Good morning…
“How can we picture God’s kingdom?” asks Mark 4:30-32 in the Message translation. “What kind of story can we use?” we wonder within. “It’s like a pine nut,” Mark says. “When it lands on the ground it is quite small as seeds go, yet once it is planted it grows into a huge pine tree with thick branches. Eagles nest in it.” Yesterday I was a wounded eagle nesting in a tree God planted nearly twenty years ago. Let me explain.
In 2003, when God replanted our family tree far away from extended family and well-loved friends, I was like a puny pine nut. When we landed in the Vinings area of Atlanta, Georgia, I felt quite small, lonely, insignificant. Once I landed in this foreign southern soil, gradually I was planted, and yesterday I felt the thick branches of a huge pine tree supporting me as I nested.
I got a throw up bug early in the morning and for the first time in my teaching career I had to cancel class since I was achy, feverish, and likely contagious. I hated canceling class. After lots and lots of exciting preparation, we were finally beginning the study of my favorite book, The Hidden Life Awakened, along with the newly formed addition of our Path2Green healthy lifestyle choices program. I really hated canceling class, but I hated more the thought that I would pass along this crummy bug to others, who would pass along this bug.
After violently vomiting several times, I went to my computer and wrote yesterday’s short blog post. Then I nestled back into bed, spending the whole day drifting in and out of sleep. With no effort of my own, the tree of loving relationship planted nearly twenty years ago extended her branches and nurtured me well. Appearing at my door was a care package of “supplies,” Gatorade, ginger ale, saltines, banana, and Campbells chicken soup, with detailed instructions of how to take care of my tender tummy. Many well wishers texted me throughout the day, praying for me, hoping for my speedy recovery, extending the invitation to bring me anything I needed. My ministry partners gave me much needed advice, encouragement, and loving support. I was like a wounded eagle nesting in the thick branches of a sturdy tree planted nearly twenty years ago.
“How can we picture God’s kingdom?” asks Mark 4:30-32 in the Message translation. “What kind of story can we use?” we wonder within. “It’s like a pine nut. When it lands on the ground it is quite small as seeds go, yet once it is planted it grows into a huge pine tree with thick branches. Eagles nest in it.”
What a beautiful picture of God’s kingdom was painted on my sick day.
…Sue…
