A Picture is Worth At Least a Thousand Words
A picture really is worth at least a thousand words . . .
A calendar hangs on the door knob of the closet beside my “Quiet Time” chair.
This month’s picture is a painting of a garden gate.
I considered describing the painting but, well, the whole thousand word thing . . .
So much easier to show you.
Below the gate, the artist pens her verse of inspiration.
I am the gate; if anyone enters through me . . .
(John 10:9)
I’m not sure what kind of gate I envisioned before, probably more of a split rail fence situation, but I like her vision much better.
A breeze from the garden beyond her gate seems to beckon, “Come in, come in . . . for within this gate there is beauty, safety, peace.”
Which feels like an invitation to search the Word for gardens.
The Lord must love them because, as it turns out, they play major roles in His story.
The first garden is the breathtaking backdrop of a relationship. Creator to creation. A lush oasis where the Lord strolls in the cool of the day. Conversations happen here between God and man. And woman.
The Garden of Eden . . . where relationship happens.
In a second garden, Jesus steps away to pray. He asks His disciples to wait for Him. And to stay awake. Which they don’t.
I picture a gentle rustling of leaves calming their anxious souls, bidding them rest.
Though these disciples don’t fully comprehend the situation, Jesus will be arrested shortly. This will be their last earthly night with Him. They probably need their sleep.
The Garden of Gethsemane . . . where rest happens.
Days later, a third garden turns up. Jesus is buried there in a tomb on Friday.
And for those who love Him, the world stops spinning.
Until Sunday morning.
When the world starts spinning.
Uncontrollably.
In a wonderful way.
A hallelujah Easter kind of way.
The Garden Tomb . . . where the living presence of the Lord changes everything.
My favorite part of this third garden story is when Mary Magdalene mistakes Jesus for the gardener.
Because while He’s not that gardener, He is The Gardener. Love the irony.
Three gardens.
Whew.
The search is over.
Until a fourth garden finds me.
In a parable of sorts.
Then Jesus said, “How can I picture God’s kingdom for you?
(Luke 13:18 MSG)
Because, clearly, a picture is worth at least a thousand words.
Jesus continues.
It is like a mustard seed that a man plants in his garden.
The seed grows and becomes a tree.
(Luke 13:19 EXB)
Not an actual garden this time, but a garden we are invited to picture.
With a gardener.
Which has me grinning again over Mary and her Gardener situation.
As it turns out, the garden gate painting hanging on my closet door knob has been worth way, way more than a thousand words to me.
It has inspired a new Quiet Time rhythm.
Where I study the calendar’s garden gate.
Picture myself lifting the latch and stepping inside.
Into a space of still and quiet beauty and mystery.
Where the Gardener awaits.
Inviting all who enter the garden to sit in His presence, rest awhile, and talk with Him.
See you in a couple weeks.
Love,
I love this! Thank you for sharing. I probably will look at garden gates in a different way now.
I’ve been to Brookgreen a lot lately and it occurs to me just now that you must enter through a huge gate . . . but on the other side . . . oh, such peace and beauty. A picture of spending time with the Lord!
Cindy, What a beautiful devotional today! I’m trying to ready my garden, decide on new flowering plants to attract butterflies and bees, dig up the old things that are not flourishing and try something new. In your words today, it’s not only my outdoor garden that needs tending, my heart needs to see The Gardener more intimately. I love you and your “at least a thousand words”!
Your outside garden will be beautiful . . . just like your “inside” garden.
What a beautiful devotional and I do love your look at the gates! They can be beautiful works of art or they can be shabby and broken down but it’s just something inviting about a gate! Love this time of the year when the azaleas are so beautiful.. it’s like God has invited us into his garden. I love you my sweet friend ❤️
It’s like God has invited us into His garden . . . I love how you said that! My blooming dogwood makes my heart happy every time I pull in my driveway.
I love this devotion. The gate is there… we can enter where we gain strength and comfort from Our Lord…. choices….,, May the blessings of Easter surround you. Love !
I love how you put that . . . we can enter . . . or not. May the blessings of Easter surround you too!
What another poignant devotion today for me to contemplate as I tend my veggie and flower gardens on my postage stamp lot. I think gardening, especially playing in the dirt, is my favorite therapy these days. Last year I had to take down a small wooden gate that was to the point of splintering. Now I am expanding my flower planting in that place. That is the way God works in our lives: get rid of a bad habit that opens the gate to blossom more for Him. Thank you for always inspiring me.❤️🙏
I’m so glad you love gardening. I wish I did. Every now and then I get in the mood, but not often. When I was a single mother my dad looked at me one day, after being called over for the millionth time to crank my quirky lawn mower, and said, “What you need is to start dating a yard man!” Still makes me laugh.
This great Gardener always promotes growth in His creation. How beautiful is what He sees that He wants us to see also. Love this, you dear wild flower!
You, my friend, are the dear wild flower!
Such beautiful images you paint with your words! Thank you.
Thank you, Mary. How is your actual painting coming along?
Now I am thinking about all the important gates I have known. They have a valuable meaning to me now, thanks to you.
I would love to hear about some of those important gates you have known!