In The Garden
The first rays of the morning sun roused me from a deep sleep. Rolling over and using my pillow as a shield from the early morning intruder, I was determined to get more sleep. But the unyielding light had already stirred my consciousness. My garden! Yes, that’s right. I remember now, I had planted my first Arizona vegetable garden. Suddenly fully awake and grabbing my robe, I’m halfway out the door before my shoes are secure on my eager feet. In only a few minutes I’m sitting in my garden filled with anticipation.
The coolness of the morning breeze causes me to draw my robe closer around me. But the warmth of the rising sun makes me smile, close my eyes and sing my favorite hymn.
I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses.
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses.
I’m sitting in my mother’s weather-worn wicker swing sinking down in the cozy pillows which somehow still carry her scent. My mother has been in her heavenly home for many years now. She’s seeing gardens of perfection that thrill the soul to heights we’ve never known on this earth. But this morning somehow I sense, she’s enjoying my little garden with me. With many memories rushing through my soul, I sink deeper into the cushion and breathe deeply. I can smell the rosemary as my foot gently touches it as I swing back and forth. With only a slight movement of my feet, I enjoy a new fragrance. Basil so strong and bold and then there’s spearmint ready to adorn my morning tea. I can taste breakfast already. Eggs with tomato and basil washed down with raspberry tea that is accented with a sprig of mint. Be still my stomach, it’s not time to leave our garden yet.
The swing hangs from a grape arbor my husband lovingly built with his hands as an ideal birthday present for me. Every nail driven into each rustic beam tells me he knows how much I enjoy life-giving plants and how my senses are aroused with the touch of each leaf, the fragrance of each blossom, and the taste of the harvest. There are several clusters of grapes hanging above my head. They are so tiny it reminds me of a baby in the womb who is so intricately perfect in every detail yet delicately minute in size. Amazing how from a gnarly root comes such beauty and sweetness. My head and beloved swing are covered and protected by a canopy of God’s living goodness.
Directly before me are four rows of sweet corn that serve as the dominant force in this garden. Each stalk is tall and proud like soldiers in a parade. They sway to and fro in the gentle morning breeze. A motion that assures me they are alive and marching toward me bringing in their arms a rich harvest of delectable corn. The drum beat is provided by the horses and cows in the nearby corral. Each animal is steadily munching and munching even more with a rhythm that soothes the heart and the soul. The birds are providing the accompanying melody. Their tweets, whistles, and caws create an interesting symphony rivaling that of Mozart or Beethoven. Listen carefully as God’s creations praise Him, yet that is not the voice we’re waiting for. Be still, my soul. He will come.
To the right of my band of corn-carrying soldiers with the yellow rooster’s poufs upon their heads, I see mysterious mounds of large green leaves. Each leaf is hiding a treasure for those daring enough to lift that green lid and peer inside. Zucchini, cucumbers, and squash are a delightful discovery for any adventurous gardener. Those long cylinder shapes of green and yellow will provide our family and friends with many tasty meals. But often among our greatest treasures we will find hidden dangers. I have been warned that rattlesnakes often like to hide under the green leaves and enjoy the moist warm earth beneath. We’ve learned from the beginning of time to be cautious of predators who like to enter our gardens and bring destruction. But the only snake in this garden is lying within my reach. A green rubber hose meanders through the rows of garden plants with his head poking over the brick wall of the herb garden. He seems to be lurking about hoping for a ripened strawberry to come within his reach. Garden hoses may have an eerie resemblance to those wickedly dangerous creatures called snakes for those who do not know the truth. But I know that I have the power over them their desires to harm. The master of the garden controls the water valve and holds the handle to direct its flow. In the same way, the Master of the Universe controls the beasts of the earth and of the spirit realm. No snake can come near unless it is in the strong and loving hands of God who will control the direction and the force of its flow. Ah, breathe deep and relax into the Gardener’s hands.
The sun is getting warmer now and my robe dangles playfully off the swing. There it catches the summer blooms of pansies, marigolds, and peonies much like children playing tag in the fields. What a delight to look into the delicate face of an open blossom and see the Creator’s canvas of marvelous colors and spectacular design. A sudden strong breeze blows across my face and seems to twirl like a small tornado before me. The smells are flowing and mixing together until I am unable to separate one from another. Then just as suddenly as it comes, it travels off to the left to visit others who dare to be up this early.
To my left are the rows of plants that will require laborious effort to harvest. The tomatoes, peas and beans will need to be staked and pruned regularly to keep their fruit to its riches favor. Radishes, onions, carrots and potatoes will most likely create a few sore muscles as we’ll be required to dig deep to harvest their wealth. As I look at these rows of green lined up on my left they appear to be crowned in the last row with red glory as the ripe tomatoes fill each plant. I am so tempted to run from my perch and take for myself a prize. I can almost taste the juicy sweetness as it would explode in my mouth with each bite. But wait, we’re here for Him. Don’t rush, the rewards come with Him.
Finally hidden in the farthest corner I see a tangled weave of green vines growing across the ground. That is our dessert. The sweetest of treats that anyone could hope to enjoy. Imagine that something grown from the ground mixed with manure could delight the taste buds and bring joy to the young and old at the same time. Watermelons are this gardener’s greatest achievement. The memories of many summer nights surrounded by neighbors and loved ones, spitting seeds and sticky faces fill my mind. I bury my face into a pillow and laugh aloud.
He speaks and the sound of His voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing.
And the melody that He gave to me within my heart is ringing.
The birds stop singing, the horses cease to munch or even to move, the breeze stands still and the plants seem to bow down, I suddenly stop swinging and my heart is set aflame with passion. He is here, with me.
And He walks with me and He talks with me.
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
The earth seems to stand still as joy is at its fullest. My heart is so overwhelmed. At this moment in time I am complete. I allow of sob to escape from my throat and it startles me, my eyes open.
I look around and am faced with a Cinderella-like reality before me. My swaying swing is still the unsteady pile of unused bricks left over from the construction of the herb garden. The arbor is a pile of wood waiting for my husband to find the time to attend to its construction. There are only a few plants struggling to adjust to their new homes but no sign of any harvest in sight. Mostly before me I see furrowed rows of brown dirt. Not one sign of those future soldiers, mysterious green lids, laborious plants, and delectable desserts. Reality shows me nothing but brown dirt.
Am I disappointed that the reality of what my eyes see while open is far different from what I see with them closed? Not this day. For this day I met with Him in my garden. He showed me how to see with his eyes and that requires knowing how to walk in His faith.
It’s time to leave now. My growling stomach tells me there are meals to prepare and chores to complete. I stand reluctantly not willing to leave. Then I feel Him at my side and we slowly make our way to the gate. As I turn to secure its latch, I see the soldiers nod their approval, a carrot peeks his head up and winks, the tomatoes wave good-by and the melons seem to shout, “Just Believe.”
Ah, this is going to be a good day, we’ll walk together and see what He sees!