A farewell tour of my gardens at first revealed little more than dead leaves, shriveled stalks, and dried broken petals. Suddenly weary, feeling a heaviness throughout my body, I sat down in my favorite spot and closed my eyes, as if to block the unpleasant view. After a few moments, opening my eyes once again, the color of a new blossom shimmered, bravely displaying new life amidst the ruins.
New energy chasing the heaviness out of my body, eyes once dimmed by debris, now beheld new life amidst the ruins, promising yet another season waiting for its timely return.
Where all seemed dead and spent, new flowers peeked out at me, inviting me to a closer look. Beginning my tour again, suddenly signs of new life popped out everywhere: new growth on my rose bushes, tiny points peeking through the soil, timid blossoms on petunias and vinca, and tiny buds on azalea shrubs.
Welcome back to the garden for a time of Garden Grace, where we allow God to reveal Himself through His creation. Once a month we linger together gleaning all He has for us through the beauty of plants, trees, animals and insects. I can’t wait to share my most recent discovery with you!
The finality of ruins
Perhaps perspective plays a big role in how we view our surroundings. Looking back, I realized my thoughts that day resented the broken remnants of a once vibrant garden.
My mind focused only on the death of the garden, finding new life amidst the ruins seemed impossible.
Yet a few moments resting in the Presence of Creator God, breathing the earthy smell of dry leaves and soil, the Hope of His hand making all things new (Revelation 21:5) took root in my soul.
Though autumn beckons all things to a season of rest, it leaves the promise of new life nurturing Hope through a season of bleak dormancy.
the promise of new life
Where once my steps dragged through the garden paths, the signs of new life amidst the ruins brought a lightness to my step and a smile to my heart.
Pondering the beauty of the lesson before me, God took me deeper in appreciating the signs of new life in the dry bones of broken relationships, health issues, unfulfilled dreams, and desires.
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.
Ezekiel 37:4-5
In Ezekiel 37:1-14, God takes the prophet Ezekiel to a valley of dry bones and asks him if those dry bones can live. Ezekiel wisely defers to God. At which time God tells Ezekiel to prophesy the word of the Lord to the bones, exhorting them to “hear” the word of the Lord.
Savoring the promise of the return of my garden in a new season reflected in the new life scattered throughout, helped me also see, within the barren and dormant areas of the garden, life breathed deep beneath the surface though lying dormant for a season of rest.
Holding the dead leaves of a Hosta plant, musing, “can these leaves live again?” my mind drifted to an estranged relationship, one I despaired of ever seeing healed again.
The Spirit whispered, “Can this relationship thrive again?” Like, Ezekiel, I wisely deferred the answer to God.
But then my heart filled with the words of Ezekiel 37:4-5, and the Holy Spirit impressed me to speak God’s Word over the relationship that He might breathe new life into the broken ruins remaining.
new life amidst the ruins
While I stood amidst the ruins of my garden on a recent afternoon, I wondered if the heavy sadness reflected more than the ruins of a once vibrant garden. I think I now know the answer.
God met me in the ruins of my garden, with the gentle reminder of Hope in new life hidden in the dry, parched places. Hope of a renewed season of growth and vibrancy yet to come.
Hope not only for the barren places of my garden but Hope for the dry bones of brokenness in areas of my life which seem hopeless, destined never to see life again.
As I speak the word of God over each situation, the breath of new life continues its perfect work, until one day, the beauty of all things made new bursts forth once more.
Donna, this post is beautiful. I am thankful for the reminders that, even in the broken places, the barren gardens, God works. He heals. He restores. WE don’t always see His hand, but because we are His kids, there is hope.
Jeanne, I so needed this lesson, and praise God, He meets us right where we are and always breathes Hope into the dry places!
I saw this afternoon that the latest cold snap totally froze my vincas and they’re now goners. But I know that in the spring, new life will return.
I especially appreciate this message of hope you’re offering in light of your estranged one, and I take it in light of my own as well. Thank you for sharing this encouraging word! I need it.
UGH, Lisa, believe it or not despite the cold, my one vinca is still holding on…I guess that’s a lesson in resilience….
Yes, at times the pain of my two older children’s estrangement can be hard to hold, I am grateful God is always near and breathes eternal Hope into my heart. Whenever I think of mine, I pray for you and yours weekly.
Thank you so much, Donna. You remain a guiding light for me. I’m featuring your post on my blog Friday as the Grace & Truth featured post.
Thank you, Lisa, and you have been a true inspiration for me. I am humbled by your friendship and sharing of my post this week!
Beautiful, Donna! My summer plants still linger on the stoop outside–shriveled by the cold Colorado frost. I can’t bear to part with them yet. Their soft undertones remind me of summer and that hope still lingers in this cold season. Thank you for these words today. I love the passage from Ezekiel.
Blessings,
Tammy
Thank you, Tammy! It IS so hard to let go of the beauty of the summer plants! I’m so grateful God met me in the garden with His sweet promises of new life, which I totally missed lamenting over what was gone!
Donna, thank you so much for reminding us that there’s fresh life amidst the ruins, seeds that will burst into bloom in their time, hope for tomorrow. I love how His creation always leads us back to Him.
Bless your weekend, friend. It’s been good to visit with you.
Thank you, Linda, for visiting with me this weekend! This hope-filled lesson truly rejoiced my heart! Though I came to my garden disappointed, I left filled with awe and wonder at the goodness of our Creator!
Blessings to you too, my sweet friend!
Hopeful and so nicely written. Thank you Donna.
Thank my sweet friend, so good to have you visit today!!
I love this so much, Donna! That hope for new life refreshes my spirit. Yes, God is still working in those dormant places. When I see a bare, seemingly dead tree, I remind myself of how God is still giving it life. The roots are growing down deeper into the soil. Just like when our lives seem barren, He is still working behind the scenes growing our roots deeper into the soil of His faithful love. Thank you for the reminder of those dry bones, too. I love that passage. Thank you for encouraging my spirit! Love, hugs, and blessings! Oh, and I loved your newsletter, too. 🙂
Trudy, thank you for your kind words! I so enjoyed this lesson in the garden, and God truly breathed hope into all of my dry places. Reflecting on the passage in Ezekiel helped me remember He is always at work, and nothing is beyond His healing hand! Sending love to you, my friend, and praising God you found the newsletter encouraging too!
Great Food for thought here. Humm, I love how your words encourage me to see this in a different perspective. Have a great day friend.
Visiting today from Let’s Have Coffee #19&20
Thank you, Paula! Somehow God always leads me to a different perspective!
Donna, as I was walking in our yard yesterday, I noticed how our bushes are bare and wondered what growth the spring would bring. You expressed it beautifully >> “Though autumn beckons all things to a season of rest, it leaves the promise of new life nurturing Hope through a season of bleak dormancy.”
Joanne, this is the first year I actually could walk through my garden without the deep sense of loss over the barren branches and spent blossoms, I praise God for opening my eyes to the promise of new life not only in my garden but in my life!
“Though autumn beckons all things to a season of rest, it leaves the promise of new life nurturing Hope through a season of bleak dormancy. “. What a beautiful thought! Thank you for sharing your garden gifts with us. Blessings to you today.
Thank you, my sweet friend for visiting! Just seeing your name in my comments brings peace and joy! I have learned so much about God in my times in the garden!
In His Presence. Pause. There is nothing like being in His Presence, Donna. I’m so thankful He brings life and hope in all areas of our heart and life. May the Lord continue to give you grace as You wait upon Him to fulfill the desires of your heart. I’m thankful for you, dear friend.
Lisa, resting in His Presence is the most comforting place I know, I sometimes wonder why I don’t seek it more often! Thank you for your kind and compassionate words of encouragement!