Desert meditation - July 13
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 38; PM Psalm 119:25-48, Joshua 3:1-13; Rom. 11:25-36; Matt. 25:31-46
While I was in seminary in Austin, Texas, Sam and I would go to this nursery and organic gardening center called The Natural Gardener. It was a remarkable piece of sprawling Hill Country nestled in the exponential growth of an urban mecca. The Natural Gardener embraced the hot sun of Texas, and the toll it could take on terrain, by balancing dusty pathways and drought-tolerant grasses with arrays of wildflowers. The gardens were a botanical haven, with an edible garden for kids to take snips of various herbs and lettuces, and staff to guide and invite them to do so. Josephine was four or five when we first went there, so the huge swing on long thick ropes grabbed her attention, as did the pasture with fickle goats and a reluctant donkey.
There were days in the white-hot summer we would drive the 30+ minutes out to this retreat, not to buy new plants – as we were renting the house we lived in. It was for survival…we needed a place to go to take a breath and a change in the rhythm of the week. On one of those days that had been tumultuous, I remember finding great refreshment at The Natural Gardener - not in the rainbow of floral designs and babbling brook, but as I wandered the dusty grey path, winding up a slow rise past dry tall grasses, old fences, and older trees toward small corners of shade. I let go of the troubles upon my shoulders and the tears waiting to pour down my cheeks. It felt like time slowed down as I ambled and explored.
This old dirt path felt like it held the same power as a labyrinth, inviting me into prayer as I took one step at a time. On that day, I did not need the bright colors of flowers to entice or keep me; I stepped through the wild and untamed parts, sturdy and resilient. On that day, I needed to feel peace in the dust. For in that desert terrain, one drop of water yields life and growth and a burst of beauty.
A part of Psalm 119 is appointed for this afternoon or evening’s prayer time; verses 33 through 40 capture my attention as invitations to meditate and return to an emotional and spiritual center within oneself, with God’s help. The psalmist’s voice calls out in this prayer of direction to God:
“Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statues, and I will observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain. Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways. Confirm to your servant your promise, which is for those who fear you. Turn away the disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good. See, I have longed for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life.”
Notice the verbs used: teach, give, lead, turn, confirm, see. In this raw prayer for God’s refreshing guidance, life is hard. This is a prayer for God’s order to break in upon our messy, dusty life.
This hot July morning, I give thanks for this piece of Psalm 119, as I imagine rehearsing these words while walking the winding desert garden path in Texas. The waves of emotion parallel the turns and switchbacks of the maze of a labyrinth meditation. What a cleansing and centering experience that can be, to allow these ancient prayers to draw us nearer to God. Breathing, praying, being. Being self. Being with God. Being loved.
Katherine+
Questions for Self-Reflection:
Where is a safe and comfortable space for you to reconnect and recenter yourself? When have you done that kind of “reset” in the last month? What sounds and images bring you that sense of peace on a hard day?
Daily Challenge:
Go for a 10-minute mindfulness walk. Take your time. Listen for God guiding you, tending to you, refreshing you. Give thanks to God for the breath that comes into your body, and as you exhale, release those things that are unresolved, painful, and weighing you down.