I was out in the garden today, thinking about how I got to this place of beauty.

When I first married and moved here it was nothing but dirt, weeds and a bunch of old trees.  We started by clearing out all of the weeds, leaving the eucalyptus, palm, podocarpus and ash trees in place.  We added sprinklers and planted grass from seed. We were in awe as we watched the water bring life to all those little seeds, giving us a sweet blanket of green grass.  And we were so thankful!

Soon we added a few gladiola bulbs and rose bushes discarded by the neighbors which brought islands of color to the vast stretches of green.  Again, we were in awe and so thankful.

Little by little, year after year, more was added to the landscape, each plant growing from seed or as a gift from a loved one.  We delighted over each and every one, proudly watching them grow from seedling to full size.  Slowly, birds and insects began to visit our once barren plot and a living ecosystem began to thrive.  We were in awe and (you guessed it) so thankful.  Eventually it became this beautiful haven that I wander through each day.

I think that’s how God watches the garden of our hearts grow when we allow him to become our master gardener.  He clears away the weeds, provides that lovely green foundation and then adds bits of color, one little plant at a time. He’s delighted with every little sprout of growth as he nurtures us along, watering us as needed, providing sunlight for us to follow and just enough stress to strengthen us. He doesn’t expect us to be bigger or stronger than we are, either.

The Bible says, “A bruised reed he will not break.”  Eventually our lives become beautiful garden-havens that he wants to share with others – so they can be transformed as well.

Have you walked through a garden today?  Are you listening for God’s voice?