Guardian of the Garden

The Guardian of the Garden

He’s a guardian of the garden, 

Though he’s made from pots of clay.

He sits and watches in the daytime;

At night, I wonder if he dances and plays.

Amongst the crops, plants, and moonlight.

Do you think he twists and spins?

Might he do a two-step with the sunflowers?

Did he just mischievously grin?

The gourds and the pumpkins,

The grasses and changing leaves glow;

Growing within this tended co-op,

Putting on Autumn’s spectacular show.

My friend has a lovely view of the mountainside,

And he is kissed by the gentle rains.

But with such charm and simplicity,

No one would ever describe him as plain.

So if you see the guardian in the flower bed,

Watching o'er the things of God’s great earth …

You may hear the echo of his laughter,

In the evening, it’s a sign of his joyful mirth! 

When I saw this guardian of the garden, my mind immediately took a fanciful flight. He watches over all who work here and all that grows here, and it was a delight to create a bit of whimsy. Most of us are blessed with enough to eat, enough water to drink, and the resources to provide for our own needs and those of our families. But in many places, even in our own cities, that is not the case. We have pan-handlers in our towns; those in need are all around us.

In many ways, God’s children are meant to be a co-op. We are to work in cooperation with God’s Spirit—to meet the needs of children, widows, our neighbors, friends, and family members. So I was thinking: Who does God want you to be a Guardian of? Who has He entrusted you with? Who has He surrounded you with that needs your attention, your love, your helping hand?

“If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. 11 And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail (ESV).” Isaiah 58: 10 & 11

If we are blessed, I believe it is so that we can, in turn, be a blessing. Who can you bless with His love?

A Short Bible Study: Philippians 2:4, John 13:34-35, Galatians 6:9-10, James 2:14-17, and Hebrews 13:6. 

Dear Lord, may I be a guardian, a watchful servant of those around me. Let me be Your eyes, have Your heart and sweet spirit to see and hear the needs around me. Use my life to be a light in the darkness, a helping hand, and a compassionate soul who seeks to help others' lives flourish for Your kingdom. Amen

by: deborah goshorn-stenger 2 Pause and Praise Creations ©