After the second service on Sunday morning service several people said "you can go and relax now." Nice thought, but not always the reality. In fact, I was awake at 3:30 Monday morning, my mind racing. There was no good reason other than the intense activity of the previous two weeks. There is so much to do and so much detail in the various services and with our use of projection our responsibilities are ramped up. We have a great staff and a hard-working Worship and Music committee but this is the busiest time of the year for me -- even busier than Christmas.
Fortunately we were given the gift of beautiful weather and we managed to get out for some walks and bicycle rides in the midst of the activity. During the liturgically gloomy days of Holy Week it was wonderful to experience the improbable gift of an early Spring. I find these outdoors moments to be great stress relievers. And while the gym is good, it is always trumped by the natural world.
On walks I saw a garter and a brown snake. There was an unidentified butterfly. The kingfishers and swallows and mergansers and cardinals and blue herons were all back. For me this is a wonderful affirmation of the God of creation, even as we are celebrating the Christ of resurrection. All this with the absence of blackflies and mosquitoes!
Did you have opportunities to get outside this weekend?
9 comments:
The weather is finally getting nice in Saskatchewan. I am enjoying the sun and the cool to warm temperatures. Nothings budding yet, but I am beginning to see bugs and tons of geese in the sky coming north.
I'm beginning to think about gardening and yard work and the farmers are looking forward to seeding; but in the meantime, I'm getting air in my bike tires, and beginning to walk to work again. It is so wonderful to have new life upon us again.
We were out doors over the weekend, on the north shore of Lake Huron, and the birds are very busy! There were a pair of mergansers who came by daily along with a pair of mallards. Soon their young will follow. The crocus were also in bloom!
What I enjoyed most was the peace and tranquility. Usually where we visit things are a hive of activity, with water sports, lawn mowers,and the noise of people. However, this weekend, not many were around, there was only one boat on the lake and it was QUIET. Taking this quiet time beside the lake is always refreshing and renewing. I'm glad we can have these times.
Was out and about this weekend, watching egg-pacing, going to the Eden Project, walking by the ocean. It was wet, cold and windy but wonderful! This planet is wonderful in the spring.
I took full advantage of the nice weather to go out for a couple of nice long runs. It was fantastic, and felt great putting sunblock on and realizing we only just finished with March!
Nice to hear the weather is getting decent in Saskatchewan...but winter is probably just around the corner again, Deborah!
OK. That is not what I want to hear!
Although, any kind of moisture right now, whether it be rain or snow, would be a good thing.
It's funny you should mention walking at Easter time David. When a youth, between the 7 am Sunrise service and breakfast and the 10 am Sunday School hour, our family of 4 then 5 would come home, pick up the family dog and go for a walk down the courntry road. It was delightful and a wonderful viewing of God's celebration. It was really nice yesterday - three of the family went for a walk after our meal and enjoyed God's creation epecially the blue birds. The rest of the family went to the neighbours to see the month old lambs. Truly an EAster celebration for all!
I was able to get my Mom out for a walk on Good Friday and realized, that due to her lack of mobility, she hadn't been out of doors since October. About two weeks ago I heard one of the nurses at her residence say that if they could just get everyone outside for a few hours, she's sure everyone would feel better. And I agree, although fresh air can't cure all, it sure is a tonic.
It's interesting to read what you were able to do outside over Easter, whether here in Ontario or Saskatchewan or Britain.
Those activities are "soul work" whether in terms of a run or a ramble or an effort to get an elderly loved one back out to an awareness of creation.
Thanks!
This as an email from Bill:
THE GREAT OUTDOORS AND ALL THAT NATURE OFFERS HELPS US ALL ALLEVIATE STESS IN OUR LIVES. MY MORNING AND EVENING WALKS BY THE LAKE WITH THE DOGS HAS BECOME A VERY SPECIAL TIME IN MY DAY.IT GIVES ME A QUIET TIME TO THINK,PLAN AND PRAY.I WENT TO THE LAKE ON GOOD FRIDAY WHICH WAS A BEAUTIFUL SUN-FILLED DAY AND THE LAST OF THE ICE WENT OUT OF THE LAKE WHILE I WAS THERE,THAT IS ALWAYS AN EXITING EXPERIENCE.YOU CAN WATCH THE LAKE COME FULLY TO LIFE.WATCHING WILD LIFE AND LISTENING TO THE BIRDS SING THEIR SWEET SONGS IS SOME OF THE WONDERMENT OF CREATION.I DID SPOT A LITTLE RED FOX WHO AKSO SEEMED TO BE ENJOYING THE SPRING DAY.NEEDLESS TO SAY THE DOGS ENJOYED THEIR FIRST SWIM OF THE SEASON. I DID COME HOME FEELING A LITTLE REFRESHED
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