Beginning
Barbara Howard of Independence, MO, USA
Reprinted from Journey of Joy, Herald House, 1990
Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead… -Philippians 3:13
As we packed to move from the large house we had occupied for more than twenty years, I fought back tears. Now that our family was shrinking, a smaller home would be welcome; yet it brought sadness, too. I could not pack those years and bring them along.
Several days before the move, I spotted a birdhouse still hanging in the cedar tree. It had been vacant for some time, so I reached to take it down. Then, I noticed a carefully woven nest with several broken egg shells inside. The birds had labored, as we had, to create a home; yet they had abandoned it, leaving it behind like a small, empty tomb. Soon our house would be empty, I thought.
I was reminded then of Christ’s tomb, and how its emptiness symbolized a beginning, not an ending. My sadness was replaced with a deep sense of gratitude for the many years of shelter our house had provided us, aiding in preparation for a new phase of life.
Prayer Phrase
“In God’s hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being” (Job 12:10).
Spiritual Practice
All That Lives
Sit quietly and sense God’s presence flowing through the trees and all creation. Offer a prayer of gratitude for your connection to all that lives. Ask for grace to discern and carry out one small act of justice or healing that creates greater wholeness for the plants, animals, trees, waters, air, and land that are part of the community of creation.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
