When our family moved from Georgia to Indiana in 1990, we really missed our family back home, and all the familiar places and people that were "Georgia".
We missed hometown southern hospitality, like running into the local "Quick Stop" for bread and milk. The owner would always ask, "How's your Mama and Daddy?" He would give the kids bubble gum and me a free rain bonnet to protect my "do".
However, we soon learned to love the people and places here. Across from our house was our new church. There was a prayer garden with a little chapel, and a swing suspended from the big oak tree. Cameron, Caleb, and I spent many evenings strolling through the prayer garden, kneeling in the chapel, or just a-swingin'!
At Christmas, the garden twinkled with thousands of white lights. In Spring, it was bursting with the color of forsythia. July meant dozens of American flags flapping in the breeze. Autumn's red leaves carpeted walkways lined with gold chrysanthemums.
I believe God had me in mind when that garden was created (and a lot of other folks, as well). There I prayed through many of life's major changes, happy and sad.
As the three of us sat in that swing, Cameron would always ask me to sing, "I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear falling on my ear the Son of God discloses. And He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own, and the joy we share as we tarry there none other has ever known."
It is good to know that at any time, any place or circumstance, I can sit in God's "prayer garden", and there I will always hear His voice.
17 comments:
A very beautiful post. I can picture it all in my mind's eye. Wishing you a nice weekend.
The prayer garden you visited sounds like a lovely place of peace and comfort and solace, Karen. This is a wonderful post!
Karen, although I am not a regular reader of your blog, I do visit from time to time and each time I do, there seems to be a post written just for me. Like today, this one about the garden just speaks to my heart! You write with a depth of insight and such warmth.
Thank you.
Am so glad I passed this way today.
Love
Lidia
Such a sweet post.
"In the Garden" is very special to me; it was sung at my brother's funeral a few years ago. Your prayer garden sounds like a beautiful place.
love the post Karen and the song. It's so true...He's there...always....through the good...the not so good. Have a great weekend.
Hi Karen,
The garden sounds beautiful and how lovely that it is just across the street from your home. In The Garden has been a favourite song of mine since I was a little girl. Thanks for sharing and have a delighful Sunday.
Blessings,
Sandi
Karen, In the Garden is a beautiful song. The place you describe sounds so beautiful.
Thanks for the prayer at The Lighthouse. I left one just for you.
Yes, Karen, isn't it great to have a prayer garden, where it's so sacred and serene one could hear that still small voice whispering to one's very soul?
Our Church's prayer and fasting houses are secluded and mostly located outside the busy cities. Surrounded by trees and covered by the azure blue sky, one could commune with God and feel His holy presence.
Thank you for visiting my blog!
Rina
This is so beautiful, I love how your write. Thank you for linking up with Brag on God Friday.
Thanks for that beautiful post and video.
Just beautiful. And yes, I'm sure that He was thinking of you when he inspired the garden. He saw you swinging and singing in the tree...
Blessings, Debbie
My son emailed me after he read my post: "Wow! I think I remember you singing a song to me, but I didn't know it was that song. Those words really spoke to me when I read them. Thank you for sharing that. God has also been speaking to me about Gardens and about meeting Him anywhere/everywhere."
Precious memories. I love memories that are tied to family and God. Your garden was easy to picture and I think I need one close by, too.
Great post. My mom took me along to a funeral when I was very young, 4 years old maybe, and they sang that song. I sang the "He walks with me,and talks with me" over and over again somewhat driving my family crazy. Little did I know that 15 years later I had that assurance and that I need to know that every day of my life. God bless you and may we all meet in that garden someday.
Sounds like such a delightful place to live. I moved a lot when I was growing up. It's amazing how one can adjust and learn to love their new surroundings. I certainly found that to be the case. Wherever God leads us is good. It's always better than we thought it would be.
Thank you for sharing these memories with us and also the beautiful video.
Blessings,
Charlotte
Hi Precious Friend,
I'm returning to Blogland once again. Crazy beginning to a precious new year for me. A new grandson was born in KY and after being on "high alert" for over a week, he was born premature but very healthy...Praise GOD!
So we have been traveling and adjusting, but what a delight to read this post!
My daughter remembers me singing this wonderful hymn to her as I rocked her to sleep many years ago.
Whenever we tarry with our Lord, we know a joy that is undescribable! ((HUGS))
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