My Gardener

I remember being a little girl and reading The Secret Garden, by Frances H. Burnett.  That book captivated my tiny mind and whisked me away to a world so magical that it etched itself into my very identity.  I cannot recall to memory how many times I ran wild through the wooded acreage on the back of my parents' land, pretending that the overgrowth of trees and vines was my own secret garden.  I was even so fortunate, one summer, as to find a little patch of vines across the creek that had formed itself into a dome, creating a little space for me to hide away and enter into my world of make-believe for hours on end.  Those summers spent running carefree through woods which had the ability to morph into mystic and beautiful places right out of fairy tales hold some of my fondest and most deeply treasured memories.

Since reading The Secret Garden, gardens have been my mind's reprieve; my "happy place", if you will. When I accepted Christ at around 11 years old, my prayers consisted of me "walking" through a mental garden with Christ.  I can recall quite clearly a white swing that He would push me on as we talked while I drifted off to sleep at night.  Sometimes, with my eyes closed, I could actually feel myself swinging and smell the Spring breeze as it blew through my hair.  Those were sweet, sweet times.

That garden is calling to me now.  My spirit thirsts for those talks with my Lord, that intimate time in His company -- a time when the world my body resides in fades away as the world my spirit inhabits becomes a vivid reality.  No longer can I convince myself that those times were just "silly childhood fantasies"; no more can I say "Oh, that was then.  Prayer is different as an adult."  I need that garden.

Tonight my Savior beckoned me to come to Him in our Secret Garden in a very tangible way.  I had just gotten back in the car after feeding our pony and goats and switched the radio to The Word (the local Christian talk station) out of habit.  Focus on the Family was on, and they were broadcasting a speech given by Elisa Morgan (who happens to be the President Emerita of MOPS, an organization near and dear to my heart!).  She was comparing her spiritual walk to a Dixie cup garden (much like she does in this blog post that I found tonight), and talking about how we can plant the seeds, but must let God tend to the garden.

What happened next was magical, like something right out of one of those classic children's books I couldn't get enough off as a little girl!

The physical world around me faded away, and I was mentally transported back to my spiritual garden.  I heard God clearly speak to my heart, saying, "Amy, you feel frustrated and without hope because you are looking at all the tiny seeds that haven't sprouted yet, and at all the weeds that I yanked up.  But just look around.  Look at all of the gorgeous plants that I have grown up around you!"

In my mind's eye it was as if the blinders were removed, and suddendly I saw all of these huge, healthy, beautiful, green flowering pants and vines and trees all around me:

A godly husband who has turned into a fearless and caring leader!

Four sweet babies, two of whom have already accepted Christ at such early ages!

Close relationships with my sisters -- both my birth sisters and my sisters in Christ -- to sustain me through the crazy days of being a wife and mommy of little ones!

Health, happiness, and peace for myself and my loved ones!

There were so many plants, taller and greener than any I've ever seen, that I was overwhelmed with gratitude.  It is a good thing that I was at a long stoplight at this point, because I just put my head down on the steering wheel and cried out in thankfulness to my God! 

A new burst of excitement has been injected into my prayer life now!  I have a Secret Garden with a Gardener to tend to it, and He has promised me that He is caring for it -- and, consequently, my heart and dreams -- with a knowing and tender hand.  All I have to do is give Him the seeds and sit back in faith while He works! 

Will you give Him your seeds, too, my friends?

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  (Jeremiah 29:11)