Love: 17 May 2009

Dear Friends,

A few weeks ago I watched as the pair of Eastern bluebirds diligently went about building their nest in our little white birdhouse. All day long they went back and forth from the birdhouse to points in our yard bringing new pieces of dried grass and tiny twigs for the nest. In a days’ time they had filled the birdhouse and the female had fashioned a wonderful nest in which to lay her three small, blue eggs. Now that the female spends most of the day in the house, keeping the eggs warm, her partner busies himself by continuing to keep watch and bringing her food. If bluebirds can feel love, this dance of working together for one purpose, imaged love to me.

Yesterday the oriole pair that nest in our neighbor’s huge elm tree paid a few visits to my window-hung hummingbird feeder. It’s a pretty comical sight to see these huge, colorful birds (as compared to the tiny hummingbirds) land on the feeder and attempt to drink the nectar. The male appeared to be quite the gentleman, allowing his lady to repeatedly land on the feeder while he stood watch on the deck rail. If orioles can feel love, the male’s act of chivalry in allowing his partner to gain the sustenance of the nectar first imaged love to me.

The second reading and the gospel from the lectionary this weekend speak of love (1 John 4:7-10 and John 15:9-17). We find in these scripture snippets the beautiful words that God loved us first. We did nothing to earn this Sacred Love; we were born out of and into it. Our task, and response, is made pretty clear: we are to return this love to our Creator and spread our love around the world – our world, however large or small that may be for us.

Sometimes it’s difficult to wrap our heads around the deep and unconditional love of our Sacred Lover – for us, for others, for all of creation. There will pretty much always be people in our lives who push our buttons – perhaps through actions and/or words that are not kind or helpful, thus betraying or destroying our trust. We live in a society that thrives on competition and humanly-defined success. At times, often perhaps, we can fall into the trap of doling out our love and trust to those WE deem worthy – by OUR standards. After all, who wants to feel hurt and betrayed?

But…those are the times I take a look at the nature surrounding our rural abode. It is in the beholding of the rhythmic movement of seasons and activities of creatures and plant life that reminds me of how sacred and cared for all of life is. The lawn is filled with weeds. The dandelion crop is especially abundant this year. And yet amid the sea of green grass, even these dandelions, which many people strive so hard to eliminate from their yards, are a sign of the beautiful and colorful tapestry of the Master Weaver of life and love. Even, and perhaps especially, what we see as weeds are but another reminder of how much we and all of creation is loved.

Peace on the Journey