Autumn Rambles Day 5: Wood Piles!

Autumn Rambles is adapted and used with permission from an online resource from www.prayerbench.ca

Day Five: Wood Piles

I (Rev. Gail) grew up in suburban England and never had the opportunity to have a wood stove until I came to Canada. Now at the cottage I love to select wood and gather around a wood stove. When we have wood delivered, I love the smell of the freshly split wood, and although back breaking work, I even enjoy stacking it into a careful pile to last the winter. But there is an art of wood stacking. It fascinates me. Janice (from Prayer Bench_ recalls that some people bring their yard to life by piling the wood into intricate shapes, making pictures or mosaics using the colour of the woods in the pile, or creating clever or humorous designs.

This human creativity can extend to driftwood too. As you ramble today – perhaps along our beautiful Huron Shores, look for the unique shapes of sun-bleached driftwood, intricately knotted, and twisty with evocative shapes. Perhaps pick up a small piece to carry in your hand enjoying the weathered feel of its ancient sea journey. Perhaps a larger piece will come home with you to be shaped into a candle holder, to frame a mirror, to form a driftwood wreath.

We are creative beings made in the image of a creative God.

A scripture to ponder on:

“See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; he has filled him with divine spirit, with skill, intelligence, and knowledge in every kind of craft, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, in every kind of craft.” – Exodus 35:30-33

Spiritual Practice:

If you found a good piece of driftwood, here are some creative projects to try with driftwood: https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/transform-driftwood-into-home-decor-2879098

And if crafts aren’t your thing, perhaps splitting and stacking wood is something that you could do. Perhaps as the axe comes down, repeat the words:

“In you my God, I find my strength.”