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God's Garden


I'm waking up to a glorious day. The morning air is cool is like a refreshing frosty drink pouring down my throat. It's a great day to ride up the hill, and I have packed my camera because I want to capture the hidden beauty that I found the other day. I should have known that wild flowers would be in full array after all the rain we've had this year, but I forgot how that beauty truly captures my heart and soul.

So off I go pedaling, I'm having to push against a pressing wind, but I'm determined to push on through. I have come to relish my solitary bike rides, it seems it's there I find companionship with my Creator Lord. Through the muscle strain and striving that the journey takes me, I seem to hear his voice much clearer. Today is no exception, in fact I hear myself joining in a chorus of singing praises to my Maker, and for a moment I even have the blessed memory of hearing Mom play octaves on piano keys. I see her radiant smile as she joins to sing the song, I see her fingers spread and strong as she strikes each key and chord. Looking around, I stop to pause and catch my breath, I'm awed not only with the beauty of God's creation, but awed with His presence so close within me. . .

Sometimes, I am too wrapped up with the pain and hurt that easily comes with life. For me, there's always another battle to confront. At times, I feel forgotten and wonder if I even make a difference in my short lived life. But it's then I turn the bend in the road and ride up toward the top and all before me is God's garden, a sea of orange, yellow and purple blossoms. They furnish a colorful fringe for the bottom of green and bushy foothills. I stop by a lone pine tree full of honey colored cones. I smile as I watch two tiny birds play tag among its branches. I seem to have arrived at the center of God's great heart . . .

Coasting down the hill, I'm reflective. Just think, the beauty of those flowers will quickly pass as spring gives way to summer. Most folks will never get a glimpse of what I've found, they'll drive right past it, they'll never know the field is there. It will remain a hidden garden in the world. Yes, those blossoms are just like life, here today and gone tomorrow. I will probably never be well known, my work will be hidden from the path of common view, yet my Maker sees me as I am and lovingly cares for me each day, for I'm even more important than His garden that He tenderly makes each year . . .

"Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, but I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. But if God so arrays the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you, O men of little faith. "
(Luke 12: 27-28)

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