The Secret Garden Chronicles ~ A Lenten Devotion - Updated for 2023

UPDATE:  In my last post HERE a couple of days ago, I asked the question "Do you practice Lent? What does it mean to you? Do you "give up something for Lent", or do you try to do something meaningful to observe the preparation for the Easter season?"  I got several varied and interesting responses to this question.  My thought was that perhaps there is a bit of a misconception out there about what "Lent" really means.   According to "Wikipedia", (a surprising resource for something in the religious realm), this is what it means: 

"Lent is the solemn Christian religious observance in the liturgical year commemorating the 40 days Jesus Christ spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, before beginning his public ministry. Wikipedia"

 Traditionally, Lent is the 40 days prior to Easter, beginning with Ash Wednesday and ending on "Maundy Thursday", when we remember the 'Last Supper',  the night before Good Friday, the day we remember the great sacrifice of Christ for our sins on the cross.  I know that in some church traditions the season of Lent is a time of fasting and/or "giving up something for Lent"...and also the giving of "alms" for the needy.   Perhaps some have had negative experiences with Lent, when they were forced to give up something special for that time period without truly understanding the significance of why they should do so.  To me, if a person really doesn't understand the "why", then most likely the desired results of growing closer in their relationship with Christ probably won't happen. They will become resentful and possibly angry for having to give up something when they really didn't want to. 

I was not brought up in a tradition of "giving up something for Lent".  I really don't recall understanding anything about Lent at all as a child and even as a young adult.  But in recent years I have found that setting aside this time, much like the season of Advent in preparation for the birth of Christ and its deep significance, Lent is a time to prepare our hearts for a better understanding of the great sacrifice Christ made for me on the cross...when His precious blood was shed for me and for my sins...so that I could enjoy the great joy of being set free from my sins, and because of Christ's resurrection from the dead...I can also look forward to eternal life in heaven, forever with my Lord and those who also have died in faith believing in Him.  Certainly, I can do this anytime. I don't need to wait for "Lent", but so often we get caught up in the busyness of this life and world and we begin to get a bit off kilter...we need a "reset" and a time of reflection and renewal in our spiritual life.  This is a wonderful time to do that.  

Here is what I wrote a couple of years ago...interestingly these first couple of pictures were in February of 2020, and our bluebirds are here again now at the same time, and I think they are already pretty well settled in their house/nest.  

(February 17, 2021) The Bluebirds came back again to their home on Still Waters Pond. I hope they will stay this time. They keep coming and going and can't seem to make  up their minds if they like it here or not. 

This post was originally written in 2017 on the first day of Lent from my Secret Garden at our old house in Salt Springs. I then revisited it in 2019.  I wanted to write something fresh and new today, but as I re-read this I decided I couldn't really improve on this...and as it is too chilly this morning to go sit in our new "The Secret Garden" beside Still Waters Pond,  these thoughts and moments from the past experience will have to do for now.  I pray that your Lenten experience will be filled with moments of peace and "quietude", as you contemplate the riches of God's amazing grace and love for you.

Original Post 3/1/2017:

Today is the beginning of the season of Lent... click HERE for more information about the meaning of Lent (according to Wikipedia).   

And then click HERE for one of my previous posts regarding this topic.

As I have stated in my previous post linked above,

 "My approach to Lent is that it is not so much about making a "sacrifice", as it is about moving forward in the right direction, a new beginning; a clear resolve to obey rather than sacrifice."

So today as I sat in the Secret Garden

(This was in "The Secret Garden" at our previous home in Salt Springs)

contemplating how the Lord would have me approach this Lenten season this year, I was directed to look at a few different scriptures:

Joel 2

12.  "Now, therefore, says the Lord, 

Turn to Me with all your heart,

with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.

13.  So rend your heart, and not your garments;

Return to the Lord your God,

For He is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger, and of great kindness;

And He relents from doing harm.

Romans 12:1-2

1.  "I beseech you therefore brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that you present your bodies a living sacrifice,

HOLY, Acceptable to God,

which is your reasonable service.

2.  And do not be conformed to this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,

that you may prove what is that good and acceptable

will of God."

And then in verse 6 it says:

"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us,

let us use them..."

Instead of sacrificing some thing for Lent, my prayer is that I would turn to the Lord with ALL My heart...truly "rend" (tear open, look inside) my heart, and  be that "living sacrifice, HOLY, ACCEPTABLE TO THE LORD; and that I would be more fully committed to using the gifts that God has given me for His honor and glory.  I pray also that the Lord would transform me, renew my mind, and create a clean heart within me.  (Psalm 51:10)

In the past few days I have been contemplating the word "Quietude".  Click HERE for a previous post about that.   I truly didn't realize that this was a real word that we use in our vocabulary. I thought it was a Latin word for quiet, and actually I believe that is where it originated.  But here is the definition of the word according to Dictionary.com"

qui·e·tude

ˈkwīəˌt(y)o͞od/

noun

1. 
   

   1.
   

   the state of being quiet; tranquility; calmness; stillness; quiet.

My "One Word" for 2017 is "REST".  It would appear that "quietude" and "rest" go together quite nicely.    I'm wondering how the Lord is going to dovetail these two words as I approach His throne during this season of opening my heart before Him...

"For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:

'In returning and REST you shall be saved;

In QUIETNESS and confidence

shall be your strength.'"

Isaiah 30:15

"The work of righteousness will be peace,

and the effect of righteousness,

quietness and assurance forever."

Isaiah 32:17

"You will keep him in perfect peace,

whose mind is stayed on You,

because he trusts in You."

Isaiah 26:3

I believe that God is leading me into a place of "perfect peace", as I REST and TRUST in His Word, and in "quietness and confidence" be assured of God giving me the strength I need to face whatever challenges may lie ahead.

I look forward to experiencing what the Lord is going to show me during this time of "quietude", as He prepares my heart to remember Christ's great sacrifice for my sins...and the 

gift of eternal life that He gave to all of us who would believe, on His Resurrection Day!

Hold on friends, 

Easter is coming!

(All photos were taken as I sat in the Secret Garden today (in 2017) contemplating these thoughts and passages. I found it to be a very tranquil and serene setting watching the Cardinal and the Chickadees...as they watched me as well.  God is so good! Amen?!)

Back to the Present (2023).  I hope you enjoyed this journey back in time and that it was a quiet respite for your soul. May we truly appreciate this time of reflection and renewal during these next 40 days, on our journey to the cross and then thankfully, to the empty tomb!  Praise God!  Many of you may have already commented on this post in previous years. Sometimes it is interesting to go back and see where we were in our thoughts at that time.  May we continue in our growth in our relationship with Jesus. Amen.

It's Sunday...A Day of Rest

 It's Sunday, and I am home instead of being at Sunday school and church.  Had a bit of a "bug" yesterday and today, and I just needed to stay home and let my body heal.  I've been taking a lot of little naps...seems like that is what is needed most.  This morning after hubby left for church I decided to treat myself to being a "guest" in my own house and went and laid down on the bed in the guest room to see what it would feel like to be a guest here. LOL. 

I pulled Nanny Martin's restored quilt* up over me, and I went to sleep pretty quickly, so that is a good sign that the room is cozy and comfy.

Then I made the bed back when I got up so I wouldn't be tempted to lay back down...

I am enjoying the new little shabby chic nightstand that was given to me by my son at Dixie Cottage, and am very grateful to have it.

It will be a nice spot to put a cup of tea and a good book when I feel like reading...

And when I awaken from my nap I can refresh myself with a pitcher of warm water...(or I could just go across the hall to the bathroom where there is real running hot and cold water! LOL)

*(That photograph is of my hubby's "Nanny Martin", who created that quilt originally. See this link for the story about this quilt being restored)

Speaking about being restored...

Anyway, I am thankful for the comforts of home when I don't feel up to being out there in the world. Sometimes we just need to "retreat' and let our body be restored.

Interestingly the sermon today at church is from the 23rd Psalm. How do I know? Well, our Pastor records his messages ahead of time to put on the church website so that people who are shut in at home can go online and hear the message and also sing along with the choir on one of the hymns.  Our choir pre-records the song at our practice time earlier in the week, so that is why you will notice that I am singing in the choir when I am not there at church today. LOL.  Here it is for you if you want to listen to a good message and hear us singing "Oh, How I Love Jesus!"

"There is a name I love to hear; I love to sing its worth

It sounds like music in my ear, the sweetest name on earth.

O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus

Because He first loved me.

It tells me of a Savior’s love, who died to set me free

It tells me of His precious blood, the sinner’s perfect plea.

O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus

Because He first loved me.

It tells me what my Father hath in store for every day

And, tho’ I tread a darksome path, yields sunshine all the way.

O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus

Because He first loved me.

It tells of One whose loving heart can feel my deepest woe

Who in each sorrow bears a part that none can bear below.

O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus

Because He first loved me."

While I was sitting here writing this to you I was blessed by a little visitor out on the porch. I couldn't get a good picture of him while he was sitting on the porch rail right outside my window, but he soon moved out to perch on the post that holds one of our birdhouses, and there he posed for me so sweetly so I could share him with you:

Isn't he sweet? This is a little Eastern Phoebe, and he is a welcome visitor since he loves to catch flies and bugs.  You can often hear them calling "Phoebe, Phoebe" as they sit and watch for the bugs to appear.

This was a sweet gift to see him today. I love the ways God blesses us when we need little reminders of His Presence.

This little bird sits "Beside the Still Waters" here at our own Still Waters Pond...,

very fitting with the sermon today from the 23rd Psalm, where God leads us beside the still waters...where He restores our soul...

A Psalm of David.

Psalm 23

 "1 The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

3 He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever."

I hope this has been a refreshing and restorative retreat for you today. May the Lord bless you and keep you in peace.

Amen.

\

Is It Time To Dance? Updated

This post was originally written on June 28, 2014, just a little over one month after the passing of our dear son Matthew from this life to heaven, following a four year battle with cancer.  When I wrote this I was still  reeling from the pain of saying farewell to our son, and trying to cope with the reality of never seeing him again on this earth.  Now, as of today, 5/25/2022, it has been eight years since that day. A lot has happened in this span of time...we've added new members to our family, and we've said farewell to some other dear ones.  By the time we reach heaven's gates ourselves, I have a feeling there will be more of us waiting there than there are here. It's just the way life is.  Today I haven't really felt like writing...our nation is grieving over the horrific tragic loss of so many precious children and teachers in Uvalde, Texas. My heart is breaking and grieving with those families who have lost their precious children to a crazed madman.  They didn't have the opportunity to say good bye to their child...they had no time to prepare for their unexpected passing from this earth to heaven. Their hearts are broken...for them there is no sense of peace or comfort at this time.  Some may never get to the place where they will feel like it is time to dance ever again. But I pray for them...I pray that God will wrap His loving arms around them and cradle them close to His heart and just hold them, reassuring them of His great love and compassion...and helping them to know that their precious child is safe with Him now...they need not fear for their children anymore...they are where there will be no more crying, no more pain, no more sorrow or fear.  Safe in the arms of Jesus...there can be no better place to be. May God comfort them with those thoughts...and may they be at peace with God, knowing that they will one day be reunited because of their faith in Christ.  That is my prayer for them.  That is what comforts me eight years later. I pray they will also know this great comfort. Amen.

Here is the original post I wrote eight years ago:

"Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,

For in You do I trust;

Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,

For I lift up my soul to You."

Psalm 143:8

Today I read in "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young the following passage:

"Rest with Me a while. You have journeyed up a steep, rugged path in recent days.

The way ahead is shrouded in uncertainty.  Look neither behind you nor before you.

Instead, focus your attention on Me, your constant Companion.  Trust that I will equip you fully

for whatever awaits you on your journey."

Actually this particular devotional was written for yesterday's date, but I didn't look at it until today. No matter, it is still appropriate and right on.  Yes, I have journeyed up a "steep, rugged path in recent days." Saying farewell to our precious son until we reunite in heaven still seems unreal. Since his earthly home was over 1500 miles away from us anyway, it is easy to allow myself to think that he's still there waiting for us to come up and visit again.  But then the reality hits, and I remember that he's not there...and it will most likely be a long time before we see him again.

My husband the preacher says that time in heaven is not something they are focused upon like we are here on earth.  That is hard for us to understand because we are so governed by time. We must make every minute count, we can never be late, time is of the essence, hurry up and wait...

King Solomon thought about time quite a bit.  In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 he wrote:

"To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven;

A time to be born,

And a time to die;

A time to plant,

And a time to pluck what is planted;

A time to kill,

And a time to heal;

A time to break down,

And a time to build up;

A time to weep,

And a time to laugh;

A time to mourn,

And a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones,

And a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace,

And a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to gain,

And a time to lose;

A time to keep,

And a time to throw away;

A time to tear,

And a time to sew;

A time to keep silence,

And a time to speak;

A time to love,

And a time to hate;

A time of war,

And a time of peace."

I am still adjusting to this "new time" in my life.  I am not sure what time it is...I believe I am somewhere in the "time to weep and a time to laugh...A time to mourn, and a time to dance".  There are still moments when I feel like weeping and mourning...but there are also times that I want and need to laugh...and I find myself wanting to dance. Not a frenzied kind of dance...not even a waltz...just a holy dance between me and my Lord...where I allow Him to take the lead and twirl me around in His strong and capable arms...lifting me up above my grief and sorrow and showing me the new path that we will travel together. Such a lovely thought.

I am blessed beyond measure...I am not totally bereft of family...I still have my wonderful husband, two healthy and strong sons, a wonderful daughter in law and marvelous grandson...plus many other loved ones near and far.  I do not want to appear to be wallowing in self-pity or lacking in gratitude for all that God has done for me.  But there is this empty place in this mother's heart...a space that will always be missing that one precious son who has gone on to glory much too soon. 

Our precious son, Matthew.

2/25/1973 ~ 5/25/2014

So, what time is it in your  life?  I guess what I am learning is that no matter what season of life we may be in, there is much to learn...and we don't need to feel that we are all alone. God has promised to be with us in our life's journey...from beginning to end.  Perhaps you may discover that it is time for you to let Him take the lead...and just dance. I think I am beginning to understand that better now too.

Advent Rest - Revisited Again!

This is another repeat Advent message, written in 2017 (and repeated last year too). I will leave it just the way it was written...it is still very much applicable today. I still need to learn about "rest"...  I hope you will enjoy this message and be blessed by it.

Original Message:

In preparation for the beginning of the Advent season we read in our devotions the following passage from Ezekiel 34:11-16:

Ezekiel 34:11-16(NKJV)

God, the True Shepherd

11 ‘For thus says the Lord God: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. 

12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day. 

13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country. 

14 I will feed them in good pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 

15 I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down,” says the Lord God. 

16 “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment.”

After reading this I couldn't help but think about this following passage in Isaiah 40:11, followed by Christ speaking to us in Matthew 11:28-29.  I have inserted a video excerpt from Handel's Messiah with this beautiful message.  

Isaiah 40:11(NKJV)

11 

He will feed His flock like a shepherd;

He will gather the lambs with His arm,

And carry them in His bosom,

And gently lead those who are with young.

Matthew 11:28-29 (NKJV)

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Listening to this helps me to calm my spirit and prepare my heart for the Advent of our Lord...yes, as a babe in the manger at Christmas...but also as we look forward to His soon return to redeem His beloved sheep..., for "WE are His people, and the sheep of His pasture"...

Psalm 100 (NKJV)

A Song of Praise for the Lord’s Faithfulness to His People

1 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!

2 

Serve the Lord with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing.

3 

Know that the Lord, He is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

4 

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.5 

For the Lord is good;

His mercy is everlasting,

And His truth endures to all generations.

As we approach this Christmas season, let us pause to reflect on the true mission of that babe in the manger...it was not to give us a reason to go out and buy expensive gifts and shop til we drop and do all kinds of crazy things in the name of Christmas...but to celebrate the One who came to seek His sheep as the True Shepherd, Who came to "seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick;", and to "feed His flock like a shepherd;

He will gather the lambs with His arm,

And carry them in His bosom,

And gently lead those who are with young." 

and to "give you rest."

As we approach the end of this year it is fitting that I should be reminded of the One Who came to give me REST...Yes, rest for my body, my mind, and my soul...

If you recall, my "One Word" for 2017 was "REST"... and I am not too sure that I followed that admonition too well all year long...but I have learned that when I am weary Jesus is always there to give me rest...I just need to allow Him into my busy-ness...and take His yoke upon me, and learn from Him.

My prayer for you and for myself as we enter this busiest of all seasons of the year, is that we will indeed let Jesus give us "REST" in the midst of our celebrations and joyous activities with loved ones and friends. Take time out to spend time alone with Him, reading His Word, meditating upon Him, and enjoying all the beauty and wonders of the season around us.

Have a blessed, peaceful, restful Advent Season!  

The Secret Garden Chronicles, Day 5: Rest = Silence=Worship Revisited

This was originally written a couple of years ago, when the Secret Garden was a new place for me to sit and "rest" and pray and worship the Lord. I am sorry to say that I have fallen away from that daily habit in the years since, although I do still go out there periodically when I really need to just be "silent" before the Lord. I think I am due for a visit, but not today. It's been raining non-stop all day and is about 48 degrees out there right now. However, since this is a Sunday afternoon, my thoughts have been on resting in the Lord. This past week was full of turmoil in the world, and my heart and soul need a rest from the news and sorrow of how dark our nation is becoming.  So come along with me as we enter the Secret Garden and sit silently and give our hearts and minds some "rest".

Original Post 1/28/17:

As we enter the Secret Garden today, this song comes back to me once again:

"The Lord is in His holy temple,

The Lord is in His holy temple;

Let all the earth keep silence,

Let all the earth keep silence before Him,

Keep silence, keep silence before Him."

Amen

In yesterday's post I wrote about Psalm 37, and in the process of reading that passage, verse 7 in particular...please note where it says "REST in the Lord...", there is a reference in my Bible that says the words "Rest in the Lord" literally means "Be silent to the Lord, and it gives a reference to Psalm 62:1, which says "Truly my soul silently waits for God..."

Well, since writing yesterday's post these words keep coming back to me, especially in the form of the call to worship chorus "The Lord Is In His Holy Temple", which is actually a quote from Habakkuk 2:20.  In trying to understand how the words "REST in the Lord" equates with the translation "Be SILENT to the Lord", the Lord drew my attention back to this song...and it's as if God is making a point here to me to notice something in this song that further explains what He means by REST=SILENCE.

Let us look at this music score together so we can further understand what God is telling me through this passage:

Do you see where it says, "Let all the earth keep silence" and then there is a little note or musical symbol after the word SILENCE...and that symbol is actually called a REST, which means that the singer and the instruments literally stop and REST, or be SILENT for just that moment before continuing on to the next phrase/note.  If you will further "note" (pun intended) the REST comes again after "Let all the earth keep silence before Him, and then every time  after the word "Silence", there is another REST!  Do you see what I see???

Lord, I love that YOU are making this point, especially in light of the fact that my "One Word" for 2017 is REST...and here I am, attempting to do just that as I come before Your presence here in this place that has been set apart particularly for worship, meditation, and REST in You.  I am in awe of what You are showing me as we come together each day.  Even though we are learning here that REST=SILENCE, I am seeing that in this time of RESTing in You, and being SILENT to You, I am learning more about what it means to  truly WORSHIP YOU.  The only thing is, it really is difficult for me to be SILENT when everything we do here leads me to give You praise!  However, I know there is something beautiful in silently coming before the Lord...and waiting on You to lead the way.

These songs come to my mind and voice as I think about this...

"Open my eyes that I may see

Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me.

Place in my hands the wonderful key

that shall unclasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for Thee,

Ready my God, Thy will to see,

Open my eyes, illumine me,

Spirit Divine."

("Open My Eyes That I May See" by Clara H. Scott)

and

"Spirit of the Living God,

Fall fresh on me,

Spirit of the Living God,

Fall fresh on me.

Melt me, Mold me, Fill me, Use me.

Spirit of the Living God, 

Fall fresh on me."

("Spirit of the Living God" by Daniel Iverson)

Thank You, Lord, for allowing me to come into Your Presence each day.  As I leave this place today, I am refreshed and rested. I am learning more about what it means to be silent before the Lord...and to allow His soothing Presence to calm my spirit and fill me with His Spirit...and then I am better equipped to tackle whatever comes along.  

Praise God!

Amen.