• I made a garden for God. No, do not misunderstand me It was not on some lovely estate or even in a pretty suburb. I made a garden for God in the slum of my heart: a sunless space between grimy walls the reek of cabbage water in the air refuse strewn on the cracked asphalt - the ground of my garden! This was where I laboured night and day over the long years in dismal smog and cold - there was nothing to show for my toil. Like a child I could have pretended: my slum transformed... an oasis of flowers and graceful trees how pleasant to work in such a garden! I could have lost heart and neglected my garden to do something else for God. But I was making a garden for God not for myself for his delight not mine and so I worked on in the slum of my heart. Was he concerned with my garden? Did he see my labour and tears? I never saw him looking never felt him there Yet I knew (though it felt as if I did not know) that he was there with me waiting... He has come into his garden Is it beautiful at last? Are there flowers and perfumes? I do not know the garden is not mine but his - God asked only for my little space to be prepared and given. This is 'garden' for him and my joy is full. -from "To Believe in Jesus" by Ruth Burrows • I have been a phase 1 Process work student • Being grateful for Summer, the resting and rising, the decay and the dying of old ways, for rest and celebration with friends and family and peers, with the sun and air, rain and earth. Being thankful is a great gift to receive, enjoy and share.
