Wind Speed Season & Creation

 

                                                                         Osprey fishing

1 As comes the breath of spring with light and mirth and song,

so does your Spirit bring new days brave, free, and strong.

You come with thrill of life to chase hence winter's breath,

to hush to peace the strife of sin that ends in death.

2 You come like dawning day with flaming truth and love,

to chase all glooms away, to brace our wills to prove

how wise, how good to choose the truth and its brave fight,

to prize it, win or lose, and live on your delight.

                                                   Voices United  373

We are now in Wind Speed season because we're constantly checking to see whether we can get out for a paddle, either in a canoe or kayaks. Well, I may be the obsessive one and Ruth is my patient, some would say long-suffering partner in crime.

This morning we were on the Bay of Quinte, a long arm of Lake Ontario, by 7:30 and the water was quite calm, as predicted. Within a few minutes we saw a water snake, a fish jumped, and carp were roiling near the shore in spawning activity. We also spotted several ospreys and blue herons while the air was filled with birdsong. There were no other humans and no masking necessary. 

Not only do I find these outings wondrously calming, they remind me of the complexity and abundance of Creation. I am not naive about what we humans are inflicting upon our planetary home. The tiny landing where we launched our canoe was festooned with garbage -- why, why, why? After we returned I ran a couple of errands and heard about the severe water shortage in the American Southwest which threatens the supply for 40 million people, more than the population of Canada.

In so many places around the planet circumstances are dire as the result of fouling our own nest and while we can mobilize billions collaboratively to respond to war we seem unable to make peace with the natural world which sustains us.  

I want to be able to hold on to the hope which comes when I'm in the midst of Creation, whether walking a woodland trail bordered by trilliums (yesterday) paddling as we did this morning, or toiling in the garden (garlic, lettuce, kale are up.) And I want this hope to motivate me as a Christian for the sake of my grandchildren and each generation of living creature.

God the Creator will " rouse the heart from drifting to despair, through high hopes to impart life with an ampler air.

3 You come like songs at morn that fill the earth with joy,

till we, in Christ newborn, new strength in praise employ.

You come to rouse the heart from drifting to despair,

through high hopes to impart  life with an ampler air.

4 You breathe and there is health; you move and there is power;

you whisper, there is wealth of love, your richest dower.

Your presence is to us like summer in the soul;

your joy shines forth and then life blossoms to its goal.

                                      Voices United  373