Many of you wrote me about the videos I shared of Sara’s new garden. It is a joy to live in the middle of this.
But there’s another story here. Sara saw this garden before we ever moved into his house and if you saw what the yard looked like when we bought the place, you wouldn’t believe it. So, I thought I’d show you in seven different before and after pictures that my grandson made into a video this weekend.
As various craftsmen were out doing things in the backyard from replacing the old drain pipes that were filled with palm roots to putting in lights, they would ask Sara about positioning things. It was amazing to watch her as she had already mapped out the garden in her mind. “Let’s see, that tree is there, the rose bush is here and here, so put the light there,” she would say pointing to an exact spot on a barren piece of land.
When I see this video, I think of what Father sees in us even before he begins his work. He doesn’t even see the barren places because he is already visualizing how he is going to fill them with beauty. Isaiah 46:10 says it so wonderfully, “(He declares) the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My plan will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure . . . ”
Even better, as Sara was doing it with her garden, God was doing it with changing the barren places of her recently-discovered trauma into a garden of great beauty. He, like Sara, makes all things new.
What does he see in you that you cannot yet see?
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My oh my! What a stunning transformation! From brownish blah to verdantly vibrant! I have been following your story for years, heartstoppingly as you wound through the prickly painful times, and now cheering alongside as you keep revealing all God is doing! Beauty from ashes for sure. I wait for Friday to hear the next installment of this inspirational life giving story! My life has been affected deeply by SA and I am thankful to have your brave sharing keep me on the path of healing. May Father continue to bless and keep you both in his arms. Love, from Canada. ps (when I think about who I am excited about visiting with in heaven….you two are on my list!) hope that doesn’t sound weird!!!? 🙂
No, Lori, that doesn’t sound weird at all. We’d be happy to sit down with you in a better garden and share the wonders of his love for us. Surviving SA is not easy for anyone and we bless you for continuing in the struggle to find your freedom and fullness in him! Sara was touched by your comment, as was I. Keep going, Lori, into all Father has for you. What the enemy sought to devour, he will make whole. God bless you and may his beauty be revealed in you too with ever-increasing glory.
Wayne, that is so impressive. I wish I had the skills (and funds) to make such a beautiful yard. When I need to “get away” I love to go camping in the mountains where cell phones don’t work, wildlife creatures come out from everywhere. This is our monsoon season and I just love the rain…..true Arizonian. It smells so fresh and the summer temperature drops. After we met, I have gone through some “stuff” with organized religion and this post reminds me that God will complete my life in His beautiful way. Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome, Rhonda. This is God’s doing for sure and he’s good at going the distance. Blessings to you.