Heaven On Earth

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.  ~John Muir”

In February my husband and I celebrated our 25^th wedding anniversary with a cruise to the Bahamas.  What a beautiful way to celebrate that many years of life and love together.  It was our first cruise and proved to be pretty much all that I expected.  We soaked up the sun, ate too much, parasailed and spent time at a private island, and toured the city of Nassau.  In Nassau we had the opportunity to visit the Ardastra Gardens, Zoo, and Conservation Centre.  I am sure you can anticipate what the highlight of my trip was!

The moment I stepped into the gardens, I felt as if I had just come home.  My soul felt at rest as I took in the beauty of the tropical foliage and I found myself delighting in the details of every single plant and flower that I laid eyes on.  It seemed as if those gardens had been there forever, the stones that held the water features were well-aged with moss abounding, exotic full trees and coconut palms towered over bromeliads, orchids, brilliantly colored bougainvillea, and hibiscus of every hue.  Walking on the winding pathways, the gardens had an intimate and informal nature to them, which I liked very much, and held constant surprises, such as a footbridge over a pond where I got splendid pictures of Bahamian ducks sleeping after a hard morning of swimming and eating, a fresh water turtle on a fallen log, and archways of shrubs and exotic plant life.

I did some research on the gardens and mapsoftheworld.com gave a nice history of the park indicating that The Nassau Ardastra Gardens were opened in 1937 and that it was the idea of a Jamaican horticulturalist, Hedley Vivian Edwards.  He wanted to create a luscious garden in the heart of Nassau. This garden was named after the Jamaican defense force motto, Ardastra. The name comes from Latin 'Ardua astrum' which literally means 'Striving for the stars'.

The park is home to hundreds of beautiful mammals, birds, and reptiles from around the world, including many endangered species from the Bahamas and the Greater Caribbean and is committed to the preservation and conservation of endangered species.  The flamingos were breathtaking and marched on command in front of an awestruck audience.

I mentioned that I felt as though I had just come home when I entered the gardens.  I know that this is because just a touch of heaven has been planted in my heart, and the beauty we experience here on earth is only a morsel, a grain of sand, microscopic in comparison to what we will experience in heaven.  The splendor of the five acres that make up Ardastra Gardens are only a preview of what my Father has for me when I step into Heaven.  I am so blessed.  I have a Father in Heaven who paid the ultimate price of sacrificing His Son so that I can share eternity with Him, I have had 25 years on earth with a godly man who loves me more than I deserve, and I have a little bit of heaven right here on earth to remind that the best is yet to come.

 “Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43

The Source of Love

"We become truly personal by loving God and by loving other humans... In its deepest sense, love is the life, the energy, of the Creator in us." - Kallistos Ware

Today is a day of love, Valentine’s Day.  It is a day to express to all those most important people in your life how important and loved they are.  There will be flowers, chocolates, diamonds, cards, and much, much more given as tokens of love as we observe this highly celebrated day.

According to Wikipedia, Valentine’s Day has quite a history starting back in 496 AD honoring one or more Christian martyrs.  The day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. By the 15th century, it had evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines").

I once told my Mom she was my very first Valentine, and on earth she was.  But the source of love, my Father in Heaven is truly my very, very first Valentine.  He gave me life, pursued, and courted me until the day I accepted his son Jesus Christ as my savior.  That day I was bound forever into a never ending love story with my maker.

Very few acknowledgements are made regarding the love of God on Valentine’s Day, and that is sad because God IS love.  “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”  1 John 4:8

He is the very essence of love and longs to have relationships with His children (us) and for us to having loving relationships with others.  We are commanded to even love our enemies.  It IS our purpose for being here.

The sweet love shown on Valentine’s Day should not be confined to just one day.  Just think of how much more successful our marriages and relationships would be if the source of love, God, is where we went to draw strength in reaching out to others. 

“We love because he first loved us.”  1 John 4:19

Bee Mine

It takes a bee to get the honey out. ~ Arthur Guiterman

One month closer to planting time in Texas and I’ve been thinking over problems with gardens I have had in the past few years.  In the good ole days when my gardening efforts were rewarded with big beautiful vegetables, I remember harvesting early in the mornings and how the bees would already be out there with their noses in the blooms, buzzing around spreading the pollen.  The last couple of years I have noticed very few bees and I do believe this is the reason I am not getting the bounty I once had. 

In 2010, Fox News reported that Texas Tech is taking a lead role in research to determine why the nation's bee population is collapsing.  Seems the culprit in the bee decline is most likely a virus that has been on a rampage since 2006 and one researcher indicates this virus is responsible for devastating bee populations by the billions.  Other factors play into it as well such as environmental change-related stresses, malnutrition, and pesticides.  Not good.

Albert Einstein once said: “If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man.”

Bees are quite often seen as pests to the average joe, but the reality is that they are vital in the world of agriculture.  People who know the whole story of how every creature is  important to the balance of nature understand that everything has a purpose.  They are not cuddly, lovable little insects like the ladybug, in fact their sting can be quite painful, but without them we might well go hungry.

Valentine’s Day is approaching and I have been thinking over problems in relationships that I have been facing over the last few years.  Relationships are hard, bottom line.  Some people are just hard to love, and I think of them as the “bees” in my garden.  They swarm in to steal the sweetness from where I want to bloom and if I get in their way, they sting me, sometimes over and over again.  My first inclination is to just get rid of them, one way or another.  But through much soul searching and prayer, I have determined that God uses these bees to pollinate different areas of my life.  He uses my bees to help me bloom more profusely in other areas.  He covers the stings with grace so they don’t hurt so much the next time.  Soon I am able to recognize that these bees have a place in my life, that I can learn to work in harmony alongside of them, and that the pollen they spread around is vital to kindle and ripen the fruits of the spirit.

Save the bees!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”- Galatians 5:22-23

The Language of Flowers

“Earth laughs in flowers.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson

As long I can remember I have always loved flowers.  One of my favorite things to do is walk through the flower department in our local grocery store and take in the beautiful colors, varieties, and scents.  They warm my heart, lift my spirit, and, as if that were not enough, they speak to me whispering sweet feelings of love and emotion. 

Flowers have been speaking to people for all time.  Words can often complicate communication while flowers will speak right to the heart.  During the Victorian Era under Queen Victoria’s reign (1837 – 1901) floriography was introduced.  It was a means of communication in which various flowers and floral arrangements were used to send coded messages, allowing individuals to express feelings which otherwise could not be spoken.  Some of my favorites are:  Rosemary for remembrance; red Roses for true love;  Gardenias for you're lovely, secret love, joy, sweet love, and good luck; white Carnations for sweet and lovely, innocence, pure love, and faithfulness; Geranium for gentility; Iris for good news; Poppy for eternal sleep, oblivion, and imagination; and Thyme for thriftiness.

There is a corner in my yard that has proven pretty useless for grass, it is very sunny and I believe it would serve well as a place for a cutting garden.    I would like to trim it in a white picket fence with a gate and plant roses all around.  The thought of being able to have a fresh cut bouquet at least once a week really appeals to me.

I’ll have to wait yet a few more months to see any projects on my list come to life, so in the meantime I will put some red roses by my bed to remind me each morning of God’s love for me,  Rosemary in the garden to remember my mother’s influence and how it inspires me daily,  potted Gardenias to reflect the joy and loveliness of the spirit-filled life, white
Carnations in a vase on the dining room table that speak of the gentle love and faithfulness of my precious husband, Geraniums at the front door to consider the importance of hospitality, Iris by the gate to reflect on the good news that enters in our lives much more than we deserve, Poppies in the flower bed to reflect on how Spring brings earth back to life after a long winter’s sleep, and Thyme in the pot of herbs take account of how important it is to be a good manager of all God has given me.

“I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.”  Song of Solomon 2:1

Is Love Seasonal?

"Each season has its own wonder, its own special place and purpose in the pattern of creation."  - Anonymous

It is January in Texas, a time of pure unpredictability.  One day the wind blows strong and the cold bites hard; the next day, springtime temperatures.  New grass, like bright green peach fuzz covers the face of old man winter and makes him feel adolescent again.  But inevitably the storms will blow in stealing away the energy and warmth to expose the old man for who he truly is. 

Winter is actually one of my favorite seasons.  I suspect it is because we have such brutal summers.  Even though my feet stay cold most of the time and bitter north winds make me shiver, I welcome the reprieve it affords.  There is nothing like sitting by a roaring fire, tons of fluffy, warm covers on the bed, soup for dinner, hot coffee, and the sound of a strong cold wind rattling the windows.  I can find joy and goodness in the winter because I am blessed to have the resources that keep me safe and warm.

I often think about those who have no resources to stay warm in the winter.  I feel like I should try and do something about it, try to help them in some way.  So I donate a coat to Coats for Kids, possibly give money for blankets or coats for the homeless.  Then I wonder, is that enough?  No, I don’t think so.  There is a part of me that longs to REALLY reach out to them, offer what I have been given to help.  Then I turn over in my warm bed and go to sleep and all but dismiss the idea…

Fear.  There is something really scary about putting oneself out there, mingling with those who live in the streets, giving your time and story to someone who it may, or may not, make a difference to.  Yet Jesus came and spent most of his time with people just like these.  “The least of these” are the ones he referred to when he said “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”  In fact, you should know the whole story:

Matthew 25:31-46  (NIV)

    ³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

   ³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

   ³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

   ⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

   ⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

   ⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

   ⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

   ⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

God’s love is not seasonal.  It is a constant stream of warmth and goodness that never is shed away with the seasons.  With every life he creates he assigns a purpose, to love Him and to love others as we do ourselves, and that includes even “the least of these”. 

I think it may be time to do more.  I want to be on the “right” side.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13: 35-36

Kaylee's Smile

"Because (grandparents) are usually free to love and guide and befriend the young without having to take daily responsibility for them, they can often reach out past pride and fear of failure and close the space between generations." ~Jimmy Cart

It’s cautious, but now when we visit with our youngest grandbaby we are usually met with a precious smile.  I never push it, waiting for her to come to me.  After a while she will inch forward, take a toy from my hand or come over to explore shiny jewelry or an inviting open purse.  She is still in the attachment anxiety phase to Mom and Dad, but it is OK, I am patient.  I know that one day, she will run to me with open arms and call out “Grandma”!   It is so worth the wait.

At nearly a year old, everything she does is funny.  I often wonder what she thinks when we visit and stare at her the whole time; and when we are not staring, we are laughing.  The way she scoots around on one knee, the faces she makes, how she pounds on my curio cabinet glass in an effort to get at what is inside; all things that bring a belly laugh reveling in pure delight. 

I often sit and wonder what she will be like as she grows.  I can already see a little sensitive side, like her father; but that is one of my favorite things about my son…his sensitive side.  That characteristic is precious to me as it spawns compassion, kindness, and love.  I look forward with great anticipation being able to observe and take part in her sweet life.

I have found the differences in parenting and grand parenting very interesting.  As a grandparent, I feel more like a friend, possibly mentor.  I hope to be a great influence on my grandchildren and I hope that when I am long gone they can look back and laugh at my eccentricities, carry on some traditions, remember good times they had with me, but most importantly be assured of a place in Heaven because of my influence.  Whether that influence comes directly or indirectly, I pray it takes hold.  Ultimately, it is the most important thing I can pass along.

What a beautiful child Kaylee is with her auburn hair, apple checks, piercing blue eyes, and big beautiful smile.  That smile ties my heart around her little pinkie, leads it to simple delight, and then leaves it wanting more.  I just can’t get enough.

“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children."  Deuteronomy 4:9

Another Christmas Gone, Another New Year Begun

“And forget not that the Earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. “ Kahlil Gibran

The poinsettias are gathered ‘round the fountain now…outside…in the cold.  I know they will die there, they are native to Mexico and the temperatures are close to freezing now.  The house is bare, decorations boxed and put away, and the New Year has ushered in a cool stillness; a restful time that affords me time to relax and dream of cabbage roses, gazebos, secret pathways, cool fountains, and fresh Rosemary and Thyme clusters on my kitchen countertop. 

I should use this special time to focus on the inside of my home, improvements have been beckoning for years, but all I can seem to think about are plans for the garden and yard.  There is a corner in my heart for decorating and creating beauty inside my home, but the part that holds my love for gardening often invades and takes over that space in the battle for attention.

I have so many dreams for 2012.  Lately I have had such a feeling of happiness and contentment that I haven’t felt for a very long time.  I am looking forward to starting over, just like the New Year has.  A fresh start to make right what lacked last year, starting with a renewal of spirit, faith, and love.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."  2 Corinthians 5:17