The Olive Grove feat. my prayers during the Covid-19 pandemic

In the month where the earth trembled, and our hearts seemed to shake in our chests – in the very month where all that’s familiar was stripped away – there He offered rest.

At first, I felt guilty for experiencing such contentment and peace in the midst of a global tragedy for reasons that we blindly face every day like privilege, life stage, gender, or even age. But as I faced these conditions bluntly, I experienced the living sensation of Him breathing life (and release) over it all. Some things are not meant to be clutched so tightly; especially not at times like these. So, I released and allowed the rest to rinse over me like sweet streams of surrender.

If you know a bit about music, you will know the importance of a bassline. It grounds all the other instruments and it provides a steady rhythm that seems to pull the melody forward. Well, this month’s bassline came in the form of olive trees. Yes, you read that right. Everywhere I turned; there were olive trees planted in my mom’s garden, olive oil glistening over food, olives adding bright purple to the charcuterie board.

You can hear God wherever you expect to hear Him.

The strong olive wood offered structure in the midst of the storm. The shadows offered an almost-sanctuary to dwell in. The oil offered a kind of anointing. The dark silvery-green leaves and the white, feathery flowers offered a crown for my head instead of just worry. As I was metaphorically beholding this beautiful, bountiful olive plant again and again – it seemed like it became a filter.

Below you can find some of these offerings by the olive grove that I’ve penned down. I hope these comfort your tired eyes in some ways.

THE MIND – GARDEN

This is a time for clearing out weeds and for refining.

Soon, all the other plants in my mind garden were uprooted and I was sitting on the floor surrounded by all that used to be firmly planted. One by one each of these facets that I’ve spent so much time and energy on; that have grown so strong; were seriously weighed and then carefully discarded or replanted. Often when you actually come to stand still, you can look around and see what you didn’t notice before.

WHAT DO WE SAY ABOUT HIM / ABOUT US

This is a time for changing the dialogue.

I noticed how I speak to myself as I thought about lips being anointed. And so I came to learn about how I speak to Him. The realization hit me hard in the stomach that He is not just a listener and how we often hesitate to throw the ball to Him. God is singing songs over you as you worship Him. If He is always near; that means you are never alone. If He is above our problems; that means you are allowed to give over. If He is love; you are loved.

THE COSTLY PERFUME

This is a time for re-evaluating where your treasure lies.

In a time when financial stress dooms, I became once again confronted with how closely our Christian response to material things resemble minimalism. I was reminded of stewarding and the heart behind giving. I was surprised to see that something as expensive as oil is always used lavishly in offerings. ( Your very own alabaster jar will look different from mine.)

SONG: The Olive Grove – Stefanie Gritzinger