JERUSALEM CROSS GARDENING...OF SOIL AND SOUL: June 2019

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

It's Thyme to Dance. With the Trinity*

Quite simply, it's time! And thyme will serve as both symbol and daily inspiration.

The driveway of Hougham Park, our home in Spokane, WA

Firstly, time. It's time to join the divine dance of the Trinity, something we Westerners have been missing out on for far too long - living as friends, with God, with people, and with all creation. The words relationship and unity (within diversity) will be key to putting such friendship into practice during a time of climate change and tribalism, both of which are threatening the wellbeing of the entire planet and its' people.

Secondly thyme. Thyme, will sign my new commitment to joining this divine dance. The planting is done. Into the cracks between the concrete slabs of our drive and path, a space too often preoccupied with annoying weeds, sprigs of thyme have been planted. Already they are taking root, greening up, even starting to flower. All that is needed now is some regular weeding and watering, and soon beauty and fragrance will welcome guests, and all things divine, on their approach over the Thyme Drive and Thyme Walk to the front door of a home striving to live in friendship with all things.

Thyme takes root in the cracks of
drive and path

Planting thyme, however, is Act One of this time of new beginnings. Act Two will be to design and develop a potager garden (a French term) on the south west of our property. A potager garden's purpose is to produce food - local and organic - cultivating flowers and herbs alongside fruit and vegetables to enhance the garden's beauty. Once the deer proof fences are up, the "gardening of soil" will begin.

Sabbaticals are wonderful gifts, and I am so grateful to my congregation for allowing me time to explore how to truly join the divine dance in order to live in FRIENDSHIP.

Well, this blog entry is done. It's "thyme" to dance - time to go do some gardening "of soil and soul."
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*As inspired by Anton Rublev's Trinity icon and reflections by Fr. Richard Rohr, Henry Nouwen and others. More can be read about the icon here.

About Jerusalem Cross Gardening

In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.

(James 1: 21. The Message)

Jerusalem Cross Gardening...of Soil and Soul

...of Soil (Pleasure)

Cilantro. Basil. Mint. Garlic. Planted in the four little crosses of my raised-bed in my potager garden, these herbs will add flavor to family dishes - think picante sauce, pesto and hummus - bringing taste and pleasure to our meals.

...and of Soul (Purpose)

But there is more. The same four little crosses reminds us of the four acts that deepen faith - acts of devotion, worship, compassion and justice - flavoring the pleasures of life with divine intention.

Just as the herbs flavor our meals, regular engagement of the four acts help flavor our witness to the way of Christ in the world, bringing purpose (Bread of Heaven) to pleasure (bread of the earth) and a holy spice to lives God uses to "landscape" the world.

Jerusalem-Cross-Gardening for Small Groups:

To spice up your life, consider joining a weekly small group. Meet regularly with friends for contemplation, reading scripture, and fellowship. Allow the Word to landscape your life. Share how you have "witnessed to Jesus Christ in the world through the acts of devotion, worship, compassion and justice under the guidance of the Holy Spirit" each week as a way of mutually encouraging one another in your spiritual walk.

We're all invited to the divine dance. Join the journey. Jerusalem-Cross-Gardening-of-soil-and-soul invites us onto the "Trinity-mapped" playground of God where Christ plays in creation (Father), history (Jesus) and community (Holy Spirit). (Eugene Peterson).