Shake It Baby [part 1]

Galatians 2:20 -- "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me..."

image: pollenator.com

The amazing and unique smell of damp earth mingled with the strong green fragrance of the new tomato plants I'd purchased at my local Publix. There is no smell like that which is carried in the botanical oils of the nightshade family, and in my humble opinion - fresh tomato leaves take the cake. In that plant there is also a one-of-a-kind beauty in the bright and happy little flowers that magically transform from blossom into tomato fruit. A wonderfully graceful courtship has to occur to each and every flower in order for tomatoes to grow. It takes my breath away as I inhale. It's simple, pure, and blissfully healthy for the soul.

From the screened in porch I am happy to sit for hours and watch the micro-life spring into action around the green that is the forest and the lush Saint Augustine grass in our back yard. It makes me smile when I hear the familiar buzzing. I've often thought of the sound as musical - but only recently I learned that the busy little bee IS actually playing music as she shakes the dickens out of the little would-be tomatoes. Her song is sung in one note - A.

image: phyteclub.org

Because that is what the tomato plant likes to "hear".

On this solitary frequency the little winged beauty shakes pollen from the small yellow flowers onto her abdomen - and as she leans into the blossom of the next sweet bud with which she flirts, she will share the tiny little particles of life-giving pollen she's collected. It is only in the transference that a flower can become a tomato. In that beautiful and humble musical note - life blooms.

It makes me pause and wonder if I'm on the right frequency. Does my song resonate on the one note that others need to hear in order to see Jesus? Or am I off key? I am reminded that my actions are no longer my own, really. They - with the rest of me - belong to Christ. Do I truly sing HIS song? Or am I throwing in some trills and frills that are not necessary? Even confusing?

image: sisu.typepad.com

Galatians phrases it so perfectly - self has been crucified with Christ and my life is no loner my own. Jesus is the only life in me. When I sing the right notes - HIS notes - life can be shared with others. And there, in the transference - seeds can be shared. Life blooms!