This past weekend my wife and I flew up to SW Michigan to attend our son's graduation. The trip went well, and he was "thoroughly graduated." During our trip, several events occurred which, to me, seemed to be linked together spiritually.
The school he attended has an agriculture program, with orchards, dairy, and stuff l
ike that. Interspersed on the grounds are woodlots linked together by small valleys, gullies, and tree-lined fence-rows. There are walking paths throughout, and Monday afternoon my son and I went for an hour's walk. It was a beautiful day; the trees are about three weeks behind where I live, and the wild flowers are just coming on, also. As we walked, my son asked about various plants we saw. He knew I used to teach sys
tematic botany, and thought I might know some of the plants.
Af
ter a short while he expressed his amazement at the fact that I was able to name so many of the plants, especially in light of the fact that I've not had a scientific thought for the past twelve years or so. I explained that I had grown up learning to identify wild flowering plants, and tried to know them well enough that whenever I saw them in the woods, I would be seei
ng them as old friends. Many of the spring flowers in Michigan are found from Massachusetts to Washington State (both places where I've taught systematic botany), so I did, in fact, meet many old acquaintances. It was an enjoyable experience. Having said that, I must admit that if someone picked me up and dropped me into a forest in South America, or Africa, or Australia, I probably wouldn't know "anyone." I might see some similarities in a few plants, some vague resemblances, but for the most part, the plants would be strangers.
In the scriptures, Christ tells of a group of people who would come to Him at His second coming, pointing to their many works. I can see Him in my mind's eye, saying, "Those works sort of resemble those of my friends, but I don't know you. Sorry."
When our flight ho
me arrived in Nashville, we were 20 minutes early. ("A miracle!" you say. Perhaps, maybe even worthy of its own blog posting in due time). Our early arrival was not due to any action on the part of the folks on the ground at the Nashville airport, but it was their activity on our getting there that caught my attention . The folks with the little orange sticks knew we were coming, and they were there to guide us into our gate. The folks with their little carts knew we were coming and were there to receive our luggage. The folks that run the jetport knew we were coming, but had made no preparation for us to come so soon. So we sat there for about ten minutes until someone was found to move the jetport about four feet so we could deplane. Just knowing we were coming wasn't enough.
Again, Christ told a story. This time, ten virgins had gone out to meet the bridegroom. They all knew he
was coming. Some made the proper preparations, others didn't. So when the cry went out that the bridegroom was arriving, five had to scurry off to finish preparation; while they were gone the bridegroom entered in, and the door was closed. When the five finally came to the door, they were refused entrance. Not because they'd fallen asleep. Not even, directly, because they'd run out of oil. Again, the bridegroom said, "I don't know you."
I'm convinced that Christ is returning soon. I don't know all there is to know about it, but I know He is coming. And I want to go home with Him. The key to my going appears to be the necessity of knowing Him and Him knowing me. Do I know Him as well as I do my flowers? Do I spend as much time studying Him, getting to know Him, as well as I do my birds? If I really love Him, I will want to know as much about Him as I can. Won't you join me?
How many of the flowers shown above can you identify? Let me know by sending me a comment.
Even more important, how well can you identify the bottom picture?
Have a great day! -- Dr G
The school he attended has an agriculture program, with orchards, dairy, and stuff l
ike that. Interspersed on the grounds are woodlots linked together by small valleys, gullies, and tree-lined fence-rows. There are walking paths throughout, and Monday afternoon my son and I went for an hour's walk. It was a beautiful day; the trees are about three weeks behind where I live, and the wild flowers are just coming on, also. As we walked, my son asked about various plants we saw. He knew I used to teach sys
tematic botany, and thought I might know some of the plants.Af
ter a short while he expressed his amazement at the fact that I was able to name so many of the plants, especially in light of the fact that I've not had a scientific thought for the past twelve years or so. I explained that I had grown up learning to identify wild flowering plants, and tried to know them well enough that whenever I saw them in the woods, I would be seei
ng them as old friends. Many of the spring flowers in Michigan are found from Massachusetts to Washington State (both places where I've taught systematic botany), so I did, in fact, meet many old acquaintances. It was an enjoyable experience. Having said that, I must admit that if someone picked me up and dropped me into a forest in South America, or Africa, or Australia, I probably wouldn't know "anyone." I might see some similarities in a few plants, some vague resemblances, but for the most part, the plants would be strangers.In the scriptures, Christ tells of a group of people who would come to Him at His second coming, pointing to their many works. I can see Him in my mind's eye, saying, "Those works sort of resemble those of my friends, but I don't know you. Sorry."
When our flight ho
me arrived in Nashville, we were 20 minutes early. ("A miracle!" you say. Perhaps, maybe even worthy of its own blog posting in due time). Our early arrival was not due to any action on the part of the folks on the ground at the Nashville airport, but it was their activity on our getting there that caught my attention . The folks with the little orange sticks knew we were coming, and they were there to guide us into our gate. The folks with their little carts knew we were coming and were there to receive our luggage. The folks that run the jetport knew we were coming, but had made no preparation for us to come so soon. So we sat there for about ten minutes until someone was found to move the jetport about four feet so we could deplane. Just knowing we were coming wasn't enough.Again, Christ told a story. This time, ten virgins had gone out to meet the bridegroom. They all knew he
was coming. Some made the proper preparations, others didn't. So when the cry went out that the bridegroom was arriving, five had to scurry off to finish preparation; while they were gone the bridegroom entered in, and the door was closed. When the five finally came to the door, they were refused entrance. Not because they'd fallen asleep. Not even, directly, because they'd run out of oil. Again, the bridegroom said, "I don't know you."I'm convinced that Christ is returning soon. I don't know all there is to know about it, but I know He is coming. And I want to go home with Him. The key to my going appears to be the necessity of knowing Him and Him knowing me. Do I know Him as well as I do my flowers? Do I spend as much time studying Him, getting to know Him, as well as I do my birds? If I really love Him, I will want to know as much about Him as I can. Won't you join me?
How many of the flowers shown above can you identify? Let me know by sending me a comment.
Even more important, how well can you identify the bottom picture?
Have a great day! -- Dr G
2 comments:
Hm. Well, there's yellow violet, white trillium, wild ginger, dutchman's breeches, and I don't remember the little pink ones.. Ah well, very nice all the same. You've inspired me to take another walk out there. I am a little disappointed not to see jack-in-the-pulpits though - they are still my favorite!
Look again!
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