There are friends in my garden.  They’re there right now.  Well, not literally, but the plants that have been given to me remind me often of the friends, family, and neighbors who gave them.  The lovely flowers remind me of lovely faces.  Each plant represents a relationship, some long and some short.  

My starting-to-bloom irises were a gift from a neighbor fourteen years ago.  I dug them from my garden when we moved (I left plenty for the buyer).   They were among the few possessions we brought with us across the country.  I think of the kindness of that neighbor often as I’m enjoying their riot of color each Spring.

The oregano is from dear friends of 40+ years who have blessed us over and over.  Oregano puts up with a lot like our dear friends putting up with us for over four decades.

The many unique miniature evergreens that adorn our gardens are a generous gift from the parents of one of our daughters-in-law.  How lovely are my gardens studded with those stunning tiny trees!  Not to mention some gorgeous large trees that have given our yard instant appeal.  How much loveliness our precious daughter-in-law and the girls she and our son are dedicated to raising have added to our lives!  I love seeing the tree starts thriving that our son carefully dug from his yard for us.

My blue blooming vincas were a gift from a sweet friend who is true blue in her continual service to the hurting.

The Lucifer crocosmia have pushed up from the ground.  Soon their graceful arches of pure red blossoms will brighten my garden just like their givers brighten our Sundays with kindness and personal interest.  Like their flowers that give nectar to the hummingbirds, they give sweetness to all who come in contact with them.

The cutest miniature irises are just starting to bloom.  They sing a purple duet with the lavenders.  These, along with graceful Solomon Seal, creeping phlox, some irises, and creeping Jenny were gifts from a dear friend whose generosity extends beyond plants to hospitality.  We have enjoyed her lovely open home as a gathering place to study the Bible for the past five years.  

My garden tells a beautiful story.  Looking at it day after day I am learning life lessons.

Generosity  
Some of my favorite flowers are generous.  They give us so much enjoyment because they bloom profusely and some even rebloom.  I want to be generous and bring delight to others.  I want my first impulse to be giving when I see a need.  Not just giving money and things, but giving attention, compassion, friendship, help, and a listening ear.  (We do give money to our church which helps provide food to the poor.)

“Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.”  Psalm 112:4
“They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.”  Psalm 112:9

Faithfulness 
Most of the flowers in my gardens are perennials.  I can count on them year after year.  I want to be a faithful friend, someone who can be counted on for the long term.  But there is only one Friend who never fails.

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.”  Proverbs 17:17
“Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”  1 Chronicles 28:20
“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:20

Beauty 
Blossoms come and go.  Youthful beauty fades.  I want to cultivate the unfading beauty of an inner person who is gentle and peaceful like Jesus.
“. . . the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.”  1 Peter 3:4
“Come . . . Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart.”  Jesus in Matthew 11:29 

Fragrance 
Don’t you love certain fragrances?  I’m fond of Lavender.  It’s a delight to work in my garden because I’m never very far from the calming smell of lavender.  The odd thing is that this smell that is so attractive to me actually deters the deer who meander through my flower bed.  I want my life to be a pleasant smell to God and others.  When we sacrifice our time, energy, gifts, and resources for others, it is a sweet smell to God.  We are following Jesus’ example.

“I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me . . . They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.”  Philippians 4:18
“Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”  Ephesians 5:2
“Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.  Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.”  2 Corinthians 2:14-15

Usefulness
Some of my plants are useful herbs.  I use the mint and rosemary regularly.  Mint helps with good-smelling breath and soothes the stomach and the Rosemary I use as a hair rinse.  Like these useful plants, I want to contribute to the lives of others.  One way I can help is to encourage others to use Scripture to learn what is true and how to act the right way. Since I was young, I’ve had family and friends who have been examples to me of the importance of reading the Bible every day and obeying it.  I love seeing their well-read Bibles near at hand and know they start or end their days with Scripture and try to live by it.  They encourage me to stay connected to God’s Word which is deeply useful for living a happy life.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”  2 Timothy 3:16

Let’s use every opportunity this week to be generous in our support of others, faithful to our family and friends, fragrant in our sacrifice for others, beautiful in our gentleness and peace, and useful in pointing others to the Scriptures which are ultimately useful for a happy life.My garden photos were taken late May last year.