1. Walking through a public garden I came across the strangest and most beautiful ancient garden gate. It was surrounded by lush and fragrant blossoms of every hue.
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| Internet Photo |
And beside the gate was this marvelous stone with the following inscription:
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| Internet Photo |
"Pause, friend, and read before you enter here.
This vine-clad wall encloses holy ground.
Herein a mellowed garden dreams away the years,
Steeped in serene sweet light and muted sound.
Herein tranquility and peace abide,
For God walks here at cool of evening-tide.
Pause, friend, and strip from out your heart
All vanity, all bitterness, all hate;
Quench, for this hour, the fever of your fears,
Then, treading softly, pass within this gate,
There, where the ancient trees wait, hushed and dim,
May you find God, and walk awhile with Him."
2. Truly in awe of what I could see, I stopped and pondered where it might lead.
3. Could it possibly be meant to just be admired or is it possible to actually open the gate and walk through it to find that tranquil, peaceful place? Could there truly be such a garden, where "the ancient trees wait, hushed and dim..."
Oh how marvelous if even, "for this hour" One could "quench...the fever of my fears"...Might I actually be able to "find God, and walk awhile with Him"?
What did I have to lose? The ancient stone suggests that "herein a mellowed garden dreams away the years.." All that I must do is "pause...and strip from out my heart all vanity, all bitterness, all hate..." and then just tread softly, and "pass within this gate"...and perhaps I may discover the beauty of spending a "cool evening tide", walking with my Lord.
And so I entered the gate and discovered this lovely bench, where I could sit a while and rest and contemplate the beauty of this place...
And I looked to my right as I sat down and noticed this lovely chalice filled with wine, and the bread...which was broken...for me?
I know I heard Him say, "Yes, child, for you...This is My body which is given for you...
Take and eat."
And then He said,
"Likewise, take the cup...This cup is the new covenant in My blood...shed for you...
Do this in remembrance of Me."
Oh! What joy and peace filled my heart...all my burdens and fears just melted away as I sat there in His Presence in this lovely garden...such comfort as I'd never felt before surrounded and enveloped me in a velvety mantle of love. It was difficult for me to even consider having to leave.
4. I'm so glad I decided to visit this garden today or I never would have known such peace could exist in this world. I learned something in that garden that I could take with me and remember anytime I found myself feeling alone or fearful...just take a moment to pause and draw near to the Lord...wherever I may be...and He will be there waiting for me....just through the garden gate of my heart and soul.
