Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Garden (09/07/06)
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TITLE: Water, Sunshine and Love | Previous Challenge Entry
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09/09/06 -
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An old swing still hung from the oak in the corner and what was left of an old wooden arbor lay in pieces before it. This was where she had learned her ABC’s and how to count, where Nana had taught her how to plant flowers and keep the weeds at bay. It was where she hid when the arguing between her mother and Nana became so fierce that she had to get away. But most of all, it was where she’d learned about Jesus.
She pushed on the seat a few times, testing its strength before sitting. Rose-scented air brushed across her cheeks as she closed her eyes and allowed herself to go back in her mind to a place she’d forgotten.
“Swing me, Nana.”
“Come here, child, and I’ll teach you how to plant these daisies.”
Madeline climbed down from the swing, her short four-year-old legs barely reaching the ground.
“See here,” Nana dug a small hole. “Now we just have to put it in,’ she said as she removed the plant from its container and handed it to Madeline.
“Like this?” Madeline placed the flower in the hole and smiled.
“There you go. Now fill the dirt back in.”
“Will it grow tall?” Madeline asked as they pushed the remaining dirt around the plant.
“As tall as it should, Maddy-mine.”
“Nana, what makes the flower grow?”
“Oh, plenty of water and sunshine. And the weeding. Remember when we pulled the weeds the other day?”
Madeline nodded, her reddish-blonde curls bouncing on her shoulders. Sunlight glinted in her blue eyes, causing them to sparkle and dance. “And what else, Nana?”
Nana rose, brushing the dirt from her pants. She picked Madeline up in her arms and went over to the swing. They sat and began to rock gently.
“What else? Love, Maddy-mine. It needs water, sunshine, and love. You know where the love comes from, don’t you?”
Madeline looked into her Nana’s eyes, understanding even at such a young age the seriousness of the question. “Yes Nana,” she said. “Love comes from Jesus.”
Her reverie was interrupted by the rustling sounds of a mouse foraging for its dinner. There’d been many more afternoons in the garden like that one. Many flowers planted, many weeds pulled, many hymns sung as Nana continued to teach her about the love of Christ.
Pain cut through her heart, like the ripping of a weed from the ground. Her last memory of Nana was of seeing her in the doorway, crying as Mama drove them away for good. Years of pushing the pain away and a busy life had helped her forget. One hour in the garden had brought it all back.
“Is this what my heart looks like to you now, Lord? Filled with thorns and vines, squeezing out the love until there is none left? When Mama took us away from here I thought you didn’t love me anymore.”
"Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.”
Falling to her knees, Madeline began to let go of the pain as sobs racked her body. Holding her prisoner, it had colored every aspect of her life. She cried away the pain of losing her Nana and the belief that God had forgotten her.
Her tears subsiding, Madeline clasped her hands and prayed, “I’m sorry, Lord, for turning my back on you, for believing you had left me.”
“I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”
Madeline wiped her eyes and rose, looking around. There was something she needed to do. Weeds had to be pulled, new flowers planted. What this garden needed was plenty of water, sunshine, and above all, love.
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"And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.”
Scripture reference: John 15:9, Heb. 13:5, Isa. 58:11 (NASB)
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