I love to imagine a "Southern Living" yard outside our doors that merely involves hopeful thinking, waving the magazine over it, and watching God and mother nature miraculously do the rest. Alas, this has proved to be an ineffective strategy for successful gardening. How I wish I were more like my friends Nancy or Creecy, whose yards make you want to take off your shoes and luxuriate in the thick grass while holding a tall glass of lemonade and gazing at the profusion of flowers all about you.
This would not be the case in our yard...unless you want to sit on various piles of sticks thoughtfully retrieved by Bingley...or step into something that would definitely not remind you of fragrant, fresh cut grass (I'll leave that to your imagination....but think "gagging" and you get the idea).
So try to envision my astonishment and delight over the profusion of Camellia blooms on the bush right outside our kitchen door. We planted this bush years ago--a gift from my wonderful sister when our youngest child was born. It was just a little old thing when we got it--only about a foot high. When we planted it, did we dig around and do whatever it is you're supposed to do with the soil before putting in a new plant? I'm guessing you know the answer to that hypothetical question. Did we fertilize it properly? Ha! Have we faithfully watered it during the searing months of summer drought? Right. Have we pruned it or sprayed it for aphids or done anything to aid it's growth or beauty? You're kidding, right?
Despite our persistent neglect (I admit this to my shame), this bush has grown exponentially and blossomed to beat the band (to quote my mama). Seriously, we must be the most undeserving recipients on the face of the earth of such spectacularly beautiful and effusive bounty--but it's true! Blooms and more blooms that give us nothing but unmitigated wonder and joy every time we go in or out of the kitchen door.
And here's all I can think: grace. Grace upon grace upon grace. Truly amazing grace.
Isn't that a picture of what our Lord has done for us? You tell me--who on earth could deserve the forgiveness and grace poured out upon us by the Lord Jesus? Certainly not me. Oh no. To think that He "saved a wretch like me" never ceases to astound and fill me with inexpressible joy and gratitude.
I love how Tim Keller put it: "We are more flawed and sinful than we ever dared believe, yet we are more loved and accepted than we ever dared hope at the same time."
Seriously, if you've been a believer for a while, don't you sometimes wonder why on earth you still struggle with your same old selfishness, competitiveness, envy, ingratitude, or pride? Wouldn't you think you could get over all that mess by now and be a paragon of virtue and holiness?
But as long as we're on this planet, we will continue to have to fight the good fight against our sin, selfishness and pride. I loved John Newton's words on this. When he was a very old man, he admitted, "By this point I thought I'd be different. Always love to pray. Not jealous. Not controlled by money. Love for God never cold."
But Newton goes on, "The reason God allows us to continue to struggle all of our life with indwelling sin is He wants us to grow even more amazed at His grace." AMEN!
Yes, Lord, I stand amazed, astonished, and oh, so very, very grateful for Your goodness and grace that is infinitely beyond anything we ever dare hope for or dream. You take the dirty rags of all our sins and replace them with Your regal, glorious robes of righteousness.
And You do it again...and again...and again. Daily, hourly...like those Camellia blooms. Undeserved, unmerited...but profuse and abundant crimson packages of grace. The color of His blood that washed away all our sins.
"In love, He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which he lavished upon us in all wisdom and insight." (Eph.1:5-8)
Who can comprehend it? None can ever earn it. We simply stand amazed at the wonder and riches of His grace poured out upon us in Christ Jesus.
So thank You Father for being the Heavenly Gardener in our lives--sowing what we do not deserve, reaping what we could never, ever merit. Bountiful, beautiful, amazing, glorious grace. Day after day. Bloom after bloom.
Thank You, thank You, thank You. To God be the glory.
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