and family, and kind strangers, and the Sarah Bessey’s of this world anchor us to steady ground.
Exquisite! I live near the shores of Lake Superior and am in awe each and every time I visit any place along that water. Trees out of rocks show fortitude, resilience, and perseverance.
Wow! This is so unbelievably beautiful. I have literal tears in my eyes. You have given me a new perspective and mode of acceptance for my pain and suffering. I needed this so badly today. Thank you.
"Perhaps every part of you that is searching, searching, searching means you are actually being rooted and anchored by that very search." Oh, I hope so! Looking forward to Minneapolis. 💕
I have always marvelled at flowers growing through cracks in sidewalks at the tenacity and flexibilty and believe we can bloom wherever we are planted. I live in Ontario and have wondered the same thing about the trees along the northern lake shores. I love your article and information and voice and think of these trees spread their roots wherever they can take root, connected with other trees to create a root web or net underground that holds them. Can I share this with my church?
I’ve always struggled with that parable, my question being: “what fault is it of the rocky or weedy soil that they are what they are, or what credit does the good soil deserve for being more seed-friendly?” I like your view better, Sarah. It seems to me that God’s care of us is all about ways to help us find God. If we’re rock, God makes the roots stronger or sends water to wear away a path. If we’re choked with weeds, God sends a cultivator to make some breathing and growing space. And if we’re soft and rich with nutrients, someone already worked us up in the ways of trust and openness. God will find a way to make God’s love accessible and real, no matter what material we are made of or how life has either nourished us or hardened us. I hope that’s true. On good days, I believe it is.
This whole wondering/imagining inspired by Spirit in water’s fluidity and rock’s stability — nature, the first Bible of Great Creator — filled my entire soul. Matter matters. I felt Love quicken and stir and move even in the evolution of your reframe from one parable to the next. The invitation to see and experience the transparency of the divine in our everyday as living parables feels especially poignant. Thank you for inviting us into this moment to consider and wonder and imagine with you.
I recently learned about landrace gardening, which is the surprising science+art of assisting plants to be hyper localised and adapted to whatever conditions are available, including adapting to the kind of gardener available. You start by gathering seeds from as far afield as you can, so there’s wide genetic diversity and you let them promiscuously cross pollinate. The next year you grow the descendants and cull to the ones that thrive. The third year you grow the descendants, who now thrive in your environment with your kind of care. I’ve been pondering the rich analogies all week, so your post is so timely for me. Here’s a quote that blew my mind from author Joseph Lofthouse: ‘It is much easier for plants to modify their genetics than it is for me to change growing conditions.’
Thank you for this thirst quenching essay Sarah. After the last few years and global crisis happening one after another I think we are the trees on the rock, being buffeted by winds that are not of our choosing. The only way not to slide off that rock is to tether down into our roots where Spirit, and family, and kind strangers, and the Sarah Bessey’s of this world anchor us to steady ground.
Trees! Stories! Jesus! I love this piece, friend =)
Exquisite! I live near the shores of Lake Superior and am in awe each and every time I visit any place along that water. Trees out of rocks show fortitude, resilience, and perseverance.
Wow! This is so unbelievably beautiful. I have literal tears in my eyes. You have given me a new perspective and mode of acceptance for my pain and suffering. I needed this so badly today. Thank you.
Yes!!! Thank you for this timely reminder… for the possibility that brings hope!!
"Perhaps every part of you that is searching, searching, searching means you are actually being rooted and anchored by that very search." Oh, I hope so! Looking forward to Minneapolis. 💕
I have always marvelled at flowers growing through cracks in sidewalks at the tenacity and flexibilty and believe we can bloom wherever we are planted. I live in Ontario and have wondered the same thing about the trees along the northern lake shores. I love your article and information and voice and think of these trees spread their roots wherever they can take root, connected with other trees to create a root web or net underground that holds them. Can I share this with my church?
Yep, it's public so feel free to share the link. Thanks, Janet!
Lovely piece. I kill IKEA houseplants, too.
Oh, my, yesl