Tending His Garden
To most, it’s just a bed of weeds. To some, a waste of time. To others, a distraction from more important obligations.
To me, though, “Pooh Garden” is sacred. For this is where I have pastured all of my hopes and dreams for Rachel.
Sown with love. Watered with tears. Cultivated with tender smiles and a chuckle now and then.
Here I tend to those dreams, my dreams; imagining colors with wild abandon. Eagerly anticipating a blanket of bright yellows, vivid reds, intense purples, deep blues, stark whites, and tender pinks. A glorious array, breathtaking to all who view it.
This is my dream for Pooh Garden. This is my dream for my daughter.
She will excel in this life: leading, serving, prospering. She will love deeply and live with purpose. She will succeed!
But this is my dream; is it different from the One who created her?
I used to think yes. In her limited capacity, my dreams for Rachel seemed out of reach—impossible!
However, while I have cultivated the soil, God has cultivated my heart: preparing a fertile bed to be nurtured for His purpose. He is revealing His plan for Rachel incrementally. In measures my soul can absorb.
As I toil in the shadow of the cross, I begin to see my daughter through the eyes of her Father. My heart softens. My troubled soul settles. Rest comes in the knowledge that she is God’s mystery unfolding.
Sometimes I still gaze deeply into her eyes, striving to get a glimpse of that which is hidden. But it is not for me to yet witness. I must wait.
Much as I can only imagine the impending brilliance of Pooh Garden, Rachel’s crowning radiance is also veiled. Glimpses come in the bright yellow of the partridge pea—in the brilliant smile of the Gardener’s masterpiece.
Rachel will bloom! But she will blossom in His timing when her true beauty will shine! When her splendor (and His) will be displayed!
And the more love and patience I pour into that garden, the more glorious it will bloom.
“In days to come, Jacob will take root. Israel will blossom and bloom and fill the whole world with fruit” (Isaiah 27:6).
By His Grace,
Julie
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Hello, I'm Julie, an imperfect wife and mother of four. Life in this broken world is not always easy. Yet, joy can be found in each day through the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I find it's easy for our day's blessings to get lost in its happenings. But God's "mercies never end" (Lamentations 3:22) and His "grace is sufficient" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
May the posts and pages on this site offer you a measure of peace and encouragement.
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Your few words typed here are such a beautiful garden of brilliant colors. Rachel herself has helped many of us bloom. She is a glimpse into the greatness and grace of our Heavenly Father. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Thank you for being there for me through life’s journey, Dawn! Rachel (and I) love being with you! One of my boys told me this post was too “poetic” for him, but it’s the only way I could really express my feelings–so hard to explain. God is good, and I am blessed to have a friend like you!
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