The Birchbark Letters

Early in the 13th century, a boy named Omfin, no more than 8 years old decided to practice his spelling.  He reached for his paper, a piece of birchbark, and began.  He made a list of his spelling words.  He drew a couple of figures, much like a boy today would scribble in the margin of his page.  He undoubtedly smiled as he finished his work, never knowing that one day his simple words and pictures would be so important.  He didn’t know anything about cultural history, archaic languages and such.  He simply wanted to communicate.

The beautiful birch tree has been sacred to native cultures from North America to Russia to Scandinavia for centuries. Its papery white bark was considered by Siberian craftsmen to be “the eighth wonder of the world”. Strong, pliable and durable, birchbark has been used to make canoes, wigwams, shoes, baskets, scrolls and letters. Its unique germicidal and preservative qualities make it useful for food storage. Harvested by Native Americans with respect and a prayer to the great spirit, birch bark has a soft, leathery feel that exerts a calming, healing influence on all who work with this amazing gift of nature.

So this is virtual birchbark.  A special medium for very special letters.  Letters about living from your heart.  Connecting with the Creator in His creation.  Learning and growing in the knowledge of the natural world God has made for us.  The goal is to NOT be a stranger to the outdoors.  The goal is to embrace God’s natural world.  I’d like to communicate.  I’ll reach for my birchbark.