Garden Psalm

– Posted in: Garden Musings

10-15A Strelitzia reginae_JFR

I seldom reveal my spiritual side, even to those whose conversations are full of  “blessings.” Much has happened since I wrote this, but I wouldn’t change a word. People said my recent post “My Circuitous Route to Writing Success” took courage. My honest response: Not as much as this one!

Garden Psalm                                                                       April, 2000

The Creator of the Universe awaited my invitation
I set aside an afternoon for Him
We sat in the garden together
He took me on a tour of Heaven
He is Light, and He shone through petals

Illuminating, life-giving, beautiful
Practical, too. Each fold and stamen
Has a purpose, but they could be drab and do it, too.
Nasturtiums, two of them, in a ray of sunlight
Petals overlapping, nestled in glowing green disks
needn’t be so lovely.

What fun is it, if there’s no one to share it with?
He asked me
When I said I wasn’t worthy
To be the guest of the Creator of the Universe
In His own garden, though I call it mine.

I asked Him, Was He playing with shapes and colors
When he made succulents in spirals
And bird-of-paradise, with orange-and-blue feather petals?
Yes, and form and texture, too, all within certain parameters.
Bee-attractors, water-users, sun-catchers, all those things

Each is different, as though He drew it — to whatever
fanciful dimensions He chose — and then ignited it with life.
Where are the evolutionary in-betweens?
I see no failed experiments.
Everything works perfectly, and is perfectly beautiful.

And it all happens outside my window
Whether I’m there to see it or not.
But how much better it is for the Creator
If I see it, and share it, and marvel at it
And know Him better as a result.

I asked Him to show me how to worship Him.
He showed me my own garden.

P1050928a

 A Meditation on What Matters Most: My Personal Statement of Faith
 We seem to be hard-wired with an awareness of a Higher Power and a perfect place called heaven, where there is no pain, sorrow or evil of any kind. But it’s tricky to try and determine reality where God and heaven are concerned. The only reliable source would be… [For the rest, email me at [email protected] with “Faith Essay” in the subject line.]
Debra Lee Baldwin
Award-winning garden photojournalist Debra Lee Baldwin authored Designing with Succulents, Succulent Container Gardens, and Succulents Simplified, all Timber Press bestsellers. Her goal is to enhance others' enjoyment and awareness of waterwise plants and gardens by showcasing the beauty and design potential of succulents via books, articles, newsletters, photos, videos, social media and more. Debra and husband Jeff live in the foothills north of San Diego. She grew up in Southern California on an avocado ranch, speaks conversational Spanish, and at age 18 graduated magna cum laude from USIU with a degree in English Literature. Her hobbies include thrifting, birding and watercolor painting. Debra's YouTube channel has had over 3,000,000 views.
Debra Lee Baldwin
Debra Lee Baldwin
7 comments… add one

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Donna jones May 6, 2015, 7:33 am

That is beautiful Debra! Thank you for sharing. beautiful and true…Amen!

Carla Hackley May 6, 2015, 7:43 am

Amen!

Jean May 6, 2015, 8:08 am

Lovely…

sarah May 6, 2015, 9:03 am

Hi Fran,
fyi
@ Garden Psalm,
God, The Creator, is not just male.
It takes Two to tango, and the Universal One communes lovingly with them both to bring about the triumph of life and love in our world and cosmos.

Sandi Fields May 6, 2015, 10:45 am

So beautiful it made me cry. such a lovely way with words.

Cynthia May 6, 2015, 2:25 pm

What a wonderful Psalm to our glorious creator God. Thank you for sharing.

Bret Palmer May 7, 2015, 10:14 am

Beautiful. it definitely takes courage to share our spiritual side. it does for me anyways, and I always appreciate others that have enough courage to share. Thank you! This is a beautiful message!

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