Be More Snail

On March 8th, we met at Minstead to consider our friends the gastropods, and what we might learn from their way of life. As it turns out, that was the last time we were able to meet face to face for a while, due to social distancing requirements in the coronavirus pandemic. I wonder how we might reflect on the themes we introduced then, in view of what we are experiencing now, only 3 weeks later? In red, I have added to our original themes some additional questions for reflection. We took three angles -

1. Make your home where you are 

2. Move slowly

3. Leave a trail of crystal behind you

1. Make your home where you are

A snail can withdraw into its shell to protect itself, and to hibernate. Imagine trying to carry our homes on our backs! What can we learn from snails about the nature of home?

In the first phase of our walk, we were invited to have a conversation with another about what it would be like if what we happened to have with us today were all we had, connecting in some tiny way with the experience of refugees. We reminded ourselves of Jesus' words – ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head’ (Matt 8, v. 20).

We are now in a phase of withdrawal into our shells to protect ourselves and those who are vulnerable in our society. David showed us a photo when we were together of snails, all hibernating in their shells, but located side by side in a crevasse. How is this enforced hibernation increasing our sense of connection to others who are hibernating?

2. Move slowly

We then spent some time moving slowly around a small area, seeking out some slugs and snails to observe. 

We were offered this poem from Rob Bell -

Walk, don’t run.
That’s it.
Walk, don’t run.
Slow down, breathe deeply,
and open your eyes because there’s
a whole world right here within this one. The bush doesn’t suddenly catch on fire, it’s been burning the whole time.
Moses is simply moving
slowly enough to see it. And when he does,
he takes off his sandals.
Not because
the ground has suddenly become holy,
but because he’s just now becoming aware that
the ground has been holy the whole time.
Efficiency is not God’s highest goal for your life,
neither is busyness,
or how many things you can get done in one day,
or speed, or even success.
But walking,
which leads to seeing,
now that’s something.
That’s the invitation for every one of us today,
and everyday, in every conversation, interaction,
event, and moment: to walk, not run. And in doing so,
to see a whole world right here within this one.

How are we using this opportunity to slow down? What might we be learning in the process? 'There's a whole world, right here, within this one' - how might we allow ourselves to see the 'holy ground' within our homes and relationships?

3. Leave a trail of crystal behind you 

The silver trail is a very special substance – it is not liquid, not solid, it is in fact a form of crystal – it protects the slug or snail from bacteria, and enables it to climb different surfaces. It is a means of communication – leaving messages for other gastropods. 

Our final phase was an invitation to reflect on what it is we leave behind us – not just when we die, but when we leave a space – how do we leave people feeling, do we think? What are the effects of our actions on other people? Even our desires to be helpful – what effect may they have on others? 

I don't think I am alone in hoping that there might be some long lasting positive effects on our communities and relationships from this sense of lockdown. However, there will also be grief, loss, and broken relationships. May we continue to look for ways to share Love, which will protect us and our loved ones from harm, enable us to navigate tough terrain, and communicate God's ongoing nature of care.