Elizabeth's Pen and Paper

I have always been one to appreciate nature. Granted, much of that appreciation has been done through glass since I’m not exactly Franciscan by any means. I have had my run-ins with God’s creatures, such as squirrels.

One aspect of nature I like is gardens. I’ve always loved visiting rose gardens in town and admire people who can keep up the beautiful spaces. I don’t have one of my own, but I know how much work it takes to cultivate the soil and make the flowers grow.

I think God must be the ultimate gardener. God knows just how much water and nourishment we need. God knows all there is to know about making a garden grow.

God’s creation of us for his garden follows the same pattern as the flowers in any garden. God plants each of us at a certain time in history; we each bloom at our appointed time in order to bring beauty to the earth; we each fade with the seasons in order to allow new life to spring forth.

My journey of faith has seemed like a garden at times—filled with beautiful experiences and people, and some thorns and weeds thrown in at other times. It’s all a mix of things.