Dear Friends

Just recently I made an opportunity to spend the inside of a day quietly on my own in a beautiful room overlooking a wonderful view and garden. It was a bit of a culture shock as I spent the first 45 minutes sitting doing absolutely nothing: looking out of the window at the movement and activity of the animals, birds, trees and plants in the garden and listening to the sound of the rain. The daffodils were going over as the tulips were just coming out. There was nothing static about the garden; it was a hive of activity. It was living and changing naturally in its own time peacefully, in harmony with its environment.

I felt very privileged to be able to make some space and time in beautiful surroundings just to be myself in the world, before God without any expectations.

Many roles and situations in life have privileges as well as responsibilities; opportunities which are life-giving or offer the potential for transformation. Sometimes it can be difficult to appreciate the good things in life from the smallest of moments to the most major of occasions. Many of them come along only once and cannot be repeated. I know myself how easy it is to be preoccupied, to miss the daily joys if I am not careful; living anywhere else but in the present! Where are the moments in our days, for which we are grateful?

There are opportunities to appreciate the gifts and creativity of life. As I write preparations seem almost complete for the Songs to Delight concert and plans are well under way for our Flower Festival, which feels like it is going to be a feast of flowers and music.

The Celtic tradition of Christianity reminds us that God has given us this good earth, the source of our life. God placed Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. In their dissatisfaction they desired to be as God is and took matters into their own hands, leading to their expulsion from the garden. The risen Christ met Mary in the garden. He called her by name and she recognized him. They were present to one another.

God has often been associated with gardens. Dorothy Frances Gurney wrote God’s Garden in 1913:

The kiss of the sun for pardon, The song of the birds for mirth, One is nearer God’s Heart in a garden Than anywhere else on earth.

I give thanks for all those who make space in their homes for others to come for a little while to take time to appreciate gardens and quietness through The Quiet Garden Trust (Tel 01753 643050, email: quiet.garden@ukonline.co.uk

Yours in Christ,

Ruth