LESSONS FROM A LENTEN ROSE

Today my friend and I left the coziness of her back yard and wondered farther afield walking through some of her gardens that she had created through the years. We walked with dreams of how they would look if only either of us had the energy and health to release them from their bondage of many seasons of neglect..  It was a time of joy, yet a time of sadness.

     We found this plaque that has survived many seasons.

The joy for me, was seeing these hidden gardens for the first time up close and personal without the growth of spring and summer which would very soon hide them from view of all but my friend, their creator. 

I could imagine them in their fullness of season.  I could hardly keep myself from using the little strength I had to get down and release the edges of carefully placed rocks and bricks which were mostly buried beneath years of fallen leaves and encroaching grasses. 

  I marveled as the artistry of placement placement and color and texture that Janie had woven into each little nook.  

But I became sad as I realized what she must be remembering when health and youth were hers and the sun tanned strong limbs and freckled her nose. I could feel the loss for her of these places displaying perhaps  her greatest Art.

This little diversion  through these outdoor rooms, imagined and created during a stronger healthier season of her life, brought to her more sadness than joy, I think.

But...I believe God is in the Garden...

and while crawling under wayward vines and over undergrowth I was surprised by life again....

There tucked in at the base of a tree I saw this shaggy looking plant, but didn't recognize it.  So I looked closer and saw that it had blooms which were facing the ground instead of the sky.

I reached back and turned the little drooping head upward and peered into its face. I was filled with awe.

"Oh, how beautiful!

Why are you hiding little plant?  Do you not know how much joy your beauty inspires?"

And I thought of God, walking through His gardens...

And I thought of me.

And I thought of those of you who have helped lift my head throughout this journey.

We cannot forever maintain the pace of youth.

We cannot always be planted in our "dream" spot.

Sometimes we droop.  

Sometimes our best work seems to go to waste.

But you see...

Janie knew that shaggy plant was there. 

 It had value to her. 

 She the Gardener knew it was often toxic, often droopy...

And she knew it had surprising beauty.

 I want to lift my head to the Son.

and in so doing,

I want to be the hand that lifts the droopy head.

because

I love discovering the beauty He has placed in his children.
In You.