THE SOUND OF SILENCE #2
Richard J. Thayer – May 26, 2006
“In the rustling grass I hear Him pass – He speaks to me everywhere.” These familiar and oft sung words remind us of a world “out there” that is far removed from the hustle and bustle of our everyday life as we know it today. Those words also denote a silence – so silent that the mere rustling of grass awakens our senses.
Someone once said: “To be alone with silence is to be alone with God”
A leisure walk in places of beauty – with only the song of bird or chirp of cricket that breaks the silence – can be a relaxing and invigorating experience. One needs only to find a quiet place, think positive thoughts, and you will find that there is a relationship between what you are thinking and what you feel.
We at Bethlehem Reformed Church are richly blessed in having such a place of solitude and beauty in our Church Forest as we walk the “Ted Luidens Trail.” This forested area of about 70 acres was once an open meadow and potato field, but in 1948, thanks to Pastor Ted Luidens, a committee of three men was formed to oversee the planting of some 47,000 seedlings that now have matured to form our beautiful Van Rensselaer Forest and Wild Life Preserve as we know it. It is here that we can now experience that quiet and relaxing commune with nature and our Creator God – and there are lessons to learn from observation.
We know that certain plant and tree species will respond and grow much better than others, even when in the same type of soil and location. They will respond to their inbred traits of the species, and grow according to the nurture and care given them. As humans, we also respond in our growth and maturity in direct relationship to our heredity, environment, and our family and community. We will continue to grow as long as we feed our body and mind, both physically and spiritually.
In our forest preserve, we are fortunate to have a few Douglas Fir trees. These grow straight and tall – standing out with distinction – you might say the kings or queens of our forest. Unfortunately, these trees have buds that are particularly sensitive to an early spring frost and should be planted in areas of northern exposure to delay the opening of buds. Early opening of these buds, can seriously retard the growth – even to the death of the tree.
Again, as humans, we sometimes find ourselves sensitive to early constructive criticism and will allow this to dampen our enthusiasm or stunt our growth in society – even to transplanting ourselves to another community where, hopefully, we will find a different environment – one more to our way of thinking. What should have been considered as only a “light frost” in our life often becomes a major setback, and our “social forest” loses another “Douglas Fir.” As we ponder the loss, we cannot help but wonder if the habitat was wrong… or, did we fail to provide ample support and nourishment… or, was the soil too hard for our supportive roots to penetrate? We look to nature and our forest for some answers.
We know that there is strength in numbers. Many trees planted in groups will better stand the onslaught of heavy storms. This closeness also causes the trees to grow straight and tall – reaching upward to the light, their pointed spires heavenward, hopefully, mankind’s ultimate destination.
In the same token, we can better withstand times of trial and sorrow – the heavy storms in our lives – if we are closely associated with our Christian friends who will supply great strength and support. We are at our best when we work with others in close harmony and friendship. Our thoughts and prayers should be directed heavenward, reaching out in praise and glory to God, seeking His grace and presence in our life.
It is said that there is Glory in a grove of trees – and that we can realize God’s love and power through prayer and silent meditation. In our church forest, we can enjoy the benefits of both – as trees and prayer are both renewable resources.
Let us ever be grateful for our forest preserve – a place of beauty, silence, and inspiration.
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