ALWAYS IN BLOOM – NEW BEGINNINGS

Dear Readers,

      With the onset of spring, we think of a time of re-awakening and new beginnings. As spring approaches (of course these days it’s hard to distinguish the seasons!) we anticipate the beautiful, colorful proliferation of flowering plants and trees.

     Much like a visit to a Botanical Garden where something is always in bloom - beautiful flower beds; exotic plants from different parts of the world; and, special collections of plant groups and glasshouse collections such as classic roses, incredible orchids and various, colorful tropical plants - our lives are always blooming, as we continuously make new beginnings.

     Before beginning a garden, the location has to be conducive to what you plan to grow, the ground has to be prepared, the soil has to be turned and then the planting can begin; however, we don’t see the end result until after the watering and weeding and “tending” and maturation have occurred over a specified period of time. Just as each plant and flower species have appointed times for planting, gestation and growth, we, who are all “gardens in progress,” too, are evolving each day into what we are meant to be.

     Whatever you plant in your garden, that is the harvest you expect to reap – in a vegetable garden, green beans yield green beans, tomatoes yield tomatoes, etc. In a flower garden, gardenias yield gardenias; roses yield roses, and so on. In other words, you reap what you sow. As we evolve into the gardens that we are meant to be, certain conditions must exist just as in a vegetable or flower garden.

     The first condition for our garden is knowing God – not just going to church – really knowing Him by finding time for visitation with Him, reading and studying the word, in other words, develop a healthy prayer and meditation life. This is finding the right location for your garden. Talk to Him just as you would your best friend and then listen for that inner voice (aka your conscience) to help you get on target. That is preparing and turning the “soil.” Experience the awesomeness and wonder of God each day.  As you drive from place to place during your work day or while running errands, rather than complaining about the traffic, take the time to really look at and take in the scenery along the route you’re taking. In early fall, when the foliage begins to change colors, there is nothing more beautiful than seeing trees, majestically growing side-by-side, with leaves of different colors – golds, oranges, browns. The same beauty is reflected in the wildflowers that grow on the roadsides of long stretches of highway routes. Now, we’re ready to plant our gardens.


       In order to be the most beautiful gardens we can be, our watering, weeding and “tending” must be on track. We, too, possess a God-given inner, majestic beauty that has to undergo changes in due season to reach the maturation stage. We have to take care of ourselves. Our health – mental, physical, emotional and spiritual – cannot be neglected. Remember, no other person has the responsibility of keeping you happy, healthy, wealthy or wise. So your garden has to be weeded of unhealthy habits, negativity, envy, jealousy, deceit and discord and it must be weeded routinely! One of the most unruly weeds is unforgiveness. We have to forgive others, not only because they deserve it, but, because you deserve the peace it brings.
      After all of this has been done, the final result is a one of a kind, unique garden masterpiece! YOU!

From my heart to yours…
Elayne

---