Rejuvenate your Heart with God’s Love and Watch Your Garden of Life Flourish with a Bountiful Harvest of Joyful Hope

JUNE 2020

As I sit with my tea (my morning comfort time), I reflect upon this past season and all we have endured through this historic time of uncertainty.  I reflect upon how it seems like yesterday that we welcomed in the first bud and bloom of the spring and how, just a few weeks later, spring has kept its promise of sharing and has burst forth with joy. Bouquets of colorful flowers have appeared throughout the garden. As I look around, it seems as though all the plants are at peace with their new growth after being in a deep winter slumber.  I feel that, for many this past season, we have also been in a deep slumber, as we shelter indoors, waiting for this storm of uncertainty to wash away.  

The garden, my teacher, once again shows me that even when our souls may be in a slumber, nothing truly stops. And, like nature, we will continue to grow. Even when we face these uncertain times in our lives, I find that we must remind ourselves to keep growing and to keep moving ahead as there is a season of hope ahead for us all.  I was recently reminded in a study in Philippians, Chapter 4, that we can move ahead and refresh our thoughts and focus on the many things that are praiseworthy in our lives.

”Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8

I am continually reminded that, through the many surprise creations discovered throughout the garden, our Heavenly Father is always there to restore us with his unfailing love. He provides us with an endless bountiful harvest of nourishment through His word to strengthen and encourage us through all seasons—even when sometimes it may seem as though we are in a drought.

”They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:8

During a recent reading, I found myself pondering on a thought the author had shared about feasting. Yes, feasting (not fasting) on God’s word. While tending to a couple of pots in my garden, I thought, “God is indeed the greatest gardener in our lives if we invite Him in our minds and hearts to prune away unhealthy thoughts, doubts and worries and allow Him to plant beautiful seeds of His words.” With them, we will grow in His boundless encouragement and love.   

I was reminded that this is about how we live our lives and if we chose to bear the fruit that grows out of the strength of God’s love.

“…being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and “giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.” Col 1:11-12

To me, God’s word is such an encouragement for our minds and hearts. It creates comfort that I often describe as a joyous peace.

As I continued to rework the plants in the pot, pruning the old dead leaves away and freshening the soil with new dirt, I added some needed water for extra nourishment to welcome in new and renewed growth.  I stopped for a moment and thought, “ Wow. This is what our Heavenly Father does for us if we invite him into our minds and hearts to feast, yes, feast on his word in order to live rejuvenated in beautifully abundant gardens of hope and joy. 

“If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23  

As we welcome in the summer months of warmer days with sunlight that stretches into the evening, I find myself rejuvenated with hope. 

And as my dear mentor, Xzandrya, taught me, “Every day is good and some days are gooder.” 

I invite all to feast on the encouraging words and love of our Heavenly Father as if they were fresh fruit sent to rejuvenate one’s heart and soul with renewed hope for another joyous season ahead.  

“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”Romans 5:5

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13