Hello Brethren, it is hard to believe that we are into July already. The lockdown does not seem to have slowed down the passage of time as 
another year zooms by.
another year zooms by.July is a wonderful summer month for seeing the beauty and glory of colours in a garden. George Bernard Shaw said, “The best place to seek God is in a garden. You can dig for him there.”
Shaw’s religious path was a complex one. As a young man he was an atheist but later embraced the teachings of Jesus from the New Testament while still wary of the vengeful Jehovah of the Old Testament. He aligned himself with being a mystic later in life.
His observation of potentially finding God in a garden rings true with me. But I don’t think you need to dig for him. He is all around us in a garden. We can behold his works as the bees, butterflies and other insects fly and scurry about their business. We can see God’s beauty in the colours of the flowers and plants in their summer splendour. But seeing God in a garden isn’t just an experience in summer. The seasons show the plants and trees begin to age as we come to autumn and then die off over the winter months. Spring then brings us the miracle of birth and regrowth. Colours peep up with snow drops and crocuses and then daffodils leading us into another summer.
The pollination of the plants shows us how God provides for us. Without it we would not eat. We rely on the plants for our food and for those of us who are not vegetarian or vegan the plants that the cattle, sheep and other animals need to sustain them.
My wife has built three raised beds, one for flowers, one for herbs and one for veg. She has shown me the wonder of taking last year’s seeds and planting them to produce this year’s flowers and vegetables. I am amazed at how quickly things can grow. She planted various vegetables seeds in the latest raised bed on the 1st of July and within a week the growth was coming up and is now very evident after only 9 days: one of God’s miracles which we can all see for ourselves in a garden or park or allotment.
If like me you are lucky enough to have a garden, enjoy it. If not you are now allowed to get out and about so go and visit a park or another peaceful place with plants and flowers. Look at it with fresh eyes and I certainly think you will get a glimpse of God
I hope you are well and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. It may be a long time until we can meet again at a Masonic Lodge but I hope you are seeing things improve socially with friends and family. A few weeks ago I posted a message saying I hope you are getting the support you need. If not let me, or a member of your Lodge, or of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire West know and we will see what we can do to help. That offer still stands if you need support or someone to talk to.
Last time I said Love Thy Neighbour this time I’ll add Love a garden or park where you can enjoy God’s glory.
Your Chaplain,
George