The Wisdom of Nature

Toxicodendron radicans, i.e., poison ivy

I love being in nature. There's so much to learn about life from spending time in it. 

This morning on my daily morning jog, I was joyfully celebrating my third day of summer vacation. I was listening to my favorite music with my Apple Beats in my ears, taking in all the sights and sounds that surrounded me. Tall trees, green grass, birds of all colors flying to and from, chipmunks, and squirrels scooting here and there. 

Taking in all the beauty, I noticed a lush green poison ivy vine, blending inconspicuously into its surroundings. It had grown beautifully up the trunk of a very large tree. How do I know it was poison ivy? Because I've been "poisoned" by it one too many times when I came in contact with the urushiol oil that is present on its stems, leaves, and roots to which I'm highly allergic. 

And I'm not the only one. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, so is 75-80 percent of the population! When we come into contact with this plant, we develop severe itching, redness, and swelling, followed by blisters. And for me, pure misery for about 2 weeks of my life.

The USDA says the first line of defense is to recognize the poison ivy and avoid it.

Getting back to the wisdom of nature. 

Like nature, our lives are filled with many great things; blessings of work, community, friends, and family. But like the poison ivy in nature, we must recognize and establish boundaries with people and things that cause harm in our lives, and either stay away from them or allow them to help us grow and mature in our faith.

Discernment between the two is key. Some of us who are just beginning our walk with God in this area may need to stay away from everything that causes us harm. Others who have been at this a while are able to recognize the poison ivy in their life, can respect the threat it imposes on us, not go near it, and are still able to enjoy their "nature jog in the woods." 

I'm recognizing that when I become emotionally triggered in my life, it is most often related to a negative experience I had in my childhood or early adulthood years. Knowing this, I can take a deep breath and let it go instead of taking it so personally. Later, in a more quiet place, I can reflect on the situation and reassure myself of who I am in Christ and how valuable I am in Him.

I'm also accepting that when people act rudely toward me and I am unaware of anything I have done to deserve such treatment, it is merely a reflection of what is in their own hearts and minds and I can pray for them, respond to them in a loving way and not allow myself to be brought into their negative space. 

Praise God for this realization! It is only because of His un-tiring love for me and His work of grace in my life that just as I am able to easily recognize the poison ivy plant, I also am able to interpret the meaning of my emotional triggers and discern what their messages are telling me to do.

Reflection:

Recognize that when anger, and defensiveness begin to rise up in you, an important message is being transmitted for you to decipher. Step back and evaluate it for what it is. Does a conversation need to be had? Is this situation or person hurting you? Do you need to leave? Or is this person hurting (within themselves) and do you need to pray for them, serve them, respond to them lovingly?     

https://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/htmlpubs/htm07672313/index.htm#:~:text=About%2070%20to%2085%20percent,to%20urushiol%20oil%20than%20others.