In the Garden
from his 2024 book “Resonance” by Rev. Doug Duerr.
When I enter a park or go for a walk in a forest or garden, the song/hymn “In the Garden” often comes to mind. Written by American songwriter C. Austin Miles in 1912, it’s 112 years old, but its preciousness and devotion are very much alive.
Perhaps it's a memory of sitting with my grandmother in a Sunday service or one of the first hymns I learned to play on piano. Whatever the reason, I do believe we are never alone. The God of our understanding is always present and comforting when we pause, consciously, enter the garden of our soul, and listen sweetly to the comfort and connection of this brilliant Universe.
In the garden of our souls, we are both the gardeners and the stewards of the sacred soil. We plant the seeds of our intentions, dreams, and aspirations with care, tilling the earth with our hopes and nurturing them with faith. As we work diligently, we watch our garden grow, each blossom a testament to our efforts and our divine connection.
I cherish the memories of helping and observing my grandmother in her own garden, harvesting beautiful vegetables every season. She would can, freeze, or serve them fresh for supper in the evening. She never complained and worked diligently, often singing as she worked. I believe it was her faith and trust in the abundance given to us that kept her grateful, even when she had very little in the scheme of things. There was always a feast of plenty in her world and in mine. The garden remains a precious and sacred memory for me today. We make space for new growth and ensure that our garden remains healthy and vibrant. And we are continually presented with opportunities for our own spiritual growth and renewal.
As we bless and acknowledge the full scope of our gardening plan, we see that every plant, every flower, and even the spaces between them hold a purpose. By tending to our inner garden with love and care, we prepare the ground for an abundant and blooming life. With a deep faith, we know that the essence of our being is love, and through this love, we cultivate a garden that is ever ready to flourish.
Trust in the stillness, sing “In the Garden”, and pray in gratitude affirming that good is unfolding each day.
In the Garden
Verse 1:
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.
Chorus:
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.
Verse 2:
He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet that the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me,
Within my heart is ringing.
Verse 3:
I'd stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; for me to know
His voice for me is calling.
03/09/25