Yes, I know I’m late

     but today is the first opportunity I have had to buy flowers for our yard.

Somehow, the wait makes it even more exciting.

I can see it all now.

We’ll drive up to the nursery and immediately be overwhelmed with

    flowers of all sizes, shapes and colors.

I will choose a small red wagon to pull behind us as we walk up and down the paths.

It is so easy to get lost among the beauty.

Getting flowers for our front and backyard is a yearly special occasion.

Every one participates. It’s a family affair.

Pink and white impatiens,

   happy morning glories

       geraniums, petunias, roses and daisies, of course

           and more and more and more.

A few bags of mulch. Check out the prices of the beautiful fountains

and then home we go.

We might work until dusk digging and planting

  but it will all be joy.

I love taking a simple yard and transforming it into a place of beauty.

A sanctuary where we can be

    at peace. A place to have my quiet times. A retreat.

A lovely place for the birds to visit.

Shining moments all around.

Transforming brings to mind that beloved verse in Romans 12:2

I read it this morning.

“And be ye not conformed to this world but be ye transformed

   by the renewing of your mind.”

Digging out, throwing away, discarding the rubbish

And planting His thoughts deep within our hearts.

Allowing the Gardener to plant within us the plants of flowers of

    Love,

     Joy,

       Peace,

         Kindness

           Mercy,

              Grace

and so much more.

There’s always more.

Beauty where there had once been ashes.

His life in us.

Glorious gifts too many to language.

Transforming what had been once barren into abundant life.