Look at the birds...

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"
Matthew 6: 26-27

Jesus used these stunning words to encourage his listeners to look around them and learn from His creation. He knew that there was beauty and truth to be found, and a greater knowledge of the character of God. And it was this passage that I read out loud to Year 8 Loreto students as we sat in Clarence Park as part of their retreat day. I wanted them to spend time in nature, away from the demands of a classroom and unfettered by their smartphones. I wanted them to connect with each other, with nature, and hopefully even with something (or someone) bigger than themselves.

I confess it wasn’t my idea to run a retreat session outside, it was Chris’ suggestion, but as I pondered it, and worked through the logistics of how to make it happen, I realised it was too good an idea to pass up. So much of Jesus’ teaching took place outside, and so many of his stories, parables and teaching were based on looking at the world around him, Jesus instinctively knew that creation is good and that we all benefit when we spend time in it.

Science of course has now caught up with this idea, and many a wellbeing guru now espouses the benefits of being in nature. And with the weather forecast looking promising and the theme of my Year 8 retreat being iMatter, with the goal of helping students with their wellbeing, I realised taking the students into nature was exactly what was needed.

Each of the five Year 8 classes spent almost fifty minutes at Clarence Park. I had a few simple activities planned for them including a nature spotting tick list, a grounding exercise involving all five senses, and the suggestion to get crafty with leaves, twigs and flowers.

It was so rewarding to watch the students outside of the classroom. Some couldn’t stop themselves from running around, turning cartwheels and handstands and enjoying the wide-open space. Others sat in small clusters and made daisy chains, chatting quietly. Others diligently gathered leaves and twigs and created bug huts and 'nature sculptures' and some enjoyed walking round looking for sycamore trees, and magpies! I was amazed to see how much they relished being outside.

And as each session ended, I wrapped up by asking them to “check in” with how they were feeling having been outside. They said things like “happy”, “relaxed” and “chilled” . And it was then that I read them the passage above from Matthew’s gospel and invited them to ponder what Jesus was really meaning when he encouraged his listeners, then and now, to watch the birds. It really was the perfect way to end each session – it felt profound and meaningful – perhaps even a holy moment.

Amy