Dear Friends,
My daughter’s imagination was sparked when she saw a woven chair hammock in visiting Mexico. We brought that large item back with us and, once it was home, Rachel took it and put it up into our grapefruit tree. It didn’t hang down like a swing. Instead, it was wedged in among the leaves, providing her a place to retreat. She couldn’t bring stuff–it wasn’t a tree house. But she sat there quite a bit, still, as birds flitted about the yard. I could hear her voice talking, creating characters, and stories. It was a place she could let her imagination run free.
Now that she is an adult, she doesn’t sit in trees anymore. Well, living in an apartment, she doesn’t really have one that is her own. But, when we are walking together, we still like to point out to one another–look there is a great tree to climb and sit in!
Go outside today. Since you probably can’t climb a tree, sit under one, and look up into the leaves dappled with sunlight. And, there, let your imagination start a story of its own. One day, (your name), was sitting under a tree when Jesus arrived. And, then, what happened?
What story will you tell?
Love,
Heather

Reverend Heather DeVoe Miner, M.Div
Rev. Heather served as the pastor at NLBCC until 2022. She continues to spread the loving and inclusive message of Christ, serving a church in Boise, Idaho.