nature walk – maggiemarcum

Finding the Divine in Nature

Earlier this week I had the privilege of sharing my writing as part of an exercise in creation for our ecumenical community at The Coracle. As the church continues to celebrate the season of creation, I invite you to consider a new way of looking at the world around you, especially the gardens and grounds that we frequently simply pass by as part of our normal day. Experience all that The Divine has created with a new openness.

Creation is all around us and we can especially find the Divine in the beauty of the garden – in the smallest of creatures that crawl on the green leaves, held in place by a vine leading to a strong branch, and an even stronger tree trunk.

The more we are outside- the more we can begin to see creation abounding. The more we are in creation, we step out from the flesh and into the whole of creation – the gift of life for all, from The Maker. We are invited to take a new look, to explore the unfamiliar, or familiar, from a new perspective. When needed, we step in and see that which is neglected or in need of restoring.

Author Thor Hanson in his book, Close to Home, suggests we consider three ways of experiencing creation in and around us: in Seeing, Exploring, and Restoration. The invitation today as you walk in the gardens, walk to the ocean or hills, or help plant new creation is to stop and gaze, see, feel, hear, taste God’s presence and to seek his guidance as you step, or sit in the completive companion which is nature.

We begin with a focus toward Seeing:

John Burrough’s Leaf and Tendril said: “The lesson which life repeats and constantly enforces is ‘look under foot.’ Every place is under the stars; every place is the center of the world”

In Job we hear:

“Just ask the animals, and they will teach you.
    Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.
⁸Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you.
    Let the fish in the sea speak to you.
⁹For they all know
    that my disaster^[ has come from the hand of the Lord.
¹⁰For the life of every living thing is in his hand,
    and the breath of every human being.

Job 12: 7-10

As you look out today, consider the simple insect – do we just hear the buzzing around us or do we pause and also see the magnificent design of the wings and the body? Do we strain to look closer?

Be curious like a little child. Be aware and relearn how to tap into your senses to perceive the tiny details with wonderment.

How is the Divine inviting you to reorient your way of looking and seeing?

Consider Exploring, as J R R Tolkien wrote in The Hobbit: “There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something.”

When we turn to scripture, we read in Isaiah 40:

Look up into the heavens.
    Who created all the stars?
He brings them out like an army, one after another,
    calling each by its name.
Because of his great power and incomparable strength,
    not a single one is missing.

Look again in the familiar garden or backyard — what is new today? What has been unseen? A new insect? New flower bud? Be curious. Look again. Invite the Creator to reveal creation.

Look up! Look down! Look past where you normally gaze, and gaze as God does on the beautiful.

What captures your gaze and causes you to linger? What enchants you? What are you seeking from the Divine to reveal today?

Restoring takes time and commitment. Sir Thomas Quiller-Couch in On the Art of Reading shared: “Where there is freedom to experiment there is hope to improve.”

David said it even better in Psalm 23:

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.

That is true for the land and for our soul. We can easily become diverted, yet the Creator calls us back again and again to grow into the New. We come from one place to another- called by the Divine. Restoration begins where we are. The ground that needs weeding. The bench to repair. The feeder to fill. The branches to trim. The new soil to lay and plant seeds that will blossom into newness. All of which we must tend to with regular attention to sustain growth.

Where is God showing you to turn over the soil and plant something new? Where does the Creator want your attention placed- to water and till?

Roam now and see, hear, smell, and taste creation- a gift from the One who loves us and sustains us on this planet. Linger in the aroma of Great Spirit Creator, the wonder of the Maker of Life, and know the love of Creator who sets us Free-Jesus. (These beautiful names are drawn from First Nations Version- An Indigenous)

Walking Out Depression

It has been hard to get out of the house and I finally had to admit that I have been struggling with depression. I knew something was off when I no longer had interest in the things that delight me–mostly being around other people and taking those walks that I had committed to for this blog.

I know what depression feels like. I have experienced it before. I know many of you have too, or someone close to you has. For me,

Depression isn’t just feeling a bit down. It is feeling like no matter what you do you can’t get up.
Depression isn’t just feeling grief after the loss of a loved one. It is feeling as if life will never be whole again, and you don’t care. You just don’t care.
Depression isn’t being tired and staying in bed. It is wanting desperately to get up and yet the best you can do is make it to the bathroom and back to your bed.
Depression isn’t just skipping events to which you committed to attending. It is wanting so much to see people and yet being so sad that you can’t imagine getting dressed and putting on your happy face.
Depression isn’t about feeing sad and overly emotional. It is sitting on the edge of the bed and crying and you don’t know why because all you did was wake up.

It can take some courage to recognize the symptoms and ask for help. Unlike other illnesses, there is a conflict between shame and pride associated with depression. Sometimes well meaning friends try to cheer you up and get you past a down period. Religious leaders are often ill-equipped to diagnose or treat depression. And the communities in which we live frequently don’t have the patience to support someone with a ‘hidden’ illness. And more often, our pride stops us from sharing with others that we are living with depression, even if we are undergoing counseling or taking medication.

My life is better this week. I have the support of my closest friends and family. I’m doing what I need to get better and each day I feel a little more like myself. And I finally got out the door and into nature. I have to take the steps back to normal living and make the most of my treatment plan to find my center again.

Lewinsville House, **1659 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, VA**

I was amazed by the simple beauty of the world just a mile away from my home. I found a touch of God out there as I walked with a friend and our dog. I found that my inner spirit was renewed in the midst of God’s creation.

I walked in gardens planted and felt a new being breaking through. The bright colors of flowers coming into bloom. The promise of second chances and renewed life.

Take the walk. Let the wonder of the world open your heart and lighten your journey into healing.

Sit. Rest. Be.

If you think something might not be quite right in our life, I encourage you to seek professional help–start with your family physician. Let people close to you know that you are grappling with depression so they can encourage you and walk in your recovery journey. Be brave enough to ask for prayer and to seek out spiritual healing and direction.

And remember to keep walking. One foot in front of the other. Out the door. Down the street. Around and over the rocky parts. Into the garden of new life.

Walking with the Light,

Maggie