Welcome to Colleen’s meme, Sabbath Moments. For me gardening helps me relax as I allow the Spirit of God to heal and soothe my inner spirit. It is the perfect way to let go of distractions to prepare to receive even more of His Holy Spirit on Pentecost this Sunday.
Colossians 1:16-17
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Have you noticed how people crave the outdoors? It doesn’t matter what the excuse, it can be anything from a simply walk, vigorous sports or lazy sun bathing, but people need to get out of buildings and connect with nature.
Man was never meant to live surrounded by concrete. In nature, there is a vital rejuvenating energy that restores and heals our emotions and our inner spirits. Man connects easiest with the Spirit of God in nature because He is most accessible and visible there. Even if we can’t express this concept, some unconscious part of us pushes us out the door. Probably this explains why children love to play outside as well primitive man’s spirituality.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
II. THE STAGES OF REVELATION
In the beginning God makes himself known
54 “God, who creates and conserves all things by his Word, provides men with constant evidence of himself in created realities. And furthermore, wishing to open up the way to heavenly salvation – he manifested himself to our first parents from the very beginning.”6 He invited them to intimate communion with himself and clothed them with resplendent grace and justice.
I can’t wait to get outside and into my gardens. We are fortunate to live on seven acres, with a creek, meandering gardens, a field of clover and lots of trees, deciduous and pine. I sense God’s Spirit in nature. His Presence softens my heart for communion with the Paraclete, my inner Companion.
Adam Boras Domingo, studying to be a priest, related this anecdote on motherofnine9I remember the very first weekend I had in our seminary, one of the Indian brothers asked me to remove my sandals as we work on the garden. When asked why, he explained that we are meant to be one with nature and that It’s our natural calling. Though he wasn’t really clear in his explanation, I sort of understood what he was trying to say.
Adam and Eve didn’t have slippers.
joy of nine9 
Beautiful pix. Wonderful Sabbath moment. I do not garden any more but I still feel close to God just looking at nature all around me. Thanks for joining me at sabbath moments.
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my pleasure- You are right; just simply looking out a window is often enough
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So lovely and so true. God often speaks to me through His creation…as long as I’m listening. 🙂
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that’s the clincher- we have to stay quiet enough to listens
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Hello Melanie! 🙂 I am on my way to priesthood, not yet a priest. 🙂 Hehehe.
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well i will say studying to be– you LOOK like a warm, benevolent, priest already!
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oh thank yoU! 🙂 That made my day! :))
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🙂
On Sat, May 18, 2013 at 11:07 PM, joy of nine9
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Very true. Lovely pictures. I’m jealous. Hah! I wrote a post about the importance of negative ions: http://www.sufferingwithjoy.com/2011/06/13/barefoot-in-the-grass/. We need them for our health. We get them by having our flesh come in contact with the earth and with water. We need the vitamin D from the sunshine, too. God knows what he’s doing.
I told a friend of mine, “Concrete and steel sap the soul.” No kidding. No negative ions there.
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Now that is a quotable quote
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