During the past week I returned to Detroit. (The first 12 years of my life I lived in Detroit.) I was shocked to drive though a community with abandoned and burned out houses. And yet there is hope and a passion for life here.
I visited Brightmoor and I was treated to a walking tour of the community gardens. Amid abandoned homes the gardens are a vibrant sign of hope. As I talked with people that work on the gardens, I learned a little more. I tasted the salad herb, purslane, and ground cherries.
One family was putting in a rain garden in their front yard. The plants and flowers have deep roots that can absorb a lot of water from saturated soil, preventing overflow in the sewage system. The people of Brightmoor are enthusiastic about protecting and restoring the neighborhood. Perseverence. Passion. Hope.
I had much to think about on my way home. It was a nice break in driving to stop at a farm market. I bought some blueberries, peaches and tomatoes. (Michigan is a great place to get blueberries!)
At home I have flowers, berry bushes, herbs and a few vegetables—and weeds. We have had a lot of rain this year which has been great for my plants and also for the weeds. When I go out to work on my garden patches I lose track of time. As I work I have time to sort out my thoughts. I have been thinking about gardens.
We have a deep place in our heart that receives refreshment from a garden. God has created us that way.
And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. Genesis 2: 8 -9a
Even if you don’t have a garden, you can still enjoy the refreshment of one. Here are a few suggestions:
- Take a walk at a botanical garden. It provides a great opportunity to learn about plants. When I visit a city on vacation I look for their botanical garden. Chicago, Phoenix AZ and Albuquerque NM have wonderful gardens.
- Spend a morning at a local farmer’s market, seeing all the produce. Sometimes they have flowers, too. Talk with the farmers. You never know what you might learn.
- Plan a garden for next year.
Linking with Thought Provoking Thursday, A Little R & R, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Words with Winter, Roses of Inspiration, Sunday Stillness, Friendship Friday and Grace & Truth
There is something special and soothing about walking among the flowers…it truly is calming to the soul. I must confess that I have more of a brown thumb than green, but I am thankful for the beauty of wild flowers all around. God’s creation is stunning and such a blessing.
Thank you for sharing with Roses of Inspiration. Have a lovely week!
I do not have much of a green thumb, but do believe God created us to enjoy the beauty of a garden. Thank you for sharing at Weekend Whispers.
Visited a botanical garden just this weekend! 🙂 Enjoyed your thoughtful piece. Found you via Sunday Stillness.
Gardens add color to our soul and peace to our hearts. I love the beautiful colors of flowers. I often take my phone when I walk in my neighborhood and snap photos of flowers along the way. Linking with you today at Grace and Truth.
Hi Ginger, Thanks for visiting today. Have a blessed weekend.