On the Abbey Community property here in Caboolture, there are many beautiful tree, flowers, birds and butterflies. It is forever a reminder of the wonderful power of our Divine Creator and provides us with many moments where we are inspired by nature. Living in South East Queensland we do not have distinct seasonal changes as experienced in other parts of the world, this may be why we all love the seasonal display of the Liquidambar tree that grows in front of the Abbey Church. It has been the subject of many sermons and offers deep spiritual lessons and inspirations for our spiritual journey.
Nature Reflections
Here are some words penned by Fr George and Inspired by Nature and our beautiful Liquidambar tree.
‘I pause for a moment in the busy rush of life and stand under our beautiful liquidambar tree at the front of our church. It is letting go of its red leaves at this time of year, as it does each Winter, and for a short while it seems bereft and without life. And yet even now, if you look closely, you may see small tight buds on each twig, waiting for the right time, to burst into new leaf as the Creative Energy of the Creator surges upwards from the darkness towards the Light.
And I ponder on the Mystery of Life, shown so well by this beautiful tree. For we too, must go through our Seasons of Life, our Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, all teaching us important lessons on our journey “from Love back to Love”. And as I stood there by the tree, a strong South Westerly wind, swept by, shaking the branches, and more leaves floated to the ground. Letting go, so new life may emerge at the right time from those little red buds already there in waiting.
What an amazing lesson we can gain from standing under a tree! To learn to let go and trust that all will work out for the best. To know when to hold fast and when to let go. And mostly it seems that the difficult part is the letting go of things that would hold us back from experiencing the true freedom of Spirit. Of letting go of our needs to control our certainty that we are right, so others must be wrong. Of learning to be a child of the One whose true name is Love or perhaps remembering who we already are. That nothing can change God’s Love for us, whether we are still holding on to ego driven concepts or we have surrendered to Love.
May we find true peace in knowing we are one with Creation, one with God and that our true nature is only love, for that is what we really are.
Peace love and blessing,’ Fr George.
Pathways to Inspiration at the Abbey Community
The Abbey Community offers many pathways to inspiration. From services held in the Abbey Church to spiritual retreats and workshops. At a Quiet Garden reflection day, the facilitator encouraged participants to select a leaf from the garden, sit with it and write some inspirational words. Listen to the words and poem written and presented by Fr George.
