Early in August three of our members of Contemplative Fire organized a Pilgrimage to Now/here – an awareness walk in nature. Pilgrimages like this are one of the most delightful things we offer in our community life. I really enjoy them!

As we set out on the walk I put the question to the Spirit: What will help me find a sustainable life? During the walk I repeatedly encountered what felt like Spirit wisdom. A while ago I shared my ‘garbage moment’ with you. Over the next while I’ll introduce you to some trees I met.

One of trees was a strong and healthy maple – nothing surprising about that since Toronto is located in southern Ontario and their leaves will soon become touched with red, yellow, orange and gold. I was stopped by this particular tree. What I noticed was that it had had many limbs cut off and was still a strong growing tree. It’s not unusual for a tree to lose limbs but what I saw that day was that sometimes limbs are intentionally cut off.

Sometimes in my life things need to come to an end. A limb of my life will finish. Not every commitment, group, project, idea, not every relationship, friendship, work partnership is for my whole life. S o m e t h i n g s c o m e t o a n e n d. Sustainability most likely entails knowing what to keep and what to allow to be cut off. There is a sensitive discernment that something needs to change, perhaps come to an end.
I loved seeing this healthy tree with spots where limbs had been cut off. Part of me just runs away from commitments, relationships, and deep intimacy. For years I ran and hid. I think I left severed limbs scattered around me as I dashed away in hiding. Probably now I have matured a bit and run less. I probably err on the side of collecting responsibilities or commitments and have a harder time discerning when something has ceased to be needed. That tree reminds me that not all things last all of my life. Some things do come to an end, and when that happens life will still continue.
I still feel a reluctance to prune myself, but more openness to let God be the gardener.

What does your life look like today? Time to prune or ask for some pruning?

Love and prayers on the journey
Anne
Community Leader Contemplative Fire Canada

“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:2

On next week…

Spirit Cinema

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Refreshments 6:15pm, Start 7pm

St. John’s York Mills, 19 Don Ridge Drive

This month’s film features the untold story of everyday women who brought a warring nation in West Africa to its senses…armed only with their faith and the courage of their convictions! Learn More

Monthly Gathering

Our Gathering will be hold on Sunday, October 30, 2016 with silence beginning at 4pm.  Please join us for an experience encounter with scripture!

Location: St. Leonard’s Church, 25 Walnes Avenue Learn More