Pollinated Possibilities

Photo by Domina Petric on Unsplash

Each spring I look forward to the beginning of longer days, sunshine, warmer weather and the captivating scents of flowers blooming. The children in my neighborhood are permitted to stay outside a little longer, riding their bikes and trading secrets with giggles. I linger a little longer after work and enjoy exercising in the late afternoon with a walk, perhaps instead of my morning workout. A new way of being presents as an opportunity for a shift. Shortly before we begin to engage in a routine, we encounter pollen - what feels like the enemy of good. Pollen is a fine yellow-greenish powder produced by certain plants when they reproduce. The result is what we marvel at, yet the process to appreciate the end is riddled with a bit of challenge, so much so, we may choose to remain indoors.

Some people experience itchy and watery eyes, coughing, difficulty breathing and the inability to revel outside when pollen is at its peak. Others are simply annoyed that they find themselves, vehicles, outdoor furniture and the like covered with remnants of pollen. Wherever you find yourself on the continuum, while frustrating to endure, we know in our mind that the season of pollination carries two truths. First, it won’t last always and second, there will be creation following. If we elect to accept these truths and choose to apply them beyond the concept of pollen, we invite a shift in how we may accept the reality of “spring” and the possibilities of pollination in our lives. 

The pollen unfortunately is not the only element that has people in a haze. Over the last year, we’ve witnessed layoffs, the elimination of services, diminished resources and challenges in spaces like higher education, questioning the notion of free speech. Life as we’ve known it has impacted everyone, no matter what identity markers one holds, where they live, the extent to which they’ve been educated or employed. Whether in your household, your family, a neighbor, a coworker or a random person you exchange in casual conversation in the grocery store, in essence, we’ve all experienced the “coverage of pollen.” These are seemingly the realities of spring. However, no matter the difficulty, there are consequences that can err in our favor as we place our trust in the possibilities of our Creator. Many of us may lean toward Philippians 4:13 when we need a reminder to persist - “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” As we navigate uncertainty and disappointment and rage at conditions that don’t seem to care for the “least of these,” those whom our illustrious sorority embraces through our heart - our programs, we must engage our best ivy lean not only to this scriptural reference, but in addition to the one that precedes it. Philippians 4:12 in the Message affirms, “I know what it’s like to be in need; I know what it’s like to have more than enough. I’ve learned the secret of being content whether I’m full or hungry, whether I have plenty or not.” Not only that, but Paul wrote these words that we quote from prison. Paul knew and compels us in this moment to embrace the “possibilities of pollination” in our lives. Paul’s “knowing” is what allowed him to encourage others while his situation was unpleasant. He did not permit his current condition to cloud what could be done. As we lament about what we see happening around us, I wonder what ancestral wisdom we may engage to provide solace, inspire hope and activate the power and presence of God in the earth. How might we embody possibility when we see pain and suffering? I have a dear friend named Pastor Arlene Mitchell who says, “When we speak, creation happens!” In this season, it is imperative that we choose our words and find ways to encourage, affirm and “create,” in a similar fashion to the pollination process. Although challenging, now is not the time to stay inside. A hurting world needs our voice, our hands, our movement in the earth. We must power through the pollen to the possibilities that we’ve been granted to actualize. Carry the possibilities of hope like the insects to every organism the Lord allows. Assume the beauty of this season, finding ways to locally impact your community. We can and should continue to cry out to God while moving in the earth with the authority He’s granted - through us - to do good work, even greater works. Sis, come outside. God walks with us, as we must walk with one another - in season and out of season; in pollen and possibilities.