Breathe in God’s Peace

This morning I took the time to walk around the house, dead heading petunias and hibiscus blossoms while I stumbled along through the dew drenched grass. I couldn’t help but think how much I’ve changed through the years. Now I enjoy such a simple pleasure and love “messing with” my plants.” The poison ivy I got Saturday while weeding my strawberry patch proves that “mess.”

Twenty years ago at 43, the best I could have done was to occasionally water a few flowers, a task undertaken more out of duty rather than love. The interest wasn’t there because time was tight. Then our children would’ve been 12 and 14, busy ages with lots of time spent in the minivan.

Forty years ago at 23, I was newly married, going to grad school while teaching full-time. We lived in an apartment near Eagle Creek. Gardening and flowers simply weren’t on my radar. The only connecting activity then as compared to now is my husband and I still occasionally take our 42-year-old matching Myata bikes out for a spin, but certainly traveling not as fast nor as far.

Fifty years ago at 13, my “Granny” and I spent a lot of time together while both of my parents worked full time. She taught me to stem strawberries, snap peas, and pick (while sampling) grapes. But more than that, she taught me about Jesus. One of her favorite songs, “In the Garden”, has become one of mine.

Take a moment to breathe in God’s peace, one that passes all understanding. Then find your garden to enjoy!

In the Garden

  1. 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.

    • Refrain:
      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.
  2. He speaks, and the sound of His voice
    Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
    And the melody that He gave to me
    Within my heart is ringing.
  3. I’d stay in the garden with Him,
    Though the night around me be falling,
    But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
    His voice to me is calling.

(public domain – lyrics by Charles A. Miles, 1913)

6 Comments

  1. Wendi Haley

    Thank you sweet friend, for awakening in me memories of my own time with my Granny in her garden and the spiritual legacy passed on from her to me. (I had purple fingers from shelling purple hulled peas from her garden.)

  2. Pat Wheeler

    So very true! Thanks for the post Joyce! ?

  3. Janey

    Joyce,
    This and the Old Rugged Cross were Mother’s favorites. She always said she couldn’t sing a note, but I could hear her softly singing sometimes as she went about her work. And yes as I grow older. I find that I too love to just sit and enjoy.

  4. BJ Nowacki

    Joyce….my mother would still sing harmony with me while we sang In the Garden at the Nursing center. It was the only song she sang with me and knew my name while we sang. Dementia was taking her memories. She loved this song and many other hymns till she was 96. Thanks for the memories. bj

  5. Tami

    My mother and her sister often harmonized to this song in church. While I was reading, I heard their voices again. Thank you

  6. Wilma Rasdall

    Joyce, what a wonderful article.

    It is amazing how God created so many beautiful things for us to enjoy. I’ve been taking time in the evenings to enjoy my beautiful garden, not only the flowers but all that it brings, from humming birds, bees, the beautiful birds and all the wonderful sounds.

    Yes, God’s peace, one that passes all understanding.

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