By Rev. Caitlin Childers Brown

Pastor and Minister of Service & Community

“Abba Poemen” by Yushi Nomura, from *Desert Wisdom*

March is when things begin to really feel alive again-I can see the burgeoning blooms of the azaleas waiting to show their full glory soon outside my office as I sit at my desk chair. The cherry blossoms seem to be on the verge of showing full color, just in time for their appropriately named festival. It's also the time that our schedules really come to fruition-whether it be in the church’s busy plans for Holy Week, or soccer games at our various schools, or just plain busy from the regular drum beat of our activities.

Throughout Lent, we have been considering how we might find our way to God. Ethan and I have been selecting words of wisdom from the desert Fathers throughout our newsletter articles this Lenten season. The book, Desert Wisdom by Yushi Nomura is full of delightful short pieces of wisdom with simple illustrations to make their points.

Each week, I find myself pausing at the image of Abba Poemen above as I have flipped through the book. Something about this wise respected leader stopping to look at the marvel of a caterpillar is precious and also silly. I think what stands out most is the humility in his posture: a man of self respect is laying on the ground, to marvel at a bug. How many times in our self importance do we walk right by something wonderful like the cherry blossoms or even a little caterpillar? I know I often march around in hopes of being more productive, but can walk right by the miracles of God right in front of my nose.

As we seek after God, the words of Abba Poemen ring true, we must strive after humility, and be slow to judge. We are to ask ourselves, who am I? With that kind of mindset, maybe you two will find yourself marveling at God’s goodness in a tiny caterpillar.