In January I took a walk on the edges of the Ash Ranges. I began to relax into the environment and in turn my thinking. As I walked along the path I was alerted to some calls high up in the scots pines (Pinus sylvestris). A coal tit (Periparus ater) flew across the path into the scots pines to my left. It was so tiny against the large tree. It suddenly hit me that this mirrored something of our relationship to God the Father.
The little bird which is a similar size to a blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) was flitting around looking for food and seemingly very content. It was content in the safety of the towering tree. The tree was about 10m (30 feet) tall standing very straight and united with those around it. Reading between the lines that coal tit was not perturbed by the grandness around it. Food was in supply and all that the bird required was to abide or live in the presence of the tree to find it.
On another occasion, recently I had been overcome by some anxieties. I was lost in trying to work it out and quite literally I was brought up to the present moment by a crow flying over. With the crow came the words “…look at the birds of the air…” and I remembered that I needn’t worry. Everything was well, I and my family would be fed and clothed! Jesus’ command to birdwatch had quite taken me by surprise. I felt foolish, I felt like I should know better. He is patient with us that’s what love is!
Back to the coal tit. There can be a sense of being lost in God in a good way. This is what the bird was telling me. It was reassuring to know that even though he is a big God we are safe in that vastness of his being. That immense secure love that at times overwhelms us. I drank in the moment.
I looked back saw the light low and strong penetrating the woodland path with an ethereal glowing mist. Beautiful! The sun was the light, low in the sky in its winter brilliance! The rays of light shone through in the mist lighting up the scots pine which hid the coal tit. The rays of sunlight were highlighting the nature parable to me and the light of the goodness of God!
As I proceeded along my route, my eyes alighted upon various birch polypore’s (Piptoporus betulinus). These fungi, is an easily identifiable one If you know what silver birch looks like as it grows on them! Seeing them reminded me of what I had read about them on the wild foods website (http://www.wildfooduk.com/mushroom-guides/birch-polypore-mushroom/). They provide not only food, but various medicines and even a natural plaster!
The fruits of the earth and the jewels of the air joined together in marriage giving birth to joy in the heart at the mercy and grace of God!