Lessons from my Garden

My Sunflowers are tall and strong, the first bloom opening up fully on Sunday.  The seeds are from the head of last years biggest sunflower, which I saved to cultivate for a purpose.  Two years ago, I had gazed out my kitchen window on a quiet Sunday afternoon and admired my sunflowers, which inspired me to write a poem remembering Tim and using a sunflower anaolgy.  Several friends suggested I send them their own "Timmy" sunflower seeds to plant in their  gardens.  I cannot express how much this blessed me!  So, when Spring came around, I designed a little envelope and dropped 26 seeds (one for each year of his life) into it.  Some were mailed as far away as Boston, some were hand given. 

This morning in my devotional time, I am rereading "31 Days of Praise" by Ruth Myers.  It is so great to refresh my mind on the importance of praise and worship and how much that needs to be a part of my life daily...not just at church on Sunday.  It is especially important during tough and challenging times.  Like my previous post, motivation is important...but if the attitude is totally out of whack...motivation will be non-existant.  I came across a verse that reminded me this morning of my blooming sunflower.

Hebrews 1: 3A (NIV)  The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. 

The center of the Sunflower is like our Heavenly Father and his Radiance...His Son...is like all the golden petals surrounding and spreading out to define the beauty of the flower...God's  Creation.  It rocks so gently in the breeze yet stands firm like a strong tower...gazing in on me through the window of my life I leave open to His Grace.  

In other scripture I read this morning, something else popped up that I would like to share here.  This version from the NAS of Luke 1:78-79

Because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

I noticed right away that "Sunrise" was capitilized in my Bible.  The writer here is referring to Christ as the Sunrise of each new day of  our life, a reminder to me as well of His Grace renewed each morning.

Speaking of "guiding our feet",  there existed for may months, a  bad leak in the spicket of my outdoor fawcett.   It sprays water everywhere, but worse, it never shut off completely and always was leaving a watery film which grew green algae across my patio.  I almost slipped many times trying to navigate around it while outside doing yardwork.  Also, where  it was pooling was making one area of the lawn a mushy mess. 

When things in our lives don't get tended to, things that are bothersome, wasteful, sometimes could be harmful physically and may even cause others danger,  stepping over the problem is not a good thing.  I know we are all guilty of this one.  What a relief though when it is finally taken care of.  Things have been handed over to the Expert to fix and already there is an improvement in my walk...I am not afraid I am going to slip because the danger zone is drying up!   Sometimes it may just take some concentrated prayer and surrender, other times we may have to call on others for help.  If your path is looking a little dangerous lately,  step back and take a look at what needs cleaning up or fixed.  God will hold the flashlight right on it if you ask Him. 

Because I didn't want to stand by that spraying spickett and get soaked,  I quickly would run away after turning on the hose.  I was always missing something...something I discovered today.  Below the hose is a pile of rocks...one stood out very evident today as I lingered by the fawcett, admiring the shiny new nozzle. 

 Isn't this cool!  A rock shaped like a heart! 

Psalm 27:5a...

For in the day of trouble

he will keep me safe in his dwelling;


he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle


and set me high upon a rock.
 
 
Psalm 71:3  
Be my rock of refuge,



to which I can always go;


give the command to save me,


for you are my rock and my fortress.
 

I hope your garden is full of inspiration today.   Take a careful look at the ground, at the leaves, at the petals, at all the intricate designs,  hear the whirring of a hummingbird, the buzzing of a Japanese beetle, (which seem to be everywhere this year) watch the organized labor of the ant, the cooing of a dove, You will see God...and maybe He will find your heart, right there in the garden! 

If you are wanting some "Timmy" sunflower seeds,  I still have plenty to be planted.  Some of you  will plant, some will water and some will cultivate.  Who will attend to the Harvest?    Send me a comment, I will be happy to mail you a packet.  What's growing in your garden? 

Sunflower Lives

Out my kitchen window, I planted to see,

My giant sunflowers, swaying now, softly.

Planted behind the marigold plot,

Up they arose along the fence, a great spot.

Harvesting seeds from last year's crop,

The dried, crusty bloom, many seeds I did drop.

A few to the birds and I gathered all the rest

To plant this year; it was sort of a test.

And soon they emerged, up and up with speed

Staked, planted firm against their own weight and need.

The bees gather round more than before,

I spotted a mantis, praying for more.

And in my observation, today God speaks,

As I stood by the window thinking on summer weeks.

The first and the largest now hangs its head in grace,

For it has served its purpose, now the seeds take its place.

The others stand round with multi-blooms on stock

At watch over the fence, no hesitant balk.

Knowing they serve us with whimsy and purpose

But their days are numbered; preparing to leave us.

I think of my son, and his shining short season,

So like this sunflower, deliberate with reason

Planted and nurtured to leave memory seeds.

Continuing to sew for as long God sees.

And my hope is that one will grow in your yard.

A bright yellow flower to always stand guard.

A reminder of seasons, some short and some long,

But a memory of grace told in a sunflower song.