Do you ever stop to enjoy amazing moments?
When I wake each morning, my eyes open in the quiet darkness and the words of my heart always stumble out in a conversation with God. Thoughts of care for my friends and family start our little talks as I ask my Gardener what we are going to do today. Asking God what we are going to do is always a little scary, yet it’s an adventurous and joyous thing to ask. But you know what, I am amazed that anyone can make any sense of me before coffee! But somehow, God does!
So, I roll out of bed after my groggy conversation with God and get the coffee on because I need it, so others have a chance at making sense of my rambling musings. Life before coffee is tough! Anyway, we have a full day of wonder and joy ahead of us, me, and the Gardener. “Wax on, wax off”, you get it, right? The cool thing is, I will meet each trial with God at my side. I am amazed that he walks with me in the garden of my life.
On the way out to the garden, I stopped in amazement as a new life appeared. There hung a new Monarch butterfly on the chrysalis it had called its home for the last week. The beauty of this creature in full regalia is amazing. Eight more hang in waiting throughout the garden, and one Fritillary (a beautiful orange butterfly) patiently hangs awaiting his glorious day. I am amazed at the joy new life brings to my heart. I am amazed at the cycle of life!
I put my Gardeners manual (my Bible), as well as my paper, pen, and coffee on the table, as I went out to the garden. The Gardener joined me as we grabbed the seed and took it to the special places our friends like to visit. I brushed away the empty shells and husk from the day before, and we delight in this faithful provision of love for all those who live in the garden. I know that soon, as I sit down and wait, I will be joined at the table. I am amazed at the blessing that comes from the heart of our gardener!
Interestingly enough, even in the middle of this pandemic (2020) that is affecting the beauty of our Garden (the gardens of each of our lives), we can still find amazing things if we only open our eyes to see.
Yes, we are surrounded by chaos that each of us wants to deny. We just want to get back to what we thought was normal. The dissonance invades our gardens here in 2020. What must be done about this dissonance, how can we compassionately restore the rhythm of life?
Here’s what I do know: It is important to seek peace in the garden of our lives. It is important to find time or activities that help us slow down so we can carefully look in amazement at the beauty that surrounds us, a beauty that often blends in when we are busy. Slow down so you can focus on that beauty and see it.
Yes, I am also amazed that I could even be amazed. When I was writing this, it was only a matter of hours, and I knew it before a huge storm of wind and rain would bring chaos to the garden. But that’s okay. I am with my Gardener. And I have the notes he shares with me, his Gardeners Manual, the Bible.
This amazement is called joy. It is a joy not to walk alone in the chaos of the storm. It is a joy to face each challenge with reverent care, steadfast love, and righteous toil in the gardens of our lives.
May you stand in amazement of our mighty God, our Gardener in life. May you kneel with amazing clarity, thanking him for joy throughout the storm. May you seek his joy and bow in amazement at his feet!
“Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.” ~~Psalm 33:1-5
