Ascension Holy Communion, Thursday, 7 PM

 

Benvenuto Tisi da Garofalo - 

Ascension of Christ

When Positive Forces Merge in the Mud

Not long ago I was watering all the gardens because I wanted to make sure some new and old plants had enough moisture.

I had some earthworm compost, which was perfect for filling in the places where I planted Joe Pye.

Previously I put some extra earthworms in the rose garden and backyard gardens.

I used the rain-barrel to get the new roses going, since we had so many steady, drying breezes with little or no rain. I gave all new roses routine rain showers with my MAGA - or is that MEGA - watering can.

In early spring, Ranger Bob delivered a truckload of wood mulch, which I used early to hold in moisture and ward off clumsy feet (mine).

When I left for the Anabasis and returned - the Katabasis - it was raining a lot in Springdale. Xenophon wrote a famous book used now for teaching Greek, about going on a military expedition (the Anabasis) and returning (the Katabasis). I once had a Greek history set in English that included Xenophon's work - very interesting since it does not require Greek vocabulary and grammar.

We came back to Springdale, very late in the day, to a magical garden that blossomed during the 10-day trip. It was dark, so the colorless roses were waving in the breeze, suggesting an even better display in the sunlight. 

What happened to create such growth?

1. Mulch and leaves were always rotting into the soil, feeding the creatures, while holding in the moisture normally robbed by steady breezes.
2. Earthworms and all soil citizens increase with rain and hold/exchange vital chemicals.
3. Deep roots - Joe Pye, uninvited weeds, and dandelions - drain the rain into deeper soil, breaking up clay and holding back run-off. Try the bucket challenge. Pour five gallons of water on a deeply rooted plant. It will absorb the water like a street drain (but no municipal taxes). Next pour it on an established but shallow-rooted plant. It will run off lawn grass, possibly sweep away new plants.
4. Sunshine dries the soil and power-ups the growth instincts of all plants.

God's Creation heals and transforms itself. We get to watch these wonders if we take the time to apply what is clearly revealed many times over in the Bible. All things were created by the Son of God, the Logos - no exception.

Beginning with the power of the Gospel causing faith, the various forces accomplish God's purpose through the Means of Grace, spiritual fruits growing from being on the True Vine - John 15.