Coffee and a Typewriter

I used to tell a story about a girl I knew. I admired her because she lived such a relaxed way of life and followed all of her dreams. She loved to sit in the sunshine, reading books and writing in her journals. Her favorite place to sit was in the back corner of her garden, where she could appreciate the colors from fruits, vegetables and flowers that burst forth like a rainbow – a garden that she lovingly created and cared for. She loved her dogs who laid at her feet, in the sunshine, while she read. Every once in a while, they’d bring a ball to her and without a thought, she’d begin to toss it. Time meant nothing to her. She drifted through her days as if it was a dance she did with fluid movement. Even at work, she was proficient, but relaxed and always smiling. After her day at work, she’d prepare a meal that was simple but beautiful; most coming from her own garden. She loved and embraced life…always.

Oh, how I admired everything about her. She would fill my mind, my dreams, my longings. I wanted to be just like her. Truth of the matter is, this girl was me. She was the imaginary girl who lived in my heart; who I chased after for years and years, but always seemed just outside of my reach.

While I’ve always had a zest for life, I’ve also had a very busy life. Even friends and family would comment on how busy we were and how difficult we were to get a hold of. We often would see ourselves coming and going. I sometimes wondered what the neighbors thought. They’d see me dash out for work, almost always late. I’d get home afterwards, only to run inside long enough to change and then we’d be back out the door to head for whatever was on the schedule for that evening.

Oh yeah…I sought that girl out with a vengeance!

It was four months before I turned 50 that my husband asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I couldn’t think of a single thing. I love perfume, jewelry, clothes…and all the other stuff that us girls enjoy, but I’m particular – and quirky – about things, so that’s something I never ask for.

It was during a Wednesday evening study, that I taught at church, I came across a verse that made me stop and read, re-read, and read again…

Hosea 10:12: ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’

It was like that moment in “Field of Dreams” where he heard, “If you build it, they will come.” I giggle at that now, but it was as if my heart burst wide open and I could swear I heard a whisper. I couldn’t wait for the group to end so I could call my husband.

When he answered the phone I blurted out, “I know what I want for my birthday!”

“What?!” he asked, sounding perplexed by my excitement.

“A garden! I want a garden! I want you to build me a big garden!” …and then a long pause.

Now let me explain, I’ve “tried” gardens in the past – which has always ended up with pots filled with little spindly, and pretty much dead, plants that never produced anything more than the size of a dime. The only reason they lasted as long as they did was because my husband, bless his heart, took over the watering when I would begin to abandon them. So, I’m sure my outburst caused him to think about all the work he would end up doing.

Which is probably why his first question was, “…and who is going to take care of this garden?” I blurted out quickly, “Me! It’s going to be my garden!” …another long pause.

It was like the child begging to keep the puppy, as I explained to him how “I know haven’t been good at taking care of a garden, but it’s always been because life was just so busy, and I promise, I’ll take care of it this time.” I told him about my study and how I read that verse and just really feel like I need a garden. That was enough for him. My husband would never stand in the way of something that I felt God whispered into my ear.

So that weekend, he headed for the hardware store to start buying the supplies. I had the perfect corner in my backyard and together we tore up the grass, tilled the earth, made the boxes – and began the design and creation of my garden.

Now, before I go any further…let me just say that I know Hosea 10:12 is not about planting a garden. But I do know that God used that verse to speak into the depths of my heart where “that girl” lives. It was as if He was showing me how to reach her…by reaching Him.

When I walked through my garden gate for the very first time, I prayed and asked God to always meet me there. I spent the early spring preparing the soil, understanding how beautiful earth worms are, planting my seedlings, watering and weeding. Through it all, I heard his whispers…showing me who I was and who He was.

I learned how my life is a reflection of my garden and my relationship with Him. How he prepares, plants, waters and weeds, to create something beautiful. The greatest part of the gardening process is the harvest season; when everything begins to bloom and grow until it turns into what it was meant to be all along. A tiny seed becomes something beautiful.

My favorite area of my garden is the back corner, where a pretty chair sits. I read books, write in my journals, and throw the ball for my dogs.

I believe that God has planted in each one of us a seed. We find the pieces in our dreams and longings, but it’s up to us to slow down, rest and listen. Life throws obstacles and discouragement and we begin to question them and can’t hear His whispers with all the noise.

So let me ask you. What are your dreams and longings? Have you always wanted to write, paint, take photographs, play a musical instrument…plant a garden? Maybe all of the above.

I want to encourage you to pursue whatever it is that tugs at the depths of your heart. When you begin to pursue those things…in a sense, you will be pursuing Him. You will begin to learn things about yourself that you never knew or maybe things you’ve tucked away. More importantly, He will teach you about Him as he begins to open the eyes of your heart.

Just like the seeds in a garden, He will reveal to you what you were meant to be all along.

I believe that one of the most often quoted Scriptures is the “Love is…” passage from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. We see it posted and re-posted on our social networking pages. We often hear it said or see it written at marriage ceremonies. It was said at mine. We see it framed on the walls of homes, because it truly is a wonderful passage.

But, I often wonder how often people really read this. How many read it and think, “I love that. It’s such a pretty message” and then just move right along without another thought. I’ll admit, I used to read it that way, because it really is a beautiful passage about love.

That said, it’s also a very powerful message; it’s what unconditional love looks like and how we should love one another. Since we are to follow the example of Christ Jesus, we need to practice these things.

Years ago, I learned to read it like this…place your own name where “Love” is written. That is, read each sentence with your name in front.

Wow, huh? Now, whenever I see this passage, it makes me stop and really read and feel these words. It makes me think about my life and how I express love to others. And while I often fall short of these lists of love, it gives me a guide – a direction – to follow in how I live my life each day.

And just thinking out loud here…but it might even be a good passage to print – or write in my own handwriting – and put on the fridge or mirror, so that when I read it each morning it will serve to focus in on my heart, before I step out the door and face the obstacles and conflicts of life. It would set my heart and mind on the blessings that I sometimes miss when I’m looking the wrong way.

What a great way to make God’s Word, which is living and breathing, more intimate and personal as we live this incredible journey with Him.

I love mornings like these. It’s not because of the beautiful weather, because it’s actually foggy and dreary out. It’s not because I woke up feeling energized for the day, because I could have slept a teensy bit longer. No, I love mornings like these, because even though it’s foggy and I’m on the tired side, my heart feels wide open. I always long for these kind of days to stick around for a while, but they often diminish when I allow the world around me to seep in. So today, I’ll cling to this moment.

My day often goes like this: wake up early, drink coffee, get on-line to check messages, read articles, drink more coffee, comment on friend’s posts, and then rush around getting ready because I spent too much time doing all of those other things. Today was such a morning and I got out the door late for work…again.

As I headed down the street and out of the neighborhood, I heard a familiar song on the radio. I sang a few bars and then silently and quickly asked God to fill me with His presence – and to help me see Him today. Amen. Short and easy…and rushed.

I caught all of the red lights on the way to the freeway that brings me to work. It figures. As I entered the freeway, I turned the music station up loud, as I always do. I drive a Wrangler and if you’ve ever driven or ridden in one, you know how loud they are. If you want to hear music, it must be up loud.

So, as I was listening to my favorite music station, “Word of God Speak” came on. Oh man, I just love that song. It speaks so deep into my heart and is such a beautiful and simple picture of how I like my quiet time with Him…even though it doesn’t always happen that way. So, I started singing along, listening to the wonderful words, just letting them fill my heart…and before I know it, my brain begins its drift.  I began thinking about my day ahead; what’s in my “To Do” folder to take care of, the e-mails that I still have to respond to, calls I need to make, paperwork I need to fill out…and as I got off the freeway, I realized that I didn’t even listen to the rest of the song.  Oh, how my brain betrays me. I hit two more red lights before entering the plant where I work. It figures. Isn’t that the way running-late-days go?

As all of stragglers raced through the (finally turned green) light, cars were stopping ahead and I thought, “Great. Now what?!” But as I got closer, I could clearly see that a pretty little family of deer was crossing the road to the other side of the surrounding field areas. My heart changed instantly. I looked out into the field, from where they came, and saw other deer hiding in the woods. I could have pulled over and just sat there for a while.

Of course, I didn’t because I needed to get to work, but as I drove into the parking lot, that song started playing in my heart, “…Washing my eyes to see Your majesty. To be still and know that You’re in this place. Please let me stay and rest in Your holiness. Word of God Speak.”

“Oh yes, I hear You,” my heart replied back. It was clear as a bell…in the midst of my busyness, I need to learn to slow down and really see the beauty that surrounds me. His communication to me goes on and on…if I would just be still and listen. I need to slow down and spend more time with Him.

Oh, how I love mornings like these.