God, the Gardener of Life

In simple humility, 

let our gardener, God, 

landscape you with the Word, 

making a salvation-garden 

of your life. 

James 1:19-21 MSG

There is a path through the church's garden, through the trees and shrubs, where new spring growth has taken hold here and there. Wildflowers lift their purple and yellow blooms sunward. Light green, early growth foliage hangs low over the walk. Stones line the path intermittently yet continuous enough to mark the way. 

In preparation for the morning I’ve selected scriptures, identified intentions for prayer, and chosen to greet Him as Abba, and otherwise determined to be a listener as each step is taken. 

Breezes move gently through the canopy of limbs and against my face. Scripture images of Bible text scroll across my mind: the comfort of the Psalms, the teachings of Philippians, the promises in the Book of John... In the walking, hymns rise in a hum; Abba’s gift, not my plan. 

As I make my way, these stones remind me of the Biblical markings of God’s way and God’s voice. These wildflowers, they remind me of thanksgiving for even the unplanned, the unsightly circumstances of living for that too is redeemed as beauty. That scent, the invisible yet present. These buds near to bursting forth, so like the promises of our faith, the renewal of life. And that wind, always the image of the life giving breath of God. 

At the journey’s end I circle back retracing my steps, lingering slow to whisper a well of gratitude. The dappled shade playing across my heaven tilted face.

A Dusted Grey Cross

In the turning and stepping 

away from my pastor, 

tears were springing to my eyes. 

A dusted grey cross 

marked my bowed forehead 

and a soul deep humility 

marked my heart. 

Return to the Lord, your God,  

for He is gracious and merciful. 

Joel 2: 13

The Spirit within pulsed, swelled, 

and joy erupted in warmth 

across my face. 

A candle lit sanctuary, 

hushed in the sacred of forgiving, 

veiled the emotion of communion 

between God’s spirit 

and this grateful heart.

Then God made you alive with Christ. 

He forgave all our sins. 

He canceled the record 

that contained the charges 

against us. 

He took it and destroyed it 

by nailing it to Christ's cross. 

 Colossians 2:13-14

Gaining composure 

through the measured, steady pace 

back to the rows of pews, 

I sensed the streaming pilgrimage 

of so many all around me. 

Moving in turn, to receive the same mark

 scrawled across a bowed head. 

Were tears welling up, 

and hearts swelling up, 

all along these aisles? 

Once seated, did hands like mine, 

reach for Bibles to scour for favorite 

Psalms of remorse and praising? 

Were ashes giving way to beauty?

This post was already written when the Inbox revealed Emily’s exquisite post. Visit her at Imperfect Prose. She has much to share about the work of ashes.  

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He Talked with Us on the Road

On the road heading west,
local Sunday morning church services on the radio, one each hour represents different Protestant denominations. I settle in [hands on the wheel, eyes on the road] anticipating with interest the teaching and music of three Christian congregations in one morning.

Congregations of real people! I hear bodies rise from pews, voices clear to join in the confession of faith, and hymnals open to song. These broadcasts cross our metroplex of two mega-cities and dozens of moderate to smaller ones. One must smile at the reality of thousands gathering to seek our Lord all along this highway I travel.

 Once the cities fade in the rearview mirror along with radio signals and the vast western prairie stretches to the horizon, favorite CD’s fill my ears with the gifts of musical praise.

And as the driving is done [still, hands on the wheel, eyes on the road],

Notice the slower moving vehicle of an elderly person; prayers for their safe arrival.

Notice several semis lining the roadside rest stop; prayers for their Sabbath rest.

Notice the acres of wild-fire ravaged grasslands; prayers for restored life.

Notice the beauty of God’s hill country; prayers of thanksgiving.

Notice an aging rural steeple and later, billboard evangelism: prayers that a heart will be called by either.


 

Billboard: You  are God's child.  Make Him proud!

 

Notice trailers piggy-backed on rails or rolling on 16 wheels; prayers for labor producing commerce.

Notice the miles yet to go and the miles safely traveled; prayers of gratitude.

Think too of Biblical travels:

Hagar in the wilderness, Moses leading the nation, or two traveling the road to Emmaus.

“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32

The Lord and His Angels have accompanied open hearts on journeys far and near, in all corners of the earth.

Thus, I humbly venture to claim His companionship as I travel today hoping that every journey offers an experience of revelation, reflection, and worship.

Simply listen for His leading and look for His face as the road is tread.