Enjoy A Spring Spiritual Walk

Spring has arrived; covid is still with us, so the spiritual spring walk remains as a personal expedition or in family units. So, what is the difference between a stroll through the woods or along a stream and a spiritual walk? It is the intent! Do you want to exercise and visit with family as you walk along or do you want to become aware of Christ's presence in every thing?

For a spring walk, find a path and enjoy the plethora of wild flowers and the expansion of shrub and tree leaves. Flow into the celebration of the vibrant re-emergence of active life. Feel Christ's vibrancy surround you. Pull out your phone, take a selfie and memorialize your outing.

For a spiritual walk, it is helpful to focus your full attention on something and then sit in silence to discover Christ's presence. For this spring I am going to suggest looking at a wildflower closely enough to discover how it emerges from the soil. There are only 2 patterns. Take along a pad, pencil, magnifying glass, and sit upon.

Walk along, breathing in the fresh air, and when you find a patch of wildflowers, stop and closely observe them. Find one that particularly attracts you. Begin to notice its various configurations.

There are only 2 emergent patterns for God's leafy creations. Your flower will exhibit one of them. Let you eyes and heart and mind find the sequential pattern of emergence to adulthood. When you understand its development, it is time for the pad and pencil. Sketch your chosen wildflower through its maturing stages- emergents to fully opened. You now have a new friend.

It is time to sit in silence with your friends. Close your eyes, breathe deeply and slowly through your heart and enter a silent state. Now open your eyes and let them wander lovingly over your new friend. Still your mind and soak this sight into every fiber of your being. God will speak to you in some form; feelings, odors, isolated words, a melody, a rhyme When the conversation is over, pack up and walk home in silence. You will see your new friend many times on the journey back. Christ is the light within each of us. We are all connected.

But let us not stop here. Take a photo of the sequential drawing of your new friend's emergence and post it on St. Luke's website. Share verbally your experience. And every time you take a walk, search out your friend, say Hi! Observe what is happening in their world. Bet you can find out the means by which they continue their life form on our lovely planet.

Yours in Christ....
Jimi James
Health & Wellness Ministry