Wild Flowers and Hedges

There's nothing better than a good book, a comfortable patio swing and a tall glass of southern sweet tea, over ice. That's, exactly, how I spent this evening in my Serenity Garden. What a cool respite from the July heat!

As I finished my book and lay it on the little green table beside the swing, I realized I hadn't put as much time into the garden as I did last year. Spring had been unusually lengthy, wet and depressing; summer seemed long in coming. I haven't made the usual dozen runs, to Walmart and Home Depot, for flowers and hanging plants and there hasn't been the endless digging, raking, pulling and cutting that went into the yard last summer. As the old saying goes, I have let "nature take it's course."

This year the garden is different; more relaxed. When I look carefully and deliberately, I see how the hand of the Supreme Artist has taken over, in my absence. Now, surrounding the rustic, ornamental heron, which stands on one leg next to the house, are the ostrich ferns that have grown twice as large as they were last year. The yellow ceramic duck, standing next to the weathered fence, is this year, encircled by wild flowers, and the hedge, enclosing one side of the garden, has formed a natural arbor over the wooden gate leading into this placid space. I feel humbled by it's breathtaking simplicity and authentic beauty.

The natural world, as I experienced it tonight, reminds me of our human-need for control, and how we sometimes, lack the trust, that could give us rest and peace-of-mind. The Creator's work is perfect, but we can't seem to "let go and let God."

Perhaps, it's best to keep in mind, Matthew 6:28-29, "Why do you worry....? See how the lilies of the field grow? They do not labor or spin. Yet, I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed as one of these."
Copyright 2008 By-Barbara J. Kirby Davis