MY YARD

Welcome to my yard.

Some flowers are new, with lush leaves, and so full of color.

This reminds me of the beginning of life.

Some flowers are a single bloom.

This flower reminds me of alone time. Times when we are reading a good book, walking on a beach or having a quiet cup of coffee as the sun comes up.

I transplanted a few of these red gladiolus and they have multiplied!

These flowers remind me of times when we are surrounded by family or friends.

I like to make garden stones and they add points of interest in the flower bed.

These make me think of the things in our lives that add interest and a splash of color.

I call this a brain and you never know where an angel will be.

Some things that add interest can be a bit strange, unusual.  In this case, the outside of the rock hides the beauty within.

Still reading? Hang in there.

Only a few more pictures and I am trying to figure out where this is headed.

This rose has an aroma that hangs in there too. It used to be close to the house and, when the sun hits the siding where this rose used to grow, the sweet smell makes me breathe deep.

Some plants are a joy to behold and some are a joy to eat.

This reminds me that we need to feed our soul with the beauty of God's world and our stomachs with those zucchini before they get too big and take over the yard.

This sweet corn was growing tall. Tall until we had some strong wind.

This reminds me that there are times in life when everything is going great and then, WHAM, along comes a wind that knocks us flat.

As you can see, some stalks stayed flat and some stood back up.

The rain came. The wind followed. The roses all lost their petals.

This reminds me that pruning brings new growth.

The final picture. These blooms are dying. The end of life.

At first that sounds morbid. Then I realized that the end of this life means a new life.

That is the end of the walk around my yard and it does seem to represent my life. At one time, I was new and fresh. Sometimes I am alone and sometimes I join others in celebrations and worship. I add splashes of color to my world and I never know when an angel may appear. I pray my inside is much more beautiful than my outside. At times, I have been knocked down and pruned. So far, I have always gotten up and grown from the experience. I also know that I have more life behind me than in front of me.

My favorite scripture is Psalm 139. Those verses assure me that God is with me when I walk. God is with me no matter where I am.

You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Psalm 139:1-6

Now go for a walk in your yard. And talk to God while you look around. He loves to hear your voice!