Hi all, here we are at Week 29. This week, Helen has shared on the way God speaks to her through her garden. It's a beautiful reflection on God's faithfulness and the often gentle way that he works in our lives. Helen and I met when we attended the same church in Watford. I hope you particularly enjoy the before and after photos of her garden! I think we can all agree how much work has gone into it. A collaborative creation effort!
In Helen's words...
"God often speaks to me through my garden.
I spent most of my 20’s and 30’s living in rented accommodation living with other people’s dodgy taste in wallpaper and never feeling like I was able to create a home of my own. After many years, and many prayers, I was finally able to buy my own place a couple of years ago and God answered so many prayers in the way in which that happened. The garden was an overgrown jungle when I inherited it and I have spent lots of hours and hard work turning into a little sanctuary in Watford!
Every time I sit in the garden, whether for a morning cup of tea at the weekend, or having friends over for a bbq, I am constantly reminded of God's faithfulness. Sitting in that space I often reflect on just how good God is. He provided for me in a way I would never have imagined and my garden acts as a visual reminder that God is always faithful and hears every prayer we pray. Particular in times when we’re struggling, I think it’s so helpful to have something tangible that we can reflect back on and say ‘this reminds me of the faithfulness of God… and I know my God is still the same’.
The other aspect of my garden that God speaks to me through is growth. During the initial renovation I faithfully planted some small little plants which didn’t fill the space but I knew they would grow eventually! 2 years on I’m having to drastically cut the plants back as they’ve flourished so much I almost can’t cope! One eucalyptus plant was only a couple of foot when I planted it and is now over 8ft tall.
The thing I reflect on is how subtly and undramatically this growth happened. Despite looking at my garden most days, I didn’t notice the change every day; it was subtle, slow and very unremarkable. But now I sit in the garden surrounded (and a bit overwhelmed!) by the size, strength and beauty of those plants and I’m amazed. God reminded me that this is often the way he works in our lives. I think often we are hoping for (or looking for) the dramatic answer to prayer, the quick progress, the sudden change in circumstances but I reflect that like in my garden, God is often at work without us realising. One day we will look back and realise how far we’ve come, how much has changed and how God has been working behind the scenes without us even realising. Often subtly, quietly, undramatically and yet so faithfully and lovingly.
I pray that my garden will always act as a constant reminder to me of the character of God: faithful, loving and always at work for my good."
Bio: Helen is a teacher who lives in Watford. She loves watching sport, paddle boarding and drinking tea.
Thank you all so much for looking at story of God connecting with his people. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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