As I walked today, I noticed the vines of blackberries beginning to bear fruit.

“It’s been many seasons like this Lord that we have spent in this place together.”

I slowly sat under the usual shade tree to pen my thoughts and a gentle breeze drifted my way. I always marvel at His beauty here and wonder at times would He delight my heart with a new flower or a hidden treasure yet to be found.

This place is marked by much…

I can still hear the laughter as we dreamed together and I would share my hearts delights. Also heard are the shrill screams of a dark season where I pleaded to be released as a minister. Funny how Christ shall never let us go once He comes and sweeps us off our feet. Yet, His patience in times of healing is deep and wide and long talks were a steady dose for my very survival.

This has been a steady place for me and Jesus. For a season I didn’t darken the doors of the secret garden. Yet, He waited for my return and ever faithfully met me anywhere, at anytime.

Peace lives here in the midst of the rustling leaves and wind blown grass. At any moment I can hear what seems like a million creatures lifting up their unique voices all at once.

Occasionally, I am met with divine encounters that leave me belly laughing. From a tortoise that seemed to lose his way to a fox giving me a good little scare… much is quite alive here.

I have taken in the strong scent of honeysuckle, while sneezing my head off at a delightful blossom whose name is hidden to me. But each catches my attention of God’s amazing creative character.

I marvel at the detail given each flower and get startled often at the sound of a sudden woodpecker busily working.

Sometimes the sky is a majestic clear blue and as dusk comes the sunset slowly folds up the day and I am sad to leave.

I brush my hands against the tall grass as I walk and I talk to Jesus about virtually everything under the sun. Sometimes He simply listens and other times I find a stranger entering into our place with an unusual opportunity to share the hope of Jesus. He speaks often and in many many ways. His answers simply rarely look as we imagined.

I have watched ants tirelessly work as a team and scoured the pages of scripture at the wind turning every page. With each breath I am reminded He calls the wind out of the storehouse and kisses me on the cheek with a warm touch.

This place allows no pretense at all. No dressing up a little girl hiding insecurities or deep pain. No, here my heart is laid bare. My sin, my fears, my burdens, my losses, and my griefs.

He’s been known to pick a flower for me as the courting King that He is and goes to great lengths to reach for a tear as it begins to fall. Often My lip begins to quiver and I simply say, “Do you see that in my heart Lord?” Words are not needed here. He sees it all…even that which I have yet to see.

My faith has been at times ignited here at His sending of a deer that halted to gaze directly at me and red birds seem to fly eerily close as a question is being pondered quietly in my heart. A few times I have encountered the quick coming of a falcon hawk that showed me great power we often forget to revere in God Almighty.

I use to be met almost every visit by a pair of roadrunners and for the life of me I still wonder why. They are known as “snake killers.” Perhaps the Lord was reminding me to put the enemy of my soul under my own feet a time or two;-)

I have experienced love here and loss here. Yet, I have found peace and healing here as well. For Christ is a great restorer and rebuilder of the ruins. Often I hear the whisper, “Redeem the time, Shelly, for the days are evil.”

….Ahhhh, and again I glance up to see the shadows begin to mark a soon end to another day. Rest will come for all His precious creation and tomorrow will be a new day.

May it be as sweet as all the ones before…