Take Some Time to Come to Your Garden

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 . . .

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!

It’s one of my favorite hymns to sing in church, and I was pleased that last Sunday when our congregation joined together in one voice to sing it. Like many gardeners, I do go to the garden alone. Whether it is in the morning, when the dew is still on those roses, and other plants, or in the evening, when the lightning bugs first come out, I often stroll through my garden by myself.

For gardeners, a garden in the afternoons and evenings is often a place where one can relax, allowing the stresses of the day to drift away after a long day, and reflect upon the events of the day. For others, a garden in the mornings is a place where one can prepare for the coming day, and a quiet place to pray.

Time strolling in the garden is also important for gardeners, as it allows one to spot minor troubles before they become major ones. A small disease on a flower, wilting on another, holes dug by a pesky armadillo, or worse, the neighbor’s dog. A leisurely stroll is often the perfect time to spot these potential problems.

Daily time in the garden also allows opportunities to deadhead spent flowers, like the butterfly bush in the backyard with the many dead blooms, or the purple coneflower, as it sets seeds for the fall. If you have a cutting garden, it is a wonderful chance to snip some zinnas, cosmos, and other flowers in bloom, bringing them inside to brighten the kitchen table or bedside night stand.

Perhaps a stroll through the garden is your chance to get some exercise. Gardens are often peaceful places to do stretching, jogging, or even yoga. Surrounded by color, beauty, and the sounds of nature, it is often ideal.

A comfy chair tucked in a corner, surrounded by bee balm, roses, and other perennials, or a hammock by a hummingbird feeder offer serene places to read a book, write letters, or after a hard day, take a quick power nap.

So, whether it is to collect flowers, read a chapter in that book you wanted to start, or lose yourself in prayer, take some time to come to your garden today, and each day. Enjoy!