God in the Garden

Recently a friend and I were discussing how the whole move to our new home came about. I was trying to explain how it evolved over the years…how neither my husband nor I grew up in the country, but we were drawn to it over the years.

We always had this dream tucked back in our minds, that “someday” we might have a little farm– a place where we could raise our kids enjoying nature and lots of hands-on education. As the years passed, it just seemed to be one of those “dreams” that would never really happen to us.

But then we did start to pray fervently about it. I could see that the years with my children were slipping away, and there was only so much time left to bring that dream to a reality. If we wanted to make it happen, time was moving fast.

We prayed and prayed, and we got answers…but for awhile the answer seemed to be, “No.” Until last year, when this house was finally the answer to prayer.

As I was thinking about how this whole situation evolved, I was also thinking about how much we love having a garden here. Our dream is to expand it further and further each year. I love seeing my husband tend to it after work. I love seeing the kids work together in it. I love the whole process of seeing things grow from seed to harvest. There is  so much about the garden that I love. Mostly, though it has connected me even closer to God.

I was thinking during my quiet time this morning with the Lord about gardens and the Lord brought to mind a few things…That LIFE started in a garden. I also thought about how Jesus prayed in a garden. Then I thought about the many times gardens, plants, and harvesting are mentioned in the Bible.

I opened my concordance and looked up the word garden. I found so many things already, that I am still learning and seeking, but I thought I would share a few today, that you may see God in the garden.

• God created Adam and Eve and the lived in The Garden of Eden. A paradise. One day, Jesus will  return and this paradise will be restored.
• Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray.  I have often prayed in my own garden. There is something about it that really rests my soul.
• In John 19 it says that after Jesus died, he was buried in a garden: 

“Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.” (v. 41) 

A few verses later, it says,

“When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there and did not know that it was Jesus.  He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” (John 20:14-15)

This is referring to Mary Magdelene visiting the tomb, and Jesus appearing to her. At first, she did not recognize Him. Like so many of us, Jesus is there and until He opens our eyes, we do not 
recognize Him!

So many years I read this passage and didn’t realize the significance of those words. Again, it all started in a garden, and then ended in a garden (yet we know it truly didn’t end there!) And then the fact the Mary thought Jesus was the Gardener…do you see it? He was the Master Gardner…the One who tended to the garden of Eden! Yes, He was the Gardener.

These are just a few things that I find truly fascinating. So you see, I look at my garden for its beauty and its food and its wonder…but mostly because I see God in the garden.

I am truly amazed at how He ties things together in this world…and the garden is truly significant.