Dear Corinne,
Delighted to have your feedback on The Journey Through Lent – The Way of Watching. Interesting that you should ask about the Amaryllis, as I have just written a short visual reflection on it, for you! Lovely to hear about the amaryllis you have been growing too.
Reflection
Begin with a couple of minutes of stillness and silence, to let go of the things on your mind, and the events of the morning. Become aware of God’s presence with you.
Turn your attention to the photos of the amaryllis.
Observe as many details as you can. It’s colour, shape, size. It’s stem, petals and the supporting sticks. The ribbon tying the stem to the sticks. It’s container.
As you look, ask God what he is wanting to highlight to you through this picture? Take your time.
It is Spring and outside in gardens and parks, trees are blossoming and flowers are beginning to bloom. As you reflect on your life as it is now, as we move cautiously out of Lockdown, what signs of new life do you detect in yourself?
The sticks were added to the container to support the growing stem of the amaryllis and its large flowers as they came into bloom.
- What supports do you have in your life…..family, friends, colleagues, counsellor, mentor?
- You will notice in the first photo that there is a little stick that the amaryllis out grew!
- Have you ‘outgrown’ any of the supports in your life? Is it time to let go?
- Is there anything that you are ‘tied’ to, that you need to let go of? A habit, or attitude, or relationship, or situation?
- In the stillness talk to God about this and listen for his wisdom and guidance.
Now count the number of petals. Does anything strike you about the number? Think of the people in your life at present and assign each one to a petal and pray for them.
To close this time of reflection read these verses from Isaiah:
But the Lord says, “Do not cling to events of the past
or dwell on what happened long ago.
Watch for the new thing I am going to do.
It is happening already—you can see it now!
I will make a road through the wilderness
and give you streams of water there.
Let me know how you get on with this reflection. Hope your amaryllis continues to bring you joy!
with love,
