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Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT

'God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.'

One of the charms of St Cuthbert’s Oratory is the garden. Largely laid to lawn, Jayne and I are creating different themed areas. The far end is becoming a wild area. Success with veg in pots has encouraged us to establish raised beds and our own mini orchard. As for colours, Jayne is thoughtfully ensuring we have splashes of flower or berry throughout the year. This garden is appreciated by visitors on quiet days or retreats for its quiet refreshment.

All of nature offers up a beauty, and working with it feels as though we are crafting holy spaces in companionship with God. Seedlings planted in pots slowly make their way from shed to soil, yielding their flower and fruit in due season. At times they look bedraggled, near extinction battling frost and snow, yet emerge to do exactly what they promise on the tin – or seed packet.

Destiny is buried deep within each seed. Similarly, eternity is sown deep within the human heart. Over years of accompanying individuals on their life’s journey, I am in awe at the way God cultivates great beauty amid huge challenges and seasons of sadness or confusion. For each of us is beautiful, uniquely crafted in the image of our creator. Our times are forever changing and seasonal, much like a garden.

Our problem is we become focused upon a moment in time and neglect to consider the spring and summer, past and future. I may in fact despair of ever enjoying such seasons again, yet I’m reminded I can take comfort in the fact that God sees no less beauty in tough times, for God can make everything, everyone, beautiful in its own time.

QUESTION: Do you look for and see beauty in other people?

PRAYER: Lord, I am grateful that you are a Master Gardener, knowing how all things can bear fruit, flourish and bring beauty to the world.