BENCH Garden

Sisters,


God was truly with me yesterday as I worked the soil to make the BENCH Garden. It was an extended labor of love. The first tree went in last fall but it took till now for the garden to come together. So much like my faith walk, it had been a gradual process that picked up speed when the greatest changes where happening. The major planting happened in just a matter of hours. My faith walk has taken a life time but it too raced these past few years as God placed Joanne hands on my heart.

Yesterday happened quickly. Suddenly that place was forever changed. That ground, that space will never return to the way it was. Many hands toiled to changed it. The air will move differently and the water will penetrate differently. There are new roots and the old roots will be renewed. There is a new direction, a new place, a new purpose. He is the Gardener, but he uses many hands. Bless those who helped make this happen.

And just as in my life, things with the garden happened for reasons I didn't understand. The plants are small, and their thirst will be daily in this heat. The trees were heavy and the soil had to be and will always need to be worked, weeded and cared for.

Humm, I am small too and my thirst is for God. The burden is heavier than those giant root balls and more tangled. I too have been and will be worked over till I am pleasing to the Gardener! Joanne reminded me often that I am a "work in progress". Praise God for His patience!

I had no doubt that the timing is right for this because it was God's timing. Most horticulturists would be worried in this heat- but I am not. Funny how things happen- years ago I had great success landscaping on the 4th of July. It was a record breaking year for the heat including the 98 degree day I planted. It was a scorcher year and yet I had no losses. This garden began with a loss that can never be replaced. I do thank God for my family and friends-but I miss her so much.
I now think God was preparing me in ways I didn't realize.

I don't understand the way things happen- I seldom understand. My knee held up-surely a miracle and the heat didn't get the best of me till I had done all I had to do. I know God takes me farther than I can go alone-He proves it daily-but I usually don't have anything to show for it. This time He blessed me with this BENCH garden! Be Ever Near Christ Heart


I pray the garden and I will continue to grow!