New Season, New Grace

March 2019 Last month I wrote about cleaning out the clothes closet and paring down both décor and essentials. I’m happy with the simple, clean look. A box of once-treasured vintage items and some things in the attic that I haven’t touched in 12 years will soon be a memory of times past. (Now as I rewrite this, I regret donating that box. My daughter is now a vintage re-seller. But to be true to de-cluttering, it was necessary at the time.)

One of two halves of an unknown type of wood that my brother must have found on one of his trips. Sure wish I knew the history. I cut it in half and made two porch swings.

In de-cluttering mode, I moved outside. Uh-oh. Eight years ago, I started working on a prayer garden in my backyard. I had a vision of what it should be and many ideas. Materials for my projects appeared at every thrift store and garage sale I went to. I found some relics in the barn of my childhood country home; I knew all the best places for landscape supplies and plants. Pretty soon, I had a collection of unique items—rusty metal pieces, beautiful aged wood, garden art, several types of rocks, benches and chairs, pots, bird feeders, etc. They were there at the ready when I had an inspiration for another element of the garden.

For several years I’ve been fueled by this mission. It’s fulfilling to use my energies and resources to create a peaceful sanctuary right out my back door. Etched into the concrete patio that launched my backyard retreat are the words All for Him 2011. I really did give all for Him—the One who spoke quietly in my heart and challenged me to listen. I wasn’t sure of the purpose for the garden; I just knew I had to create it. Primarily, it’s been a place for me to meet with God as I work or contemplate the wonder of life seen everywhere in nature. It’s revealed new layers in spiritual life lessons I’ll never master: walking in faith, paying attention to both the invisible and visible, being ok with making mistakes, finding peace in chaos, and more.

Now, the hardscaping is in place, trees are finally providing shade, and the beds are planted. The sense of mission, the momentum, and the energy that propelled the accomplishment of the prayer garden vision have faded. When I think of the physical labor alone, moving rocks and dumping wagons of decomposed granite...how did I do that?! He gave me grace.

Cluttered side yard

Now, the clutter of unrealized projects is getting on my nerves. Everywhere I look I see parts and pieces: a collection of wood standing in the corner, items on stand-by hiding in nooks, and crannies collecting dust and taking up space—it feels smothering and heavy. I used to see potential, but now I see clutter. Could it be that this season of grace has been lifted?

Organized side yard, view from opposite side

This new season brings simplification and rest. It’s time to extend this journey into the garden. My plan is to clear the clutter and look for ways to reduce maintenance . For me, simplicity brings peace and clarity. A life uncluttered with “seen things” helps me focus on “unseen things”. The garden is still an important part of my life, but it belongs to the Lord. It’s only a means to know him better—the Alpha and Omega, Faithful and True, the Light of the World, Bread of Life...there’s no purpose at all otherwise.  As long as I’m entwined with him and nothing else, I can move with him. I don’t know what the next “assignment” will be, but I’m confident it will come, and, with it, new grace.

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June 2026 Follow up:

Looking back, I can see the transition more clearly. It was a time of letting go of my vision and letting God take the reins. What I felt as heaviness of clutter in my visible world, was, in the invisible, the weight of carrying unnecessary burdens; what's the purpose of the garden? should I be inviting people over? it needs to look beautiful year round, there's so much to do, etc.

I eliminated some items from the outside clutter and organized my side-yard/work-space (one of several re-organizations over the years); but the prayer garden continued and my joy, purpose, and committment was renewed. After this, I offered it all up to the Lord and his timing, with a sense that "unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain" Psalm 127:1

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