By Heather A.M. Sinclair
Spring has finally sprung! The crocuses and daffodils had an early debut, but valiantly survived throughout the remaining cold and snow of winter. The flowering trees are raining down their brilliantly colored petals. The temperatures are warming bit by bit. And perhaps the most telling sign of spring in Greenwich, beach passes are now in effect!
It is always fascinating to watch the changes of New England seasons. From day to day, snow to sun to rain, the scenery changes. My brief walk up and down the street where we live to bring my daughters to and from the bus stop is a daily reminder of the gradual transformation. It was on one of those walks home, a couple of weeks ago, that we spotted a minor, and almost hidden, miracle. A single stalk of grass, with a few bright green blades, growing straight out of the pavement, several inches from other grass and with no discernable fertile soil.
Of course, as one does these days when spotting a miracle, I pulled out by smartphone and posted the picture to Facebook. I titled the photo “Now that’s resilience!” My Facebook friends responded with comments like “determination,” “#shepersisted,” “nature always finds a way,” and “resurrection.” Who knew that one stalk of grass could get so many “likes”?
Biologically and botanically, we know that the growth of a plant requires just the right combination of sun, water and nutrients in the soil. If any one of those ingredients is missing, then the plant will likely not be able to survive and thrive. But there is something more. Some miraculous spark that nurtures growth even in the most unusual, unexpected and unfavorable conditions. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the early church at Corinth, reminded the fledging faith community, “I [Paul] planted, Apollos [another travelling preacher] watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
Sometimes life, at home, at work, at school, in the community, across the nation, and around the world, feels like a futile struggle toward an unattainable goal. We get weighed down with worries, busy schedules, negative voices, and numerous other obstacles that stunt our creative and productive growth. We assume we know what success and fruitfulness can and should look like, but we struggle to get there, even with all the perfect combinations of ingredients.
Faith reminds us that when we let go of our expectations and trust fully in the One who gives us all we need to then we are blessed with abundant life, even in the most challenging of situations. Consider all the biblical and historical figures who thought they did not have the gifts or the voice or the authority to make a difference. Moses had a speech impediment, but God used him to speak to the people. Jeremiah claimed to be too young to be a prophet, but God insisted. Faithful men and women who sought healing from Jesus would not take “no” for an answer from his over-protective disciples.
Centuries later, Rosa Parks refused to move from her seat, sending ripples and waves across the nation. Malala Yousafzai faced personal danger to stand up for the educational rights of girls. The stories of faithful persistence are endless. Stories of faithful persistence can be ours, if and when we allow ourselves to be nourished by the life-giving spark that comes from the One who created all things and called them good.
On my walk to the bus stop today, I checked on that stalk of grass. It is not only still growing greener, stronger and taller, but it is miraculously pushing the rock-hard pavement out of the way.
The Rev. Heather A. M. Sinclair is pastor of First United Methodist Church in Greenwich.
