A Burning Hope
/The month of April brings controlled burnings of grassland in the Flint Hills of Kansas.
In April, pastures are set afire to turn weeds, dead grass, and invasive trees into ash. Those acres of ash turn into neon-green hills of baby grass within a few weeks. By May, the new grass is ready for cattle to begin their summer season of grazing.
As the third generation in a cattle-ranching family, I have watched this seasonal cycle for years. Every year, I’m touched by the metaphor of…
The old becomes new.
Old grass is burned, new grass has room to grow.
This tradition began with Native Americans brilliantly enticing bison to nutrient-rich new grass.
The annual ritual has endured hundreds of years as a way to provide cattle with better nutrition and avoid accidental widespread brush fires.
Burning looks like destruction as it is happening, but it is necessary for new growth.
Our religious traditions across the globe follow similar patterns. Holy days often celebrate overcoming destruction, exile, and persecution. We see this in the celebrations of Hanukah, Christmas, Eid, Purim, Passover, and Easter. In these holy days, we celebrate liberation, miracles of protection, reconstruction of temples, signs of new hope, and transcendence over death.
As we head into this week of Passover and Easter gatherings, may we each pause to appreciate and remember there is always hope, more is happening than we can see, and divine interventions occur beyond our comprehension.
And as humans in 2026, may we remember that when it feels like everything is on fire, miracles will occur. They always have.
Bluestem grass regrows in the Flint Hills because its roots run deep. There is a lesson for us in that too.
Double your time spent on anything that makes you feel rooted, grounded, and anchored in love.
Not only do those practices help you survive day to day, they lead to a powerful inner renewal that can contribute to the rise in the consciousness of humanity.
Things to think about this week:
What can you burn away that might be blocking your own growth?
What spiritual practices help you feel most rooted and anchored in love during turbulent times?
Where is the potential of new expansion for you this season?
May your Passover and Easter rituals bring you deep reflection, new possibilities, and a renewed connection to those you love.
Keep the faith and look for the miracles.
With lots of hope,
