Upheld In Worship From the Garden

Yardwork Worship

Yes, you read that right.

When most of us think of yardwork, we groan. What comes to mind is dirt, sweat, heavy stuff, getting scratched, and achy muscles.

But, then, who said creating beauty isn’t hard work?

That’s what I did yesterday. After the rains, there was plenty of dirt and mud to go around! I live on a hill and half my property is dry. However, where the rainwater runs downhill and settles gets pretty squishy. Sort of like there is a pond under the grass. Ugh.

Because of the recent rains, when I dug holes in the flowerbeds to put the plants, water welled. Really? Come on!

Still, being close to the earth means, to me, being close to God. And He’s kind of partial to dirt—He formed us out of it, after all.

Hundred-Year-Old Flower

I love the peonies in my garden. They have such beautiful big, luscious blooms. When they sprout, I know it’s spring.

Did you know peonies can live to be 100 years old? Amazing!

When I found that out, it seemed appropriate, somehow. This plant moved with me from my old house to where I live now. Every Memorial Day, I take a bloom or two to my husband’s grave. It feels like I am honoring him in sharing the peony, from our garden, every year.

Another yardwork of worship.

A Thing of Beauty

Everyone loves lilacs, I think. They are stunning and majestic and wow us with their purples, pinks and whites. The bushes line gardens and send their perfume across the evening stillness. I love sitting on my porch, in my garden, when that fragrance drifts by; a lovely interlude after a busy day.

As they bloom, I bury my nose in every blossom I can reach and sniff until I think I might pass out. One afternoon, as I did my sniffing ritual, I heard God speaking to me in my spirit.

Thank you for appreciating my handiwork. I created this for you and for all who will come. I wait for appreciating noses and admiring eyes. I am pleased when you notice the splendor I place around you.

This is why yardwork is worship, it is partnering with God to create beauty. It honors the One who made us. It delights His heart when we notice.

Here is God