I have loved words ever since I learned what they could make happen. “Cheese” could make my mother put a floppy square of it in front of me. “Woof” could make the dog wag his tail. “Out” could make the kitchen door open to the swing set in the backyard. This was a lot of power for a child just learning the connection between words and the world.
As I read this, I was reminded of the beautiful book by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris, "The Lost Words". I highly recommend it. Here is a partial explanation:
"The book began as a response to the removal of everyday nature words - among them "acorn", "bluebell", "kingfisher" and "wren" - from a widely used children’s dictionary, because those words were not being used enough by children to merit inclusion. But The Lost Words then grew to become a much broader protest at the loss of the natural world around us, as well as a celebration of the creatures and plants with which we share our lives, in all their wonderful, characterful glory."
It was a delight to meet you at the Festival of Faith & Writing, and your plenary address reminded me, again, of the power of specificity, of naming, of honoring the thing that the name points to by being particular. Thank you for the gazillion ways you inspire and encourage and empower. Ever grateful!
A lady in Bible study was lamenting that she could not get her adult daughter to come to church with her. She had told her she needed to learn the fear of the Lord. In my head, not out loud, I thought, maybe another word would help, like love.
Now I’m going to the mailbox to mail letters, then I have an appointment with a leaf in my backyard pollinator garden.
The fear of the Lord that I learned in my childhood church sent me, at Mach speed, as far from the Church as I could get as soon as I left home for college Twenty years went by until I found a church where you didn’t have to check your intelligence at the door; we had guest preachers and lecturers who included Fred Buechner, Walter Brueggemann and others. It changed my life.
“Even if it doesn’t have a body, where do you feel it in yours?” What a wonderful, vital question. Reading this just now, as we’re keeping vigil for my sister, along with Hospice help, carried my perspective back to the gift of our natural world. Thank you!
As a child of a city, I was certain I knew what "harvest" means. Then I was the minister for 2 rural "farm churches" in Iowa. "Harvest" is so huge and gorgeous and hard and worthwhile and HOLY. It is the difference between life and death. It brings the whole community together and breaks individuals. It is certain and it is vulnerable. It depends on so many out of our control things -rain, temperatures, bugs, elevation, foxes, deer, seed quality, patents, machinery breakdowns and legal class action suits.
As I read this I thought of the wild thistle blooms that I picked from my yard today. We are in the middle of a drought and cannot water our lawn so it looks very sad. But we had two days of rain and when I took the dog for a walk I spotted these purple pink thistles. I decided to cut some for a vase inside. The leaves are prickly indeed! So, your beautiful words reminded me that all words are not the same. Some are prickly and you have to be gentle with them if you want to get to their beauty.
thank you :-) for giving words to my thoughts. I have always spoken to trees, birds, butterfly' and all created things. I can not access their world only acknowledge it. We share the same Creator.
What a delight/affirmation to read ‘Really Real’ here. I’ve used that expression trying- and failing- to describe ‘true’’ things in life- reflections of the Divine and of love. I love the idea of introducing myself to a leaf - and other things in our natural world.
I’m going to reflect on ‘naming’ as an attempt to ‘owning.’
Beautiful words to ponder-you and Richard Rohr-two of my favorite people ❤️
As I read this, I was reminded of the beautiful book by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris, "The Lost Words". I highly recommend it. Here is a partial explanation:
"The book began as a response to the removal of everyday nature words - among them "acorn", "bluebell", "kingfisher" and "wren" - from a widely used children’s dictionary, because those words were not being used enough by children to merit inclusion. But The Lost Words then grew to become a much broader protest at the loss of the natural world around us, as well as a celebration of the creatures and plants with which we share our lives, in all their wonderful, characterful glory."
https://www.thelostwords.org/lostwordsbook/
I love his work. Have you read his new one, "Is a River Alive?"
I have not, but I do also have his "the lost spells" which is just as lovely. I'll have to add your suggestion to my shelves.
thank you
Now I am enthralled. These be books are divine. I’m hoping to purchase a few.
I am hoping to buy “The Lost Spells” (i.e. poems). After looking at the books on their website, they’re gorgeous.
Moss— as I head on for my morning spring hike with my dog. Soft. Quiet. Calm. Peaceful. Just the word ‘moss’ … almost needing to be whispered.
Not yet—but soon. Some writers don’t get to read as much as we’d like!
It was a delight to meet you at the Festival of Faith & Writing, and your plenary address reminded me, again, of the power of specificity, of naming, of honoring the thing that the name points to by being particular. Thank you for the gazillion ways you inspire and encourage and empower. Ever grateful!
When you find yourself in real presence … there simply are no words.
So very true!
A lady in Bible study was lamenting that she could not get her adult daughter to come to church with her. She had told her she needed to learn the fear of the Lord. In my head, not out loud, I thought, maybe another word would help, like love.
Now I’m going to the mailbox to mail letters, then I have an appointment with a leaf in my backyard pollinator garden.
The fear of the Lord that I learned in my childhood church sent me, at Mach speed, as far from the Church as I could get as soon as I left home for college Twenty years went by until I found a church where you didn’t have to check your intelligence at the door; we had guest preachers and lecturers who included Fred Buechner, Walter Brueggemann and others. It changed my life.
“Even if it doesn’t have a body, where do you feel it in yours?” What a wonderful, vital question. Reading this just now, as we’re keeping vigil for my sister, along with Hospice help, carried my perspective back to the gift of our natural world. Thank you!
I am so happy about the way you closed this piece with an instruction and I can't wait to practice!
As a child of a city, I was certain I knew what "harvest" means. Then I was the minister for 2 rural "farm churches" in Iowa. "Harvest" is so huge and gorgeous and hard and worthwhile and HOLY. It is the difference between life and death. It brings the whole community together and breaks individuals. It is certain and it is vulnerable. It depends on so many out of our control things -rain, temperatures, bugs, elevation, foxes, deer, seed quality, patents, machinery breakdowns and legal class action suits.
I love the way you open up a whole new world by introducing the concept of sitting with a word and its meanings.
Our WBS is studying your book m "Learning to Walk in the Dark". Powerful stuff! A whole new way of embracing the Darkness and all that it teaches us.
Thank you for your insights and wisdom that you share. And for quoting another of my favorite authors, Richard Rohr.
As I read this I thought of the wild thistle blooms that I picked from my yard today. We are in the middle of a drought and cannot water our lawn so it looks very sad. But we had two days of rain and when I took the dog for a walk I spotted these purple pink thistles. I decided to cut some for a vase inside. The leaves are prickly indeed! So, your beautiful words reminded me that all words are not the same. Some are prickly and you have to be gentle with them if you want to get to their beauty.
Thank you for turning me around with your transformational words. I cannot remember using the word "holy" except singing on Sundays. I choose "holy".
The wisdom of 25 centuries continues…
“Listening not to me but to the logos, it is wise to agree that all things are one.” Heraclitus
thank you :-) for giving words to my thoughts. I have always spoken to trees, birds, butterfly' and all created things. I can not access their world only acknowledge it. We share the same Creator.
What a delight/affirmation to read ‘Really Real’ here. I’ve used that expression trying- and failing- to describe ‘true’’ things in life- reflections of the Divine and of love. I love the idea of introducing myself to a leaf - and other things in our natural world.
I’m going to reflect on ‘naming’ as an attempt to ‘owning.’
Thanks for sharing with us.
Great quote from Richard Recently Rohr! Gotta save that one!