Friends
I am spending lots of time in my garden these days enjoying God’s magnificent splendor! I hope you are finding places of beauty to enjoy. Let us give thanks for the treasures of this life!
+++
for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.
Psalm 26:3 – NIV
I spent some time In the garden Saturday fertilizing my flowers and pulling up weeds. I was mesmerized by the plethora of precious pink roses on Mrs. Cooper’s ancient rose bush. Last year, it miraculously brought forth double roses to astound me. This year, there are triple and quadruple blooms on each stem. There must be 15 blooms on that old bush. All I could say was “Wow!”
I was squatting between the bright yellow blooms of my lily and the cascade of pink drift roses when the thought hit me. My eyes scanned the glory of my garden, and my mind summoned up one thought, “Oh, the goodness of God!” That phrase brought a smile to my face, and then I found myself singing the chorus of a much loved praise song.
“And all my life You have been faithful,
And all my life You have been so so good,
With every breath that I am able,
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God,
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.”*
The goodness of God…can I get an Amen? Just consider that one year ago, we were in such a different place. Covid restrictions had us stuck in our homes, afraid to mix and mingle in any sized crowd. Churches, schools and gyms were closed. Restaurants were take out only or reduced capacity. People avoided travel especially by air. Families were afraid to gather. Weddings, funerals and the normal celebrations of life were put on hold.
As I paused in the garden surrounded by my delicate colorful blooms, I recalled the desperation of last summer. I was fearful and worried, irritated and isolated. My garden was my sanctuary, particularly since I could not even darken my church’s doors. I was afraid to go anywhere, so concerned that I might inadvertently spread the virus to others, in particular, our parents.
Now, one year later, standing in the very same garden, I am surrounded by the same flowers. But my feelings and my circumstances are so very different. Instead of annoyed and lonesome, I feel joyful. I can go to church on Sunday morning. I can gather with my vaccinated friends without masks or fear. I can once again go out to eat without fretting. I can visit my folks and hug them tight. Life is returning to normal patterns, and I am overjoyed.
“Oh, the goodness of God!” I am struck afresh about the faithfulness of God. Surely, all my life He has been faithful. His presence has been with me through every storm. No, He did not save me from the struggles of life. Over the years, precious loved ones were lost. Sickness still struck our home. My retina succumbed to disease. God didn’t save me from the suffering. He just saw me through it. His love never failed.
And it didn’t fail this year either. Sure, there were hard and lonely times. Certainly, there were fears and frustrations. But God has brought us through it. He walked the hard roads of this Covid crisis with us, and His faithful love still surrounds us just like the beautiful blooms in my garden.
For me, it’s like God has pulled up the weeds of worry and tossed them aside. He has watered my heart with His special brand of Miracle-Gro. God has brought us peace even when life was far from perfect. He brought us hope when the future was full of uncertainty. He brought us joy even amid the hardships of loss. Oh my, yes! I can stand and sing of the goodness of God!
How about you? Can you review the last year and find God at work even in the midst of your woes? Can you see evidence of His peace even when your circumstances were far from pleasant? Did you find hope in your heart even when the world around you seemed so harsh? Did joy show up even when it was hard to smile?
How about now? Are you rejoicingG over your improved circumstances? Is your heart like mine, full of joyful gratitude? For some, I know that the hardships and losses of the past year remain as a heavy burden. In no way do I mean to minimize the pain and suffering of this difficult year. It’s just that I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I see God at work bringing beauty out of ashes. For that, my heart rejoices. For His goodness in the midst of our trials, my spirit lifts with joyful words of praise.
Friends, I sincerely hope this day finds you feeling better. I hope that a song of joy floods your spirit as you consider how far we have come in one year. Perhaps such thoughts will bring a warm smile to your face and a song to your heart.
Come on! Join me in the garden, and let’s belt out a joyous refrain!
“And all my life You have been faithful,
And all my life You have been so so good,
With every breath that I am able,
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God,
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.”
(*The Goodness Of God, Bethel Music, Jenn Johnson)
+++
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 33:22 – NIV
PRAYER
O Gracious God, all our lives You have been faithful. You have been so so good to us. You have loved us with an unfailing love. You have brought peace in our peril and hope when all seemed lost. By Your grace, smiles have returned to our faces and joy once more fills our hearts. Thank You for Your unending goodness and everlasting love.
In the Good and Glorious Name of Jesus, we give thanks and praise,
Amen
Blessings,
Anita
-APS 6/7/2021
Faith Beyond Sight 