Serenity within the amusement park

On our initial walk through the park, we traveled a path between locations (I can’t be more specific due to my directionally challenged brain – all I can tell you is that we did find a quiet little path between areas). It was quiet in spite of the rides, games and music festival occurring all around us. While enjoying some quiet time and conversation with friends we happened upon this bush.  It is beautiful. My photo doesn’t do it justice yet I’ve learned that many of the things in life that take our breath away can’t be captured by even the best of photographers. 

It all started in Genesis 1, with God’s creation of nature and mankind.
Genesis 1:11-13,31
Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

On the seventh day God rested.  I’d like to imagine God kicking back in his reclining lawn chair.  Can’t you just see him sipping Son-made ice tea while wiping the sweat from his brow (do you think he sweats? Hmm…) preparing the words he would later share with Matthew, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” (Matt 4:26-29 NIV) God is the author of the Bible…this photo brought the image of God, the Creator and Author ~ resting and reflecting before speaking and watering! A life lesson we could all benefit from.

If we continue further in Genesis we learn that although the seed-bearing plants and trees were there, “Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground…” (Gen 2:5) I find it interesting that although God had created the earth and placed the plants and trees within the soil, nothing appeared until after he had rested. He didn’t need a quick gratification but instead showed patience as he rested first, knowing the beauty waiting to burst forth through the soil.

I challenge you to rest and reflect after planting…God will provide the water!

Side Note: I’m not sure what this bush is called and no one within ear shot did either (if you do, feel free to comment the name below). My parents put in a new garden last year with some of the smaller smoking bushes ~ this would be a beautiful addition to this little garden, yet I have no idea what it is called to bless them with one. Hence the reason for asking if anyone knows what it is called.