How precious water is! Many people in Africa still draw water from a spring far away from home. Many countries including North Korea are suffering from serious drought.
Fortunately, by nature, about 70 percent of our land consists of mountains; so
we are still using water in abundance. The water in the valleys has been
diminished evidently due to global warming, but the water is still flowing in
plenty. When we turn on the faucet, we have immediate access to water.
We are so grateful because we can drink enough water whenever we need it and we
can use water for farming and industrial business.
When we don't water the garden regularly, the leaves are flattened and withered
up to the point of giving their lives away due to the lack of vitality and
photosynthesis. When we water the plants enough, the stems become straight and
lively to stand with dignity. Water truly gives life to every living creature.
Among various plants, mugwort draws my attention these days. The bitter mugwort
leaves are so good for our health that we can put them into soup; we can also
add them to flavor rice cakes. Moxa is used for cautery. Mugwort is so
germinant that the plants can grow in any place even without being watered
enough. You can dig them out, but they’ll still grow somewhere.
I notice its enduring vitality on a little rising ground where a tall zelkova
is standing in the center in front of a little hut for used goods and garbage.
Aside from turf, many mugwort plants were growing together. One day, I began to
pull them out with the intention to plant rose moss in their places.
What a surprise to see the twisted roots of mugworts! Because nobody watered in this area for many years, the mugwort plants seemed to survive by turning, bending, and twisting the roots here and there.
For plants, it is the root that retains the water sap to preserve the
marvelous energy to grow and sustain. When there is enough water, the root is
smooth and straight. When there is enough water, the roots can grow straight
because there is no need to make extra efforts to access water.
On the other hand, when there is not much water on the earth, the roots grow
smaller but become stronger with knots, turns, and twists. The shapes of the
roots tell their stories of growing over the years.
When circumstances are not favorable, the plants do their best to draw energy
and finally overcome the miserable situation. Unlike those plants growing in
the greenhouse, the wild plants in the field are more natural and sturdy.
Observing the inflexed roots of mugworts, I could feel the persevering power of
living beings. It would be the same with our human conditions. When our
background is not favorable, when the situation is twisted or knotted, we are
eager to go out in search of alternative paths.
In that situation, what do we need most? How can we become strong and sturdy
when the situation is troublesome and demanding? For us, Christians, the best
treasure attic in the shack would be “prayer in faith” which helps and inspires
us to recharge with amazing spiritual energy.
Thus, Jesus invites us to come nearer to him. “Come to me, all you who are
weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”(Mt 11:28)
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2019/05/162_269659.html
The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/ May
30 (online)/ May 31 (offline), 2019
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