Walking with Wonder

Be Astonished

“My work is loving the world.

Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird

equal seekers of sweetness.

Here the quickening yeast, there the blue plums.

Here the clam deep in the speckled sand.

Are my boots old? Is my coat torn?

Am I no longer young, and still not half-perfect? Let me

keep my mind on what matters,

which is my work,

which is mostly standing still, and learning to be astonished.”

Mary Oliver

From “Messenger” (2006) first appeared in Nature and Spirituality

This is an absolutely glorious day here in Alabama. It is cool and sunny. We've had the most atypical run-up to summer that I can remember. Usually by now, May 15^th, the temperatures are routinely in the 90's with high humidity. This morning requires long sleeves—God is good!

There is no better way to kick off summer than by reading some of Mary Oliver's nature poetry. On this Pentecost Sunday, I believe that our job, too, is to love the world—to love God's handiwork by shutting down our computers, leaving our cell phones beside the bed, and high-tailing it outside. Shout for joy over sunshine and bird song, blooming jasmine and climbing roses. Drop to your knees in a field of blooming clover. Stand still and learn to be astonished.

                                                                 In the Spirit,

                                                                     Jane