STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

Transforming the Yard: WORKING HARD

It wasn’t so long ago that I saw the crocus through the window in my living room that looks out into the backyard. Although they last for a short period of time, the crocus is perhaps one of my favorite blooms. Sure, the flower is pretty unto itself. Its purple and white hues add a bit of needed color to the drab surroundings.

Of greater import, however, is what this small purple blossom represents. Hope. Spring. New life. Gone is the harshness of deep winter. The time for green growth has arrived. Shortly after you see crocuses, you will be overwhelmed by the rapid deployment of spring.

The annual arrival of crocus brings with it a reminder; their tiny, flare-shaped bodies trumpet a call that awakens my lazy self. Gardening season is near, and suddenly there is much work to do!

Throughout this chapter, I shared parables of participation and effort. These were stories of “doing” the work of God’s Kingdom. Responding to God’s love and grace, we do. Or we do not. There are consequences to both our action and inaction. When we follow in the path of love, we are in alignment with God. When we follow our agendas and inclinations apart from love, we are heading in a different direction. Separation from God occurs; or to use the language of Christian tradition, sin abounds. This has negative implications in our relationship with God and with others.

Although we can’t by our work obtain God’s favor, earn God’s grace, or fashion eternal peace, what we do matters a great deal. God’s Kingdom will be known or hidden according to our words, deeds, and responses. We have a role and a part to play. To ignore this reality is to pursue what Lutheran Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer labeled “cheap grace.” (see Cost of Discipleship).

The reason that my backyard looks lovely these days is a direct result of Katie’s many efforts of planting, pruning, weeding, mulching, fertilizing, etc. Were it not for her excellent work, the yard would be unruly. Sure, it might be green, but I doubt there would be as many flowers and we wouldn’t be awaiting a vegetable harvest.

I am grateful for Katie’s energy, persistence, and attention. Like the area inside our house, Katie’s work has created a home space outside the back door. There is a favorable judgment to be made each time we sit on the deck, relax, and share time with friends.

So it goes with the spiritual life. It takes work. It takes daily attention and care. Prayer, reflection, and engagement in helping others are all part of the good and holy work that is needed. Sure, the harvest will always come as a gift and usually when we least expect it; but hard work matters. Efforts of cultivation make a difference.

Our life with God and with others takes tending, nurture, and care. Relationships grow as we engage with one another. When we ignore, deny, or overlook those with whom we are connected something diminishing happens. Relationships suffer and lie dormant or even die. Our inaction levies an adverse judgment. Sometimes the damage is irreparable or irreversible. From time to time, we can find ourselves in a hell of our making.

Judged. Broken. Separated. Alone. Hurting. We are all in need of help, reconciliation, reconnection, and grace. Like the person who has fallen into a giant pit, our predicament is made worse by our inability to get ourselves unstuck. Now the work seems futile. Try as we might, at this point in the journey, we find ourselves unable to move forward. Enter frustration and despair.

It is at this moment when we are lost that we are in most need of God’s intervention and grace-filled action. The good news, gospel, is that God acts. God’s nature is one of redemption. God responds, even when we are unable, to bring about renewal.

Forgiveness is no longer an abstract concept. It is a tangible work of a loving God on behalf of a judged and damaged people. For me (and you) in real time. Forgiveness repairs the bruised and broken connections with the healing balm of love. No matter the tears and gaps in the relationship with God from the past, forgiveness mends and allows for something new for the future.

A crocus breaks through the ground as a sign that spring has arrived. God remains steadfast and faithful. At this point, a new invitation to participate, cultivate, tend, and care emerges. We are given another chance to join in the daily work of gardening. It is never too late for us to take part in the work of the Kingdom. Thanks be to God for the cycles and seasons that surround us and give us hope.

STEP THREE: PRAY

Gracious God,

with you forgiveness abounds. You are a God of second, third, and fourth chances. In fact, you never stop moving toward us with love. Allow your grace and mercy seep to the core of our being so that we might know it without question. Informed by your forgiveness, may we share this life-giving blessing with others.

Through Jesus Christ, Amen.