When you live in the same place for a long time, you have at your fingertips a well of intuitive and practical knowledge. Relocating takes you back to square one.
Indoors I’m an experienced writer who approaches assignments with confidence. Outdoors I’m someone who frequently feels overwhelmed. Looking around the garden, I fret, how can I possibly, possibly do this?
The answer is: I can’t – at least not on my own.
Living from my expertise is comfortable, but it makes me a little too self-reliant. In a crisis, I tend to look to my own resources first. God is my last resort.
God is more essential to midlife beginner me. To meet the demands of this new place and new phase of life, God will have to lead my apprenticeship and send along the angels willing to share strong backs and outdoor skills.
So let spring begin, God. Hear my prayer for the courage to shut the door to my office and step into the garden as a humble beginner. Like a parent, guide my steps and forgive my mistakes, as time and practice and your gifted people mold me into a real gardener.
This message is excerpted from “Midlife beginner” by Anne Basye from the April 7, 2016, blog of the Women of the ELCA. Today we commemorate Benedict the African, confessor, 1589.
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