A Walk in the Park

Early in the morning I head to Forest Park for my walk.  This morning was particularly glorious.  I was greeted by crows cawing at first light.  As I walked farther into the park the earth turned towards the sun and the symphony of the birds began a quick crescendo.  As day broke I was able to make out some of the birds: a mourning dove flying off, a cardinal up in the tree, red-winged blackbirds, blue jays, robins and, of course, many sparrows.
      I rounded a corner and there was the full moon in the west.  It would only be visible for a short while longer as the earth continued its slow turn to the east.  Further down I reached the duck ponds where I saw - no surprise here - ducks along with geese.  It was also a place to stop and take in the colors of the sunrise for a while.
     I love my morning walks in the park.  I've read that we are actually nourished as we walk near trees.  Researchers in Japan have found that walking among trees can reduce stress and lower blood pressure among other benefits.  Perhaps there are added benefits when we watch awesome sunrises, gaze at the full moon, or listen to and watch such a variety of birds.
     As I reached the amphitheater I saw my fox friend.  We're gradually getting to know one another.  This was the 4th or 5th time I've seen her as I round the bend.  We usually have a stare-down and she always wins.  Maybe one morning we'll stop and have a cup of coffee (or water) and get to know each other better.
     Thinking about my time in the park this morning makes me think of Mary Oliver who tells us
 “Instructions for living a life.

Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.” 

    Perhaps being in nature helps us in the practice of paying attention.  It certainly opens us to being astonished.  And here I am telling you about it.  Maybe my practice doing this in nature helps me to pay more attention to the other details of my life.  And if birds and sunrises and foxes can astonish me, then surely my paying attention will allow me be astonished in other ways.
       I still remember visiting with a retired couple up in ME years ago.  They were getting up in age and walking was difficult, but they loved sitting on their porch watching the hummingbirds at the feeder.  I joined them out there during one of my visits and was astonished at the number of hummingbirds.   In MA there was a surviving spouse (in her 80s) who would show me her garden each time I visited.  She was gradually clearing large stones from the area and building a fence with them.  When I say large stones I mean they were really large.  I had images of her with a lever and fulcrum in some cases.  Then she could work the new soil and plant more flowers and vegetables.  Her garden kept growing as she cleared more and more land. It was truly astonishing to consider the physical labor this elderly woman took on out of love for her garden.

     Next Tuesday I leave for Georgia where I'll be visiting more of our retired clergy.  I'm looking forward to enjoying the warmth of the springtime sun down there.  From there I'll travel to New Orleans to attend the 3M Network.  The "3M" stands for Maintaining Minsters in Ministry.  This group representing many conferences comes together to share the work that is happening so we can learn from one another.  I first connected with 3M as we were preparing to bring Tending the Fire to New England. 
     For now, I'm preparing for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.  Soon we will be celebrating the joy of Easter morning and the astonishment of the Resurrection and God's great love for all of us.  I wish all of you Easter blessings.
      In preparing for my trip I'll continue to practice paying attention, and being astonished.  And I'll tell you about it next week!

Blessings on the journey!