My Little Garden of Eden

Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Luke 12:27 NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 NIV

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV

After days away from my patio view, the beauty of my yard overwhelmed me. I felt like I had stepped into a lovely, botanical garden.

Sunlight streamed from a crystal-clear blue sky. Along the shore, at least thirty delicate, white African irises filled the area between two cypress trees with newly sprouted green needles. More irises bordered my patio.

An abundance of yellow coreopsis displayed their sunny faces in a flower bed under the oak tree next to mounds of white and green spider plants. Orange and white salvia filled the area in front of my porch. Purple society garlic waved their slender blooms on a side of my patio. Dew drops sparkled on leaves and a lacey spider web.

A chorus of birds welcomed the morning with their songs. A pair of cardinals chirped and flew from tree to tree.

The beauty of my view captured my attention and kept me from my normal devotional time. I didn’t want to miss the exquisite gift before my eyes. I always appreciated the landscape and thanked God for it, but the phenomenal blessing left me speechless.

Instead of a few pretty flowers, my yard had been transformed into my own little Garden of Eden. I could not stop staring at the magnificence of what God had done. The unexpected display reminded me of His love and care. He took my freeze-damaged yard and created a masterpiece.

Over the years, I added a variety of plants. The irises had come from our previous home. A neighbor gave me clumps of coreopsis, which multiplied and were originally planted by another neighbor. A friend gave me the society garlic from her garden. The salvia had spread from a couple of plants I purchased. I planted several specimens, but God expanded them into the abundant, magnificent showcase I now have.

The Lord can take our insignificant lives and turn them into something beautiful. As I experienced my spectacular garden, I began singing a song I learned years ago at a church divorce group.

“Something beautiful, something good. All my confusion He understood. All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife, but He made something beautiful out of my life.” by Bill and Gloria Gaither.

 

After a few words, I burst into tears. My mind went back fifty years to a broken, scared young mom facing an unwanted divorce. Now nearing eighty with countless trials and disappointments behind me, God has taken my broken pieces so I could understand the pain of others and write books to comfort them.

He has been molding me for His purpose. That reality brought tears of thankfulness. I have no idea what lies ahead, but I know He will love, guide, and strengthen me. 

Father, thank you for taking my messes and using them for good. Give me strength, wisdom, and compassion to help those around me who are hurting.

Amen