Did you know that all lands have guardians? Today, I’m sharing two encounters with these guardians. One was a novice, and the other were seasoned warriors.
An unexpected encounter with a guardian
8:30am, Wednesday, August 20th. Clusters of deep purple berries, hang heavily on the elderberry branches, weighing them down. I pick up a bunch to cut, and see the praying mantis. Gently, I release that cluster and turn up another one. No praying mantis. Snip, and into the brown bag it goes.
After picking berries and stashing them in the freezer, I return to my yard and stand in front of the large bush. The wet grass feels quite cool on my feet.
Eyes closed, I say a prayer, declaring my identity as a disciple of Christ, and my intention to talk with the bush. I ask the spirit if there is a particular questions I should ask the elderberry. Quietly, I hear, "Ask it why it's here."
Suddenly, a lanky young man pushes my shoulders, and I step back. "Why are you here?" He pushes again, and again, I take a step back. "Why are you picking berries from my bush?"
I calmly observe him, mentally noting that it is time for me to express my power in this situation. An older woman dressed in a long, white robe steps in front of me, pushing him aside. “Please forgive my son. He is still new to this guardian thing.” She speaks quickly, apologetically.
I smile at the woman. Her son sulks and gives me a disapproving look, eyebrows furrowed, as he walks away. His mother and I have a pleasant conversation. I learn that she is the guardian of this space, which includes many blocks in my neighborhood. She asks me to keep our yard more tidy by mowing more often.
The yard has been looking overgrown quite often this summer. We have had a lot of rain, and I have given myself additional work by starting a new 10 foot by 20 foot bed. It is currently overflowing with flowers and new hazelnut bushes, nestled against a 15 by 20 foot area already full of flowers, herbs, strawberries, and a new peach tree.
"Thank you for guarding this space," I tell her. She is a little taken aback. “No one's ever thanked me for being a guardian!”
A new guardian appears
I turn my attention back to the elderberry. Only 3 years old, it is 7 feet tall, flanked by two younger elderberry bushes and a small European elderberry. I pose the question I was given, "Why are you here?" The answer comes, immediately and quietly. "To protect you."
A male warrior steps forward. Formidable looking but not a threat to me, he stands about 6'5", wearing full armor and holding an axe on a staff as tall as he is. I can tell by his demeanor that he is wise. I notice that the spirit world around me has become quite busy. People are gathering to watch our interaction, and to talk with me.
The warrior comes to stand directly in front of me, gently placing his left hand on my shoulder. It feels lighter and softer than I anticipated, given his size. "You must eat less fruit, and stop eating wheat and so much meat. There are many who seek to destroy you, and this will make you stronger."
I have been given these instructions about wheat and meat before. Wheat is both literal and figurative, and meat is figurative. I clarify this with the warrior, and he confirms my understanding. Stop eating from the teachings of men. This is the wheat and the meat.
He adds, "Remember who you are as a warrior of light and love, and come directly to Christ. He will give you what you need."
My attention turns to all of those gathered around us. They are excited to see me, and I sense other warriors around me, keeping these spirits at a distance. "Please share our stories!" one says, as she pops her head up to be seen. Feeling excited and light-hearted, I laugh at the goodness of this experience. "Okay, I suppose it is time to get up earlier again." (Meetings with spirits most often happen at 3:30am.) The crowd chatters with excitement.
The warrior, his hand back at his side, smiles too. "You are doing very well. Do not worry about them. You will get to things in time." Satisfied, I open my eyes and walk through the wet grass back to the house.
Christ oversees all who assist us
All lands and all spaces have guardians. You, too, have guardians and helpers. All people do. The vast majority have no idea, of course, but they do exist. Christ is the true light and the way that guides our path as we journey through the darkness that is human existence. But there are many who are of him and who serve him in the spirit world who also assist us. This next encounter started off a bit more threatening than that lanky young man.
Guardians who fight evil
7:30am, Tuesday, July 7th. I'm at my dad's home in rural Wisconsin. Sitting on 35 acres of land, it will soon have a new owner. I'm here to help him pack and take some things back to our house. I realize that in all my visits, I have never talked with this land.
I head down the asphalt driveway toward the road. There’s a small hill to my left full of various bushes, flowers, and weeds. To my right, I pass lawn with intentional plantings. There are 5 apple trees and a large raised bed. The asphalt turns to gravel, crunching beneath my feet as I follow the driveway as it turns left.
Through scattered trees, I can see the main road on my right. Across from that, there is a large cornfield in a valley. I stop on the driveway, halfway to the bottom, and turn to my left to face the now steep hill.
After I pray, two guardians appear. They are fierce looking and dressed in armor. Wearing breast plates and carrying clubs, they're tall and broad. Tall as in 10 feet tall, and gruff. They acknowledge me and turn to walk away.
"Wait!" I call to the one closest to me. "Tell me your story. How did you get to be the guardians of this land?" He turns toward me like he's going to attack me, so I shine my light. Seeing my light, he gets teary with gratitude - for he is weary. "It is time," he says. "You are gathering."
Instead of attacking, he comes and sits, cross legged, in front of me. As he begins, I see the image unfold. "Years ago, there was fighting here on this land. They wanted to used it for development and other purposes. That must not be. This land is sacred and is for the animals."
He stands up and looks at me intently. "Go. This place is full of darkness. There is much that seeks to attack." He turns toward his companion, who is beckoning to him that they need to go. I see how weary he is, too. "Wait!" I say again. I speak a blessing on them to be strengthened in their work, and they head off.
The gathering of Israel
This is a time of gathering, as the warrior said. Jesus is gathering, is calling, to all who will listen. The world is getting darker, but that darkness is always accompanied by even more light. Will you invite and allow more light into your life? Will you help create a place, a space, that is inviting and sacred, wherever you may be? If you’re not sure where to start, or if the task feels overwhelming, the perfect place to start is with your own heart.
