Following in the footsteps of Heather

I visited the island of Iona, Scotland a number of years ago. Each day, I would venture out on meditative walks. The paths were not always easy to see, and every once in a while I would take a step and my shoe would just disappear into the boggy ground. I would pull it back up wet and muddy. I thought this was just how you hike in Scotland…with wet and muddy shoes.

Yet, a few days in, I hired a local resident to take me around and teach me about the island’s history and peoples – from humans, to wildlife, geology, and plants. One thing he said forever changed how I hiked around the island. He said, “When you walk…follow the Heather.” So, I took a picture of Heather to remember what it looked like (see image above). He explained that Heather likes “dry feet” (i.e…drier soil for their roots), so Heather shows you where to step when you walk in the boggy turf of the Scottish Hebrides.

What in the world, the nation, the church, your community…is bogging you down?

Maybe navigating current immigration policy is part of your daily pilgrimage. Maybe your church closed this past year, or you see it as inevitable. Some 15,000 churches closed their doors in 2025 – many doing church well, faithfully, and vibrantly in their communities. Has religion passed some obsolete tipping point? The EPA’s 180 degree flip on the Endangerment Finding (that burning fossil fuels diminishes life for people and planet) weighs heavy on me. I feel so intertwined in a disconnected way of living in the consuming-oriented world. Mother Teresa’s words come to mind as I find my footing in this climate family moment…“we can not all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” This is why I started beekeeping a couple years ago.

Heather continues to be my mentor in how to walk this boggy world alongside others.

Heather lives like it has taken the Sermon on the Mount to heart. Blessed are the peace(way) makers. Blessed are the meek. Blessed are the pure in heart. Blessed are the merciful. I wonder if Jesus was looking at the flora around him as he gave those words to his disciples. What plants of ancient Palestine like dry feet and boldly proclaim with their lives where one can safely stand without sinking? At a retreat many moons ago, preaching professor Barbara Lundblad of Yale Divinity School said, “If you can provide everyone in earshot of your sermon a place to stand…you’ve preached good news.” This has always been a challenge, but feels increasingly more difficult to do.

Yet, Heather has taught me ways of walking with family, friends, and strangers through boggy things and topics. For me, WONDER is Heather. It seems like the gift of wonder rarely leaves us as we get older. Wonder and dwelling in mystery with others is how I wade into boggy and important things. CURIOSITY is also Heather to me. I think our human neighbor just wants people to SEE him/her/them as beloved and belonging…not red or blue…or Christian and Muslim…or…whatever. I firmly believe our plant, tree, bird, river, mountain, and jet stream neighbors also wish to be SEEN and VALUED in this same way.

So, what is the Heather that guides your footsteps these days?

Yes…Jesus and his ministry and life (for Christians)…but wonder more widely with your eyes wide open around you…as Jesus and the love of God is in all things that give life to the world we share in.

May God grace your every step.

In Wonder, Harold