Tag Archives: Thayerapy Gardens

Beauty everywhere

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White Fireworks – Thayerapy Gardens

 

“Beauty is everywhere when you know where to look for it.”

– Alice Herz-Sommer, 1903-2014

Beloved Pianist and Holocaust Survivor

 

Do you believe beauty is everywhere if you know where to look for it? If you lost loved ones to the Holocaust and were imprisoned yourself, would that still be your view?

 

It seems that few if any escape the prison that suffering brings. Be it for a day or a lifetime, torturous or merely a nagging interruption to a joyful life, be it physical, emotional, relational, or spiritual – we all come to know some degree of suffering and pain, for some a sorrow that enshrouds their entire world. It can become a darkness where little light seems to penetrate. But a holocaust survivor says she finds beauty everywhere. Another shares, “When you come out of Hell, you realize there are only a few important things in life: life itself, relationships, and faith.”

 

Actually, when it comes down to brass tacks, what choice do we have in the crucible of pain, sorrow, and suffering? We can’t escape it. It will demand we attend to it. But do we have to be crushed by it? Is there a way to transcend its vise grip on us? Can we choose to rise above it, to find our “more than a conqueror” spirit we are promised? Can we choose, like Job, to praise God while we scrape away the boils of pain that wrack our bodies and souls?

 

I don’t know of anyone who can do this in their own power, most certainly not me! In the midst of cancer I told God six times, “I give up. Take me home. I’m done with this.” I am convinced that my pain was small compared to what others’ endure and yet it was real enough for me. And each of those times, He held me patiently and lovingly, reminding me that His grace is indeed sufficient, even if I don’t sense it. We don’t have to sense God’s love for it to be real any more than a child who defies you even as you love them dearly.

 

I’ve decided to believe God at His Word even though I’m too feeble to understand it. His supernatural power within us continues to sustain us, no matter what this life throws at us. It is a calming peace that transcends all understanding. It might not calm the storm raging within us. But it is able to calm us in the middle of the storm. I don’t think it is a heroic act to believe this. I think it is a choice of faith if not desperation that in the midst of the darkness, His light will shine and reveal beauty yet to be found. What other choice would you make?

 

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

 

And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

 

 

Be transformed

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Stained Glass Monarchs - Thayerapy Gardens

‘Stained Glass Cathedrals’ – Thayerapy Gardens

Monarchs are the quintessential butterfly, easily recognized and greatly appreciated. I find it hard to imagine any stained glass cathedral more beautifully designed. I’m certainly delighted I came across these three in my gardens one day as evening was approaching!

 

But these gorgeous creations were not always so abundantly graced with beauty. As you know, they started out as common caterpillars. As they approach adulthood, their hormones change and they form a cocoon, hooked to the underside of a leaf. They turn around and lower themselves into the cocoon and prepare for a metamorphic process that will totally transform their life!

 

Inside the chrysalis, enzymes are released creating a chemical soup that totally consumes and digests the caterpillar’s body. If you were to interrupt this process too early you might conclude that the life of the caterpillar had ended. There would be nothing left to resemble its original form. But inside the body of the caterpillar sets of embryonic cells called ‘imaginal disks’ grow to form completely new parts  never seen before: wings, legs, antennae, and organs of the newly created butterfly. Nothing like this happens in vertebrate creation. But here in the life and seeming death of a simple caterpillar, a beautiful new creation is made.

 

Believe it or not, we are intended to go through this same process. We are designed to mature, turn around from our selfish ways, connect to God, and become transformed spiritually.  This process requires us to die to self and allow ourselves to be surrounded by His  creative and life-transforming grace. In our case of course, the outer shell of our body looks the same. But the spiritual rebirth manifests itself in a totally new creation. At least this is how it is intended. Calling ourselves Christian doesn’t make us followers of Christ any more than a caterpillar saying, “I can fly!”  But submitting ourselves to God’s transformational power creates a totally new life, one with power to soar on new wings and to reflect His glory. At last, you are no longer a crawling thing, but a new creation with a God-given purpose for an adventurous and fulfilling life!

 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

 

 

Bloom where you are planted

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Lamb’s Ear – Thayerapy Gardens

I like keeping Lamb’s Ear in my gardens. Some consider it a weed, perhaps because it is rather prolific. But to me it’s a thing of beauty and soft to touch.  It’s not edible like some of the other, less attractive weeds in the garden. For example, Purslane and Lamb’s Quarter have a quite sweet spinach-like taste when rinsed and boiled (and soaked in butter :-). But they don’t possess the beauty of the Lamb’s Ear. More over, Lamb’s Ear contains a God-given astringent substance that slows the bleeding of a wound. Its abundant and soft petals provide an adequate bandage if none other is available.  Not bad for a common weed!

 

I’m guessing we all could name a few ‘weeds’ in our ‘human garden’ of friends and acquaintances…and likely be named one as well.  And yet, like the common Lamb’s Ear flower, we are each created for a purpose with a different sort of beauty than the other flowers (and weeds) that surround us. Rather than trying to be like someone else, try to ‘bloom where you are planted‘ today.

 

To bloom means to be the person you were uniquely created to be. It is not just what you do, but the expression of God-in-you to those around. Don’t worry if others look more beautiful than you. Just bloom as you were created to be. Where you are is not some special place reserved for ‘ministry.’ You bloom wherever you happen to be at the time. It’s wherever you live and breathe and have your being. Blooming is an expression of life and praise and thankfulness. Don’t reserve it for special occasions. Planted implies there is an intentionality and purpose about your life. Sometimes you find yourself transplanted to a new city, neighborhood, job, or even a place of temporary isolation. As a flower stands firmly, bending with, not against the wind, plant yourself firmly and let your spiritual roots dig deep to bring nourishment to your soul right where you are planted.

 

Rejoice in the God-given characteristics only you uniquely possess and slow down enough to recognize these in others around you, even if they do at first seem a bit weedy.  Be useful to others and give God the glory for everything good that blooms in your community of relationships today.

 

Bloom where you are planted.

 

“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”  Jeremiah 29:4-7

 

 

Like a single grain of grass

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Prairie Grass or Fairy Grass?  -Thayerapy Gardens

 

For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall… ” 1 Peter 1:24

 

“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”  John 12:24

 

I have a prairie garden in my backyard. I suppose to the casual passer-by it might look like so many weeds the way the wildflowers and prairie grasses crowd one another in such an undisciplined manner. And indeed, there are weeds that find their own way in this spot of wild creation, often insisting on having more space  for themselves than perhaps would be warranted by a better gardener.  But still, I like the look of an untamed prairie garden. New flowers that I never planted spring up on their own to reflect the sunshine in my day.

 

The bible says we are like grass and the flowers of the field. They grow and then wither. Their flowers fall to the ground. I suppose you might think this a morbid thought. But really, it is just the opposite. The frailty of our lives lends scope and purpose to the way we live. Imagine if we lived our lives on earth as if they will never change, never end. We would quite wastefully flit around from this passing thing to that, and never amount to anything of value. We’d miss the beauty that surrounds us in search for something of greater grandeur. Instead, we can choose to be mindful of the season we have before us and live that well, bearing some resemblance to the one who created us and lending shelter to those little ones who seek relief from the storm.

 

The fact that we, like grass, live for a season and then die speaks not only to the focus of our very day but also to the lives that follow.   Unless a single grain of wheat dies and falls to the ground, it remains just one seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Called to ‘die to self,’ our testimony of faithfulness and goodness likewise produces many other seeds, bringing new life to follow our own.  We don’t do this of our own power of course, but in the name and power of a Master Gardener, the creator of life itself, and the one who specializes in the regeneration of life.

 

Rejoice in being like grass. Live a fruitful life!

 

 

Slow down

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‘Bee’ one who slows down. – Thayerapy Gardens

 

“Slow down. Take a deep breath. What’s the hurry? Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway? But you say, ‘I can’t help it. I’m addicted to alien gods. I can’t quit.’ ” Jeremiah 2:25

 

 

I’ve always had a certain fascination with bees, how they charge about like roaring winged lions with golden manes and a nearly addictive focus on discovering new sources of pollen to gather and take back to their hive. If there were an illustration of productivity for high achievers, this might be it. And talk about a purpose larger than yourself: while the bees go about their business of making a life for themselves and their future generations, they perform an amazing service to us by pollinating the creations that sustain us with food and life itself.

 

I noticed too, how during the heat of the day it was immensely difficult to follow a single bee. They were just too busy, energized by the heat of the sun. But I learned that if you observed them as the afternoon breezes cooled, they slowed down, just long enough for me to grab a photo like this one as they rested on my Sedum plants.

 

The prophet Jeremiah warned the people of his day to slow down. They were working themselves into a frenzy, searching after ‘alien gods.’ “I can’t quit,” they lamented. Have you ever felt like that? Like you are spinning out of control on some cosmic merry-go-round and can’t stop? Like what you are chasing with such ambition and passion isn’t even the “real thing” but rather something alien to what you were meant to be pursuing?

 

There is good news to heed: Slow down. Take time to look beyond yourself. Pause for a moment to reflect on what you are chasing and ask yourself if it is really worth it. There’s nothing wrong with making a living but it is so much more important to make a life!  Plan some times during the day to slow down and take a deep breath. Stop wearing yourself out for something that doesn’t fulfill. Just because you can measure a goal doesn’t make it worth pursuing. Instead of pursuing alien gods, stop and look on the One and Only True God who never changes and never wears out. Slow down long enough to grab the vision He has for you and for your life. Breathe deeply the breath of life He freely gives to you even in the busyness of your day.

 

“Slow down. Take a deep breath. What’s the hurry? Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway?” Jeremiah 2:25

 

 

Consider the lilies of the field

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Scarlet O’Hara Lily – Thayerapy Gardens

“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.” Matthew 6:28-29

 

The last days of summer cause me to pause and reflect on the marvels that surround me. This photo from one of our past gardens speaks to the joy of God’s creation.

 

We mortals worry and fret about so many things, most of which are of little or no consequence. Even the ‘big’ worries of life are not moved by our fretful way of thinking. This lily has long passed. Having shared its beauty with others who stopped to notice it has since begotten other lilies that have followed, bringing a testimony of praise to the greatness of God, and humbling us a bit in the process.   Jesus told stories about this, how we worry about making a living, having food to eat, clothes to wear. And yet, our great, creative and merciful God cares for even the ‘least’ of His creations and adorns them with such amazing beauty. How much more does He care for us!

 

Better that we toss our worries aside and find something in which we can marvel today; something that speaks to the greatness of God, of this amazing life He has graciously bestowed upon us, and on the beauty that we have to reflect toward others, while we have this day.

 

“Consider the lilies…” indeed!