Hidden Treasures

                                                                 

           

                                         

          Watering several plants today revealed some hidden treasures peaking out from leaves covering them.  None of these did I realize were in my garden!  Foliage covered each lovely blossom.  Just happening to catch a glimpse of bright color made me stop to cut away leaves and unbury these lovelies.  It is like this in our hearts, too.  So much busyness, so many cares, so many demands take over and cover up what God is speaking to our hearts or working on in us.  We don't spend enough time with Him in His Word or quiet our souls to hear His voice.  So the treasures stay hidden for quite a while.  Not until we stop, take stock, and cut out some encroaching brush, do we see these gifts from God.  What is thought provoking to me is that the leaves I cleared out were other lovely plants that had spread,  not unwanted weeds.  Each of us have responsibilities and tasks that are necessary and good, but the one good thing, the one best thing is time with Jesus Christ.   He is my life, my true treasure, and His beauty thrills my soul.  May it be so with you, too.                                           K.C.

God's Garden of Renown

Oh, what a garden our Lord God Almighty has made!  His garden is so massive and breathtaking that we can hardly take it in to our souls!  Nothing like my piddly acre in my minute corner of the earth.  God's garden takes in the whole world!  This summer we took a long road trip through God's garden in four states and four provinces. What glorious sights and scenes that set us in our place - humbled at God's feet!  The Rockies and Glacier were awesome gardens that around every corner and every bend a new sight met our eyes.  Only more awesome is our Maker who designed and spoke His Word to create such majesty!

It is evident to me that God has put into our hearts the need for gardens.  Though some may not want to do the labor involved in keeping a garden, everyone loves to gaze upon a lovely garden.  From the Garden of Eden in the beginning to the garden of renown our Lord will create for His people in the Millennial Kingdom, we continually seek to live among gardens.  God designed us to live in His garden and shine for His glory, and we will not be content until that is fully accomplished.  In Ezekiel 34:25 - 31 the Lord gives a bit of the description of this Kingdom.  It will be peaceful and showers of blessing will flow, trees will yield fruit and the earth increase, safety and freedom, no more hunger or bondage, and God will raise up a garden of renown!  Then we will truly know the Lord our God is with us and that we belong to Him.  What a promise!

When we look upon God's beauty He has created let's remember and look forward to all He has promised.  Each small glimpse of beauty is meant to draw us to our Savior, Jesus Christ, and praise Him for rescuing us from ourselves.  He has a glorious plan for our future for all of eternity and in that plan we will live in His awesome garden.  Praise His name!                                                 K.C.