Today, I went to church.
I stepped out into the garden
and the choir was already in full voice –
sparrows carrying the melody with soprano trills and leaps
to the jubilant chorus of a solo robin,
while the early morning gentle autumn sun
shone through the petals of a sunflower
like a stained-glass window.
A fat furry bee zig zagged past me
searching for its harvest of nectar
in the scarlet flowers of a runner bean plant.
In this church
the prayers are gratitude
the hymns are praise
and the lesson is peace.
And all the creatures exemplify the gifts and grace of God.
Amen.
L.M.D.
Moment by Moment 
Nature is my church, too! There is nothing like spending a little time meditating among the trees, birds, and mushrooms…appreciating the good things in your life and loving the people around you, regardless of their religion or lack of one, and being grateful for everything and everyone that gives you joy and happiness. Thanks, Lesley, for sharing your thoughts and images. I enjoy them!
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You couldn’t have said it better, γΏγ«,
I didn’t go out with the intentions of meditating – just to throw some pellets for the robin and I ended up spending longer outside than I’d intended, as all the feelings arose in me spontaneously. It was a beautiful interlude. I realised just how good life is.
Have a lovely Sunday!
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A lovely poem, Lesley, and obviously from your heart. This morning, we did a short 60 minute walk (there and back) to a favourite spot along the canal and the sun shone, the birds sang and cawed (lots of rooks and crows besides the hedgerow birds) and the hedges were full of haws and elderberries! So, we spent our time also in the outdoor church of Nature and your poem just pulls all my thoughts together as a prayer of thankfulness. ππ
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Thank you so much, Ashley, for this beautiful comment. Your walk along by the canal sounds lovely. It really is uplifting to be in the outdoors along with all the other creatures who live alongside us. Nature is surely God’s real church! π π¦ π· π π» π₯°
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Lesley, shortly after reading your post I came across the following:
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45428/the-morning-watch
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Ashley, thank you for sending me the link to this beautiful poem. I’d heard the name Henry Vaughan before but had thought he was a more recent poet. I was surprised to see that he goes right back to the 17th Century. Perhaps the language in the poem should have given me some clues! π
I would love to make a collection of poems with this particular theme. It would make a perfect prayer book. Thanks Ashley.
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I wasn’t sure if you might think it “old fashioned”. It was by chance that I read it. Happy reading π
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No Ashley, it’s beautiful and I enjoy poetry from all eras. I’ve just been reading about how the turmoil during the English Civil War caused people to worship in private – probably why nature was so important to people like Henry Vaughan in expressing spirituality. Knowing what was going on at the time helps me to understand the poems more, but it’s a wonderful poem in its own right, regardless of when it was written. I’m glad you sent me the link because I know very little about the English Civil War (just what I learned at school) and it’s inspired me to learn more.
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