Today is the beginning of National Garden Week. I’ve included some photographs of the blooms that have made their way into my garden this season. The beauty of having a garden is like waking up to a new surprise every day. We’ve been blessed with just the right amount of rain to provide for those thirsty blooms. When we move to the next chapter of our journey, this is one of the things I’ll miss the most.

When spring arrives, we are recovering from a long case of cabin fever. The new awakening of life is everywhere. It’s like a resurrection of sorts. What appeared to be void of life is now abounding in it. The grass is greener. The trees have reached the point of a thriving canopy to shade and protect the newly mown grass. The weeds even have a say in the whole process. It seems they never take a break. Still, even those dandelions and wildflowers possess a glory of their own. Purples, blues and yellows are interspersed with the treasured plantings of years past. Kind of like our lives, they are infiltrated with the weeds of sin. Only God can remove those nasty nemeses – those villains of the garden – those demons of destruction. Soon they can choke the good plants and take away their lives. Thankfully, God sent His only Son to take on our burden of sin and make resurrection possible not only for Him, but for all who believe in Him.

Thank you, sweet Jesus, for giving us the beauty of your creation. You are the Master Gardener of our lives. You take away the ugliness of sin and the weeds that infest our souls. You provide nourishment, patience yet immediate results and love for us that can only come from you. You make beauty out of that which is flawed. You make it pure again. Help us to flourish under your watchful eyes. Give us the right words to encourage others. Lead us into your heavenly home – where there are NO weeds! In Jesus name, Amen!