A Resurrection Blessing
Early narcissus—photo by Susan Izard
Dear Soul Friends,
Resurrection has arrived. Daffodils are blooming in the woods below my house just in time for me to make an Easter bouquet. I love arranging cut flowers. The focused, quiet movement of placing each stem in a favorite vase is meditative and peaceful. I once tried to make each arrangement perfect, but now I put a stem where I think it will look best and wait and see what happens over the next few days. The flowers have a way of arranging themselves as they settle and continue to open. I’ve discovered the arrangement often delights me with its own personality. It’s enough to let the beauty, smell, and color be a blessing. It makes my soul sing.
Last week, I was in the North Carolina Piedmont visiting my son and his family and meeting our newest granddaughter. North Carolina is already bursting with spring. White flowering dogwood trees glistened against the bright blue sky, filling in the understory below massive budding oak trees. It was a spectacular sight, reminding me of earlier years living there when two of my own babies were born. Every afternoon, I’d take a walk to a local park and sit under the beautiful tree canopy. It’s as though the trees wanted to arch over us and offer a blessing, reminding me that we are intertwined with the story of life.
We might be glued to our phones and technology. We might be dismayed by world news or painful life events, but the trees have another story. “Look up and be awed,” they say. “Rejoice. We all belong to each other. Watch and see. New life has begun.”
Each morning, just before six, the birds began to sing. There is nothing like bird song in the North Carolina Piedmont. I kept the window wide open each night, so I wouldn’t miss it. It’s the best morning meditation ever. I thought you might like to hear it, too.
Take a minute to be still. Close your eyes and check into your body. Take a few deep breaths and tell yourself there is enough time to listen for one minute to the glory of nature’s song. When you are ready, click on the audio recording. Let the sound of the birds fill you with peace.
As you move through your week, may you notice what makes your soul sing. May you be blessed by the glory of resurrection bursting around you, and may you know that you are held in the loving embrace of the Great Creator’s gift of life.
Deep peace to you,
Susan
