“Do not remember the past events;
Isaiah 43:18-19
pay no attention to things of old.
Look, I am about to do something new;
even now it is coming. Do you not see it?
Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness,
rivers in the desert.
NEW THINGS: ENJOYING THE BEAUTY
The passage above is a prophecy concerning Israel, but as all Scripture is the living Word of God, it speaks to us. The practice of Lectio Divina encourages us to look for certain words or phrases that stand out as we read. In this passage, the phrases “new thing” and “springs forth” stood out to me, because they reminded me of my life. I have had to let go of some things to make way for the new.
One of my “new things” is becoming aware of and enjoying the beauty around me – like noticing the little, seemingly ordinary things that often go unnoticed: the song of the wood thrush, dew sparkling on a spiderweb in the early morning sunshine, or something as simple as steam rising from that first cup of coffee.
Yet, as I think about it, this isn’t a new desire for me. I wrote this prayer over 20 years ago:
Thank you, Lord, for the beautiful world you have made! Help me to take the time to appreciate the beauty and learn more about you – and help me to pass this desire on to my children.
What is new is that I am making a greater effort to see and enjoy the beauty.
LESSONS FROM THE TREES: LETTING GO AND HOLDING ON
As I meditated on the Isaiah passage, I was drawn to the wooded view outside my window. I saw hardwood trees, whose leaves had mostly fallen, and evergreens, green and full. Interestingly, some of the hardwoods still had dead leaves hanging on as if for dear life. Eventually, they’d have to go, even if they waited until the new spring leaves forced them to fall.
Aren’t we like that sometimes?
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