The hymn “In the Garden,” written by Charles Austin Miles in 1913 is one of my favorites, and I am not alone.   It has been recorded by Brad Paisley, Anne Murray, Alan Jackson, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley, just to name a few.  The lure of the garden is great!  I found this out first hand a week or so ago, when I was desperately needing some quiet time with the Lord.  However, we live in a pretty small house (addition coming soon!), and my husband had just gotten home from work, and was doing some things around the house.

Well, the weather couldn’t have been more perfect–it was sunny with temperatures in the upper 70s.  So, I took a chair from the patio table and dragged it around behind the house to sit by the garden.  The garden is a bit overgrown right now.  It needs to be mowed, but it is still producing.  Anyway, we have a gorgeous view outback of God’s creation.  I could see lots of blue sky, green grass, trees and woods, and black cattle.  I sunk into my patio chair, opened my Bible and had a sweet time with the Lord.  I stayed out longer than I meant to–it’s easy to linger in the garden with the Lord.  I need to do it again.

Just as a side note–this reminds me of some of the odd places I have had quiet times in my life–that’s the beauty of prayer–you can do it anywhere. When I was in college and had a roommate to share space with, I sometimes went to the women’s shower area to pray.  It was usually deserted.  So, note to self:  I don’t have to pray in the same spot every day, and I don’t have to have a special place to pray (although that can be nice, too).  All I really need is solitude, quiet, and a heart turned to God.

“In the Garden,” lyrics and music by Charles Austin Miles

I come to the garden alone

When the dew is still on the roses

And the voice I hear

Falling on my  ear

The Son of God discloses.

Refrain

And He walks with me and He talks with me

And He tells me I am His own

And the joy we share as we tarry there

None other has ever known.

He speaks and the sound of His voice

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing.

Refrain

And He walks with me and He talks with me

And He tells me I am His own

And the joy we share as we tarry there

None other has ever known.

I stay in the garden with Him

Though the night around me is falling

But He bids me go; through the voice of woe

His voice to me is calling.

Refrain

And He walks with me and He talks with me

And He tells me I am His own

And the joy we share as we tarry there

None other has ever known.

Bloomin' Glad!