This is the time of year when young things are introduced to the world. Recently dropped calves and foals are testing their wobbly legs. Mimi saw a fawn on the side of the road, seemingly too weak to walk. By the time she stopped the car and walked back to where she had seen the fawn, it had disappeared into the wheat field. While the winter wheat is being harvested, soy and milo are rising up out of the earth. In case you don't know, milo is a kind of sorghum grain that is used for feed.

The other morning on my walk I saw several young Garter snakes sunning themselves in the road. The problem with that practice is that some are easy prey for birds and some bear the distinct imprint of Michelin. James Hillman reminds us that from the moment we are conceived we are old enough to die.

In my garden the spinach has gone to seed already. We have eaten this year's strawberries. We have had to replant the squash, cucumber, and melons due to hail and some kind of unpleasant insect. The hens are laying more eggs than we can eat, sell, or give away.

This is the world that I live in. It is fertile, yet decaying, young and decrepit, hopeful and dying. My faith is like that. The issues that I deal with in my personal life and in my ministry are like that. That is also my spiritual journey. It is no one else's. More importantly such a journey is one of life, growth, and change. It is neither sterile nor stagnant.

I enjoy walking in the morning or in the evening. The songbirds are alive on both journeys. These include the Meadowlark, Mocking bird, Dickcissel, Cardinals, Goldfinch, Tufted Titmouse, a variety of sparrows and many more. Occasionally a Pheasant hen cackles in the field across the street from my house. Each has its own song to sing. Each one of us has a unique soul with its own song. Spirituality is an individual thing. You just have to know your own tune. Practice it from time to time and listen to those other birds singing. As you mature you will learn the harmony, even though there are all kinds of birds and songs.

The Feast of Columba, Patron of Scotland 2009

Gary Blaine