NATURE PROVIDES THE PERFECT SANCTUARY

This is the time of year when I have a love/hate relationship with my garden. I hate the overwhelming task of pulling weeds, trimming bushes, and gathering dead leaves. It is back breaking and hard work. My hands cramp, I sweat, and it’s guaranteed that I will be sore and stiff for days to follow. But on the other hand, I love the end result. After many hours of toil and trouble, I can sit on the deck and enjoy the blooming plants, watch the bees and butterflies flitting from one blossom to the next, and listen to the sounds of wind chimes tinkling in the breeze. If I could sketch Heaven on earth, this would be the picture.


I am more myself in my garden that anyplace else on earth. I’m dressed for the occasion with a big, old tee shirt and shorts, no makeup, hair pulled back in a ponytail, and I smell as bad as I look. It would be a crying shame to stick in ear buds with music pulsing through my body so that is not an option. To do so would defile the tranquil environment I have created and anyways, my 60's music is reserved for listening in my car. So, it’s just me and the peace and quiet of my little garden.


It is on my knees with my hands digging in the dirt that I have contemplated the condition of the world or situations at work. I have spent many hours thinking about my family, a difficult situation a friend is dealing with, or a problem I’m trying to solve. And on many occasions, God and I have had some interesting conversations. There was a time many years ago, my heart was heavy with concern for one of my daughters. As I was digging in the dirt, the Lord spoke to me as clear as a bell about the situation. I responded out loud, "Lord, no. Can’t do it. No way." And again, deep in my soul, He repeated the words exactly as the first time. It was one of the most riveting experiences in my life and it happened in the garden.


Today, I count it a blessing to have the strength and desire to physically get on my hands and knees and tend to God’s creation. The rewards I receive are far greater than what I expend in time and energy. I thank God that He placed in me a passion for nature and spending time outdoors.
Song of Solomon 2:11-13, is beautiful poetry written by a man to his lover. I like to think of it as God’s poetry, written just for me.


"For behold, the winter is past,
The rain is over and gone.
The flowers have already appeared in the land;
the time has arrived for pruning the vines,
And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land.
The fig tree has ripened its figs,
And the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance.
Arise, my darling, my beautiful one,
And come along!"