Tag: Spring

God’s Spring Sunbeam

*Dandelion near Bradley Wood. photographed by Piers Northam*

I confess that I love Dandelions. They are always welcome in my garden. They brighten the early Spring and they are a wonder to behold.
Maybe if we didn’t take them for granted or, worse, wage war on them, we might appreciate the intricate sun flower in all its bright array.
The golden dandelion, with its intricate and gorgeous leaf formation will still be bringing bright joy to otherwise dull verges, hedgerows, fields, wastelands, and almost anywhere, whatever we feel about them.

I find this story (which I’ve quoted on a number of occasions) great fun.
A frustrated gardener wrote to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
In his letter he explained that his aim to have a perfect lawn was being thwarted by the persistence of Dandelions. They simply kept appearing no matter what he did. He had tried to root them out; he had smothered them with various chemicals; He had re-sown the most badly affected areas but it was all to no avail. In desperation he begged the Ministry to provide him with a solution to get rid of the Dandelions forever.
After the usual delay, an official wrote back to him.
The letter offered the Department’s considered advice: We suggest that you learn to love them.

We should indeed learn to love them, though I am not expecting total agreement about that!

Here’s a poem from someone who does agree with me!

Unwelcomed
Save by children,
Dandelion,
I declare you
Patron flower
Of prophets.

Who would
Believe such power
Lies within
The beauty
Of your soft
Geometric fluff
Posed to take
A ride
On the wind
And land in
Uninvited places?

Sister Donna Butler [Sisters of Providence]

[Mr G. 8th May 2026]

Ordinary Time?

*Photos by Gill Henwood of Hellebore & Rhododendron in her Lakeland Garden*

The short period between the end of the Christmas Season (at Candlemass on February 2^nd) and Lent, is known in the Church as ‘Ordinary Time’.
As far as Nature is concerned this is very far from the truth. In the Western Hemisphere and particularly in Europe we are moving into the season of Spring. Though in many parts of Europe it has been a particularly stormy and wet period of late, there are many signs that there is new life emerging from the earth.

The photos which my friend Gill Henwood has sent show “hellebores in full flower and an early rhododendron.” She says that “both were budding before Christmas and, so far, have weathered frost and wind”, not forgetting hares which have turned their attention towards other plants this year!
The Christmas Box plant has been wafting beautiful scent throughout Cristmastide. The aroma is fabulous even on dark mornings and dark night walks in the garden. For Gill, this is a reminder of the Frankincense of Christmas.

The ‘Greening’ of the earth which Gill’s photos point to is being experienced through the emergence of buds and bulbs shooting on branches and in the soil. Crocus and daffodil are close behind. My tulips are pushing leaves through the top of the pots, seeking the breath of light and life. This morning, near the church path, buds and a dusting of green spoke to me of God’s amazing creative activity. This Winter has been harsh for many and the world situation is so dire that there is a need for us to re-focus.

Right on cue we can fill our lungs with a breath of hope and wonder.
We can find joy in the singing of the birds and soon the animal kingdom will fill our fields, forests & woodlands and gardens with new life. Bees and butterflies, insects and worms will populate our gardens, hedgerows,lakes and ponds. So much new life and growth will teem and swirl, dance full of life and reach to heaven as the trees prepare to become shade and homes and hiding places for all manner of creation..

And we? The Spirituality of Nature lifts our souls from creation to Creator.
All this is gift from our giving God!
And in a mutual thanksgiving, our part is to be custodians and stewards of the earth, living in deep friendship with Creation, Nature, and with all who allow us to share this earth with them.

As the poet Rumi reminds us:

In this earth,
in this immaculate field,
we shall not plant any seeds
except for compassion,
except for love.

Such a giving from God leaves no room for anything from us but compassion and love for all.
Hardly an Ordinary Time!

[Mr G. with thanks and love to Gill Henwood for her wonderful photos
and comments.]

Keep me as the apple of your eye

Morning near Tarn Hows, Lake District. Photo by Gill Henwood

An early morning reflection from the Lake District
by my friend, Gill Henwood.

Out early morning, the dogs have swum in Tarn Hows
and we’re returning through the woods above Coniston.
The birds are singing all around us,
in the unfurling tender canopy of leaves and tree blossom.
No wind: the day is rapidly heating in the nearly-summer sun.

A cuckoo sounds across the fells. We heard two yesterday in Little Langdale
… heralds of summer (and danger, if you are a future foster parent bird sitting on eggs).
The shade of the delicate canopy brought to mind:

“Keep me as the apple of your eye
Hide me under the shadow of your wings.”

Psalm 17.8

The peace and calm of protecting shade, the ‘wings’ of myriad mature trees above.

But other wings break into the birdsong (though they ignore them).
Fighter jets are training, flying circuits below the fell tops, preparing for defence,
reminding us that peace and calm have a terrible cost.
Thinking of Ukraine, the Middle East, people in conflict wherever.
May they one day hear the birds sing, the cuckoo call, and find shelter under shading trees.

Till then, may our prayer be with the psalmist,(above)
prayed at Night Prayer, Compline, the traditional offices, prayed at Night Prayer, Compline, the traditional offices.

Gill Henwood.
May 2025

In a world of turmoil ….

Cartmel Priory, Cumbria ~ Remembrance garden.
photo by Gill Henwood.

Posted the day after President Trump sent shockwaves of uncertainty around the world, this beautiful Oasis of peace at Cartmel reminds us how much the world is actually caught up in the love of God. Cartmel Priory has been a reminder of that love for centuries and will go on being so long after the world has forgotten who Mr Trump was.
Gill’s words below help us to refocus.

Evening light, April

Birds join evensong in chorus

Newborn lambs scampering

Peace in a world of turmoil

Gill xx