The Season of Renewal

For now, the church has lost me. Confirmed allegations of sexual abuse from a priest in my parish makes it impossible for me to attend. Fortunately, my bond with God is closer than ever. He is with me everywhere. I have claimed the outdoors as my cathedral.
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All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.

- Attributed to Cecil F. Alexander

For now, the church has lost me. Confirmed allegations of sexual abuse from a priest in my parish makes it impossible for me to attend. Fortunately, my bond with God is closer than ever. He is with me everywhere. I have claimed the outdoors as my cathedral. There's no argument that it's exquisite beauty has been fashioned by the Creator. Every bird, every tree has his signature on it. There is no dogma in nature and man never thinks of ways to improve it. The only thing to do under the great blue dome is to relax into its beauty.

Spring is a sign of renewal and rebirth. It's the counterpart to the reawakening of humanity. I am comforted that the darkness in the church is being rooted out. I still have hope that one day it will again feel like home to me. Until then, the beauty found in my own backyard refreshes my soul.

Text and images © Sue Shanahan. All rights reserved. www.sueshanahan.com

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