Dear Friends,

I’m trying not to use the back door of our house. Two weeks ago, while out on the back patio, I heard a rustling in the overgrown plants of our tiny herb garden. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a duck suddenly appear and waddle out from the middle of it. She looked at me, did not seem too alarmed, but then quietly headed around the corner. Looking closely at the garden, I discovered a nest with three eggs. Someone had made a home while we were on vacation.

Alas, my presence must have scared her off. She did not return. But then, about a week ago, there she was back in the nest, probably having laid some new eggs. She is determined, and has not let anything disturb her now. I occasionally forget she is there and go crashing out the back door. it looks though, as if she knows the human movement around her will cause her and her future ducklings no harm.

It is an unlikely place for new life, this little garden that is separated by a busy road from the nearest river and lake. But then why, in the season of Easter, should I be surprised by life bursting forth in unlikely places?

We are now midway through Easter, and the jubilant proclamation of Easter morning invites us to pay attention throughout the fifty days of this season. Pay attention to where you hear some rustling, or notice unexpected movements in the gardens around you.  Pay attention to places where there has been death or despair or no sign of life. Pay attention to where Christ is bringing new life. Often, it will appear in the places and persons we least expect.

Last Sunday, we concluded our worship at 10 am by singing Brian Wren’s Easter hymn, “Christ is Alive.” The last stanza aptly sums up  for me the joy and promise of these days between Easter and Pentecost, as we discern Christ’s work in our midst:

Christ is alive!
His Spirit burns
through this and every future age,
till all creation lives and learns
his joy, his justice, love and praise.

May you be surprised by some rustling in the garden.

Faithfully,

Tom