Don’t miss out on your springs!

from Marta

It’s evening, almost dark and I’m taking my dog for a walk after a long day in the home office. Only now do I realize that apart from a small thank you to the cashier, from whom I quickly bought some photocopying paper, I haven’t said a word all day. I had been working alone, concentrating on my laptop. My heart became unbearably heavy with all the worries that accompanied me. Now it’s evening, the day is almost over, the village is quiet. I love going for a walk at this time of year. I spontaneously call a friend – why didn’t I think of this earlier? Talking to her, sharing my worries, makes my heart so much lighter. The streetlights are shining, apple trees, cherry trees, lilacs and magnolias are blooming everywhere.

“Look at the trees and learn a parable from them”
S.26

Great discussion on chapter 2 at Café Amelie (Deggendorf)

is written in Luke 21:29. The trees are at their most beautiful in spring, inviting you to marvel at them. “No one knows how many more springs he will experience, but he shouldn’t miss any of them,” – writes Martin Schleske in the second chapter of his book. I take a very close look at the trees. I am amazed. I am ready to learn. And what I learned today in a very practical way is the comforting thought that nobody has to be everything to themselves.

Just as the water rises from the roots to the leaves in the conduits of the wood, and just as the sugar sap in the outer bast layer descends from above to the roots, we must learn to be givers and takers, to be there for each other in our differences. That is the secret and the beauty of a community. The leaves need the roots, the roots need the leaves.

Nowadays it is very fashionable to strive for your own self-realization. But what we really need is a giving and receiving community and I am grateful to find such togetherness in the community. Only a faith that is prepared to go out of itself will find life. At the end of the day, I need nothing more than life, community and peace.