A Grotto in the Trees
If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it is that we can live a simpler life and remain joyful at the same time. Everything has changed during the past few months. Calendars that were full have been cleared because of self-quarantine and social distancing. My once brown highlighted hair is now white and the real me is beginning to show through. Life has slowed down in many ways and I am more relaxed than I have ever been. This may not be true for you. If you are an essential worker, I cannot thank you enough for taking care of the rest of us. As a retired pastor, my call-in ministry now is Faith Break Media Ministry, prayer partner and friend, and talking or praying with someone whenever a pastor is needed but not otherwise available. I have retired four times since I retired the first time. That makes sense only to another pastor.
A grotto is described as a natural or man made cave or shrine usually found in a garden or park. The idea for The Grotto in the Trees was inspired because of the need of many of my friends and me for a quiet and solitary place to listen to God speaking to us through nature and our inner spirits. My husband Boyd and I decided that the perfect place to situate it would be at the far end of our yard beneath the tall pine trees next to a small pond. Building it has been a spiritual work of love for us as we cleared and made the area ready for us to spread river rocks and mulch. As you can see in the picture, a bench has been placed for the perfect view and pine branches left in place to create the feeling of the grotto and a sense of finding joy and peace during this time of chaos in the world. My sister Judy wrote about the Grotto saying “The breeze feels like the breath of God as He whispers through the rustling of the leaves.” “God walks on the mist rising in the morning from the pond and greets us in “The Grotto in the Trees”. And so He does!
I leave you with this Celtic Blessing; “May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures.”
Praying you find your quiet place
Rev. Carol
