Gardening With Sheri

My friend, Sheri Peterson, who also lost her husband, wrote this post today, and it resonated with me. I'm sharing it with you, with her permission: I took a break from practicing and worked in my yard for a bit. While pulling a few weeds, planting some anemone bulbs, and spreading more mulch around I thought on all the beautiful flowers in my garden. I wouldn't say that any of them are my most favorite. I love them all.

I love how the pink peonies are vibrant and one of the first to bloom. Although they don't last long, they add so much, and I wouldn't want to be without them. The oriental poppies don't last long either, but the huge flowers (larger than my hand) are breath taking and I enjoy them while they are in bloom. Some of my other flowers bloom from spring to the end of summer. Whether a flower has a short or long life span they fulfill a purpose and bring me joy.

I love how the dainty gaura spikes out and over other flowers. And I love the look of the lavendar and its aromatic scent. The leaves of the penstemon add a nice contrast and when it blooms it will be striking. The lemon thyme creeps almost out of view as a ground cover, but even that adds beauty. It is exciting to watch as the purple dinner plate dahlias poke their heads out of the ground, beginning to grow up through the mulch. Man! Those flowers will be beautiful!

Roses, of course, I can't forget the roses. I certainly have many beautiful roses (and some volunteer violets growing by them). Yet, as much as I love roses, my garden wouldn't be complete without a vast array of flowers, with different colors, different shapes, different heights, and different scents.

People are like flowers. Some bloom early, some bloom late. Some have a short life span, others a long one. They come in all kinds of colors, shapes, and sizes. Some are more prominent, while others remain more in the background. Yet, it takes all kinds of people to make a beautiful "garden." Each person brings their own unique talents, gifts, and beauty to this world. While a single person is beautiful, everyone combined is spectacular.

I don't garden because I have to. I garden because it brings me joy. I believe the same is true of Heavenly Father. He "gardens" because it brings Him joy. And each one of us contribute to that joy. Just like I love everyone of my flowers, He loves everyone of His children.