Blessings of Spring
...unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12. 20 -33
In her book Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons, Jan Richardson writes poetically about this line from our Gospel for today. In my part of the world, Spring is in full bloom, but there are still places where there was no life yesterday and today there is color. And I have even noticed that the will to live is so strong among flowers and such, that being dry does not slow them down.
Jan suggests that our blessings are like the grain of wheat Jesus describes...we must let them go, trusting that they know where they are going, and that while they seem dormant, they will actually be on their way back to us, "rising green and whole and new."
When the sun rises this morning, be sure to notice the blessings around you, the places where yesterday it was dark and dry and today there is color and life. Spring is such a beautiful symbol of resurrection, and a splendid time to count our blessings.
Blessing the Seed by Jan Richardson
I should tell you
at the outset:
this blessing will require you
to do some work.
First you must simply
let this blessing fall
from your hand,
as if it were a small thing
you could easily let slip
through your fingers,
as if it were not
most precious to you,
as if your life did not
depend on it.
Next you must trust
that this blessing knows
where it is going,
that it understands
the ways of the dark,
that it is wise
to seasons
and to times.
Then—
and I know this blessing
has already asked much
of you—
it is to be hoped that
you will rest
and learn
that something is at work
when all seems still,
seems dormant,
seems dead.
I promise you
this blessing has not
abandoned you.
I promise you
this blessing
is on its way back
to you.
I promise you—
when you are least
expecting it,
when you have given up
your last hope—
this blessing will rise
green
and whole
and new.
—Jan Richardson
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