Fungi intrigue me. It is such an exotic species. But, in many ways it is like all life, in that it needs decomposing organic material to survive; it is dependent on death. We enjoy the taste of fungus as it is piled on a juicy steak. I have heard that a small amount of certain fungus can kill when it is consumed. I have also heard of people enjoying mushrooms to reach a stellar high like no other. Fungi is a very sensitive organism, as certain species will only grow in just the right conditions during the right time of year. The Morel Mushroom is prized as a jewel because of its rarity and great taste. But even it, looks alien when compared to the average creature.

In any case, I enjoy the Fungi around me. As I see an ancient oak lay helplessly on the forest floor, it is refreshing to see nature use it for the good. The slimy salamanders burrow in the soil below it, the termites begin to sink their tiny teeth into its woody fiber, and my friend the fungi begins to proudly grow upon its decomposing bark.

As creatures of life, we look to death as the arch enemy. It is hated, ignored, masked over, and it is triumphed over. If you have enough money you can have enough surgeries to fool yourself and those around you into thinking you have infinite years ahead of you yet. What I see in nature is death being embraced. Rather than fleeing from the end of life, i have observed the wild around us running to it.

As the Lord of the Oak, fungus, termite, and salamander offers life in the midst of death to His faithful creature, so too He gives us a beautiful hope to rejoice in, even in the midst of things ceasing.

You, O Lord are our true joy.

You turn death into life, and sorrow into rejoicing.
Amen