Four Seasons in a Garden

Tulips

The amazing thing about these tulips was the extent to which they responded to the warmth of the sun. My friend Sheila once told me that it was important in life to always be open to the possibilities. My son was Special Forces in the Army and he told me that one of the Special Operations mottos was, “He Who Dares, Wins.” I made a decision when I became ill to be open to what God and life had in store for me. I was going to dare to live every day to the fullest. Now, obviously a full day displayed itself in different ways but I followed my heart, and that almost always meant that I went outside. I went outside to feel the warmth of the sun, the wind against my cheek, listen to the singing of the birds, touch the earth with my hands, and sometimes smell something sweet. Choose to live through all of your senses.

“Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things”

(Psalm119: 18)

Purple Pansies

The endurance of these delicate little flowers fascinated me. They can be planted when it is still too cold for so many other types of flowers. Our spring weather here in Nevada is so fickle. It can be 65 or 70 degrees in the afternoon and then dip down to nighttime freeze. I was impatient some days and would plant a new flower only to lose it to frost. The pansies however were tried and true - faithful to be well in the morning garden. We also have an unrealized strength. It remains deep inside of us until a life situation calls it forth. We may be wonderfully and fearfully made, (Ps: 139:14) and so I believe we are, but our bodies are also delicate. The pansies represented to me the paradox in life where there can be strength in apparent weakness.