Beauty surrounds us, but we usually need to be walking in a garden to know it - Rumi
Last Sunday evening was bright and sunny so we went for a walk. On our way we passed a chap working in his front garden. Naturally we greeted him which struck up a conversation. After a short while it became clear that his memory was not quite as good as it had once been. He would sometimes forget words or place names or how to complete a sentence. He had had an operation on his head he told us apologetically.
However, in his garden he is able to be the man he always was. After all, the plants, animals and birds are not concerned whether he can recite passages from Shakespeare or make complex mathematical calculations. So far as Mr Robin is concerned Man is simply something that turns the soil over to reveal juicy worms for him to eat. In his garden he is not judged, the plants have a survival instinct so that they will grow so long as he does not do anything too drastic to them. There he feels safe, he has a refuge, and he does not have to pretend. That is something to think about. In God’s garden we can all feel safe for as the Psalmist says in Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. And leading on from that we remember Jesus’ injunction in Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. So then, God loves each of us just as we are, we do not have to pretend to be something different or better than we really are. He cares for us all; His arms are open to receive each and every one of us. Thanks be to God
4 Comments
Steve Givens
29/6/2015 07:33:35 am
Beautiful...just the gentle words I needed to hear this morning. Thanks, Peter.
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Kathleen
1/7/2015 07:46:51 am
So moving, Peter, thought provoking and has brought tears to my eyes this morning. God bless you! He has blessed you with this gift. Kathleen
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admin
8/8/2015 05:24:46 am
Thanks for your comment Ginny. Glad it was of some use. Thanks too for stopping by. Now you have found me please call again you are very welcome. I try to post each Monday. I look forward to hearing from you again soon. Blessings
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AuthorI am an Authorised Local Preacher in an Anglo Catholic parish church, in the Diocese of Essex UK Archives
February 2022
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