Reflection: ‘Designed for worship: foliage-fling‘

A gentle breeze tickles the leaves of a lanky birch tree across the neighbour’s fence. The foliage whispers like a snare drum. But on a blustery day, the leaves give wild applause with the wind in their face. The Bible calls that worship. You and I are like that tree, destined to parade in celebration of our everlasting Lord.

I love too, how my bygone liquidambar added to the pageantry with her cacophony of colour:

Berry-boil me in raspberries; in pink seaberry saltbush.

Stir me in safflower and saffron; sumac and turmeric.

Pepper me with alizarin and crimson;

Plunge me in plum and pomegranate.

Finger me like you do the Fall foliage

And dip me in your claret blood.

Set me ablaze in glorious worship –

Resplendent in never fading foliage.

One more little leafy story: my mother grew up on the land — a farmer’s daughter. She tells me she wore her role uncomplainingly and with dignity. Her daily uniform was an apron indoors and a bonnet out. Even before she turned five, she’d proudly garden in her bonnet. Her job was to care for the strawberry patch which, until the strawberries appeared, she thought meant polishing the leaves with her cotton glove till they shone.

Prayer:

What can we bring to your worship today, Everlasting Lord, but ourselves: chosen and cherished, blood-cleansed, restored and polished to praise. Help each of your ‘trees’ through today’s angst or peace, to join in the cheer of your reputation.