Dear Lord, how behind I am on blogging so many things You have blessed me with! Like the day back in August when You allowed me to go back to the Arboretum for a new walk. You allowed me to discover this place back in Walking the Walk, #4 Smell Walk and it immediately had became a favorite spot! I meant to blog about it to keep doing the challenge our Lovely A of Discovering Your Happiness had created in her Walking the Walking challenge back in December of last year to do 50 walks.
I know You remember our lovely Anita who always signs…
Wherever you are in the world, have a lovely day ❤
So while You are giving me the chance, I want to thank You for allowing me to get that next walk in!
#5 Slow walk – Go as slowly as you can manage. Pay attention to your five senses as you walk to the end of of the block and back. Note what you’ve noticed for the first time.
Walking the Walk, # 5 Slow Walk was so beautiful even if it was so rainy and had a very challenging end. You were so worth it!
There were such beautiful flowers inside and out! This was a great surprise as You know last time it was winter brown. I called it an earthy wonderland, and was just as breathtaking then. But You certainly decorated my walk with a little color this time.
There was an awesome quilt pattern for a garden!
I would love to be a part of doing one! 🙂
I was blessed to come across this little fish swimming in a fountain.
Then more flowers to decorate my path.
Then there was the Fragrance Garden.. in a fountain! 🙂
These fountains have me thinking on your word:
“For with thee is the fountain of life:
in thy light shall we see light.” – Psalm 36:9 KJV
The rain started picking up, so I went for shelter. As I stood under the roof, I noticed I was still getting wet. I looked up and saw wood beams, and a very cloudy sky… oh and a flag pole that was very wisely barren for this rain soaked day. I went for better shelter.
I passed by the gift shop… nice pillows.
Then look over down into the lobby.
I see signs for a Plant Sale.
After checking out their plants for sale in the green house, I head on out to the parking lot. I cannot find the car and the rain is pouring. While it’s not a huge parking lot, it is on a couple of big hills, and I know I strategically parked near landmarks to remind me where the car is. Because of my health, I am unable to run in this rain… I am actually struggling to walk up and down the hills of the parking lot… and after circling twice I am so weak I feel like I could fall at any second. I am lost and soon become so disoriented I don’t even remember where or who I am for a few seconds. I am broken and scared, and having inner conversations with You.
I walk up the hills one one more time, as I keep recognizing the landmarks I know You wisely had me thinking on. Standing where I know I left the car in the rain that has not let up for one moment, but instead has only gotten heavier, I am leaning on You more than ever, just as scared that I am… Losing It… altogether. And then RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES (LITERALLY)… I see I am standing RIGHT BESIDE IT!! I am so relieved, but as I get in the car wringing wet, I am horrified to think I could be getting worse.
You help me to think on the beautiful walk You have given me, along with the peaceful joy that You allowed me while walking on the beautiful journey with You this morning. It was a slow walk. It had to be with my health. But praise Your Holy name I can walk. You have allowed my doctors to help me do that much. You make me think on one of my favorite hymns of Yours…
In the Garden by Charles A. Miles
I come to the garden alone,
While 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.
I’d stay in the garden with Him,
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.