In the Garden 

When I enter a park or go for a walk in a forest or garden, the song “In the Garden” often comes to mind. Written by American songwriter C. Austin Miles in 1912, it’s not a song I often hear, but its preciousness and devotion are very much alive.  

I come to the garden alone 

While the dew is still on the roses … 

And He walks with me 
And He talks with me 
And He tells me I am His own. 

Perhaps it’s a memory of sitting with my grandmother in Sunday service or one of the first hymns I learned to play on piano. Whatever the reason, I do believe we are never alone. The God of our understanding is always present and comforting when we pause, consciously enter the garden of our soul, and listen sweetly to the comfort and connection of this brilliant Universe.

The Garden of Our Souls

In the garden of our souls, we are both the gardeners and the stewards of the sacred soil. We plant the seeds of our intentions, dreams, and aspirations with care, tilling the earth with our hopes and nurturing them with faith. As we work diligently, we watch our garden grow, each blossom a testament to our efforts and our divine connection. 

I cherish the memories of helping and observing my grandmother in her own garden, harvesting beautiful vegetables every season. She would can, freeze, or serve them fresh for supper in the evening. She never complained. She worked very hard, often singing as she worked. I believe it was her faith and trust in the abundance given to us that kept her grateful, even when she had little in the scheme of things. It was always a feast of plenty in her world and in mine. The garden remains a precious and sacred memory for me today. My grandmother is always there, and I smile.

Yet no garden flourishes without attention to the weeds that inevitably appear. By creating clear boundaries in our lives, we make space for new growth and ensure that our garden remains healthy and vibrant. We’re continually presented with opportunities for our own spiritual growth and renewal.

Reflection and Release   

The Lenten season offers us a sacred time to let go of what no longer serves us, much like clearing away the old growth and weeds in a garden. It is a period of reflection and release, making way for an abundant new plan and divine design. As we welcome this transformation, we surely will prosper a beautiful harvest within ourselves. This internal blossoming extends beyond us, enveloping our communities and the world with the fruits of our labor and love. In embracing this cycle of letting go and renewal, we align with the divine rhythm and contribute to the flourishing of the collective garden of humanity.  

As we bless and acknowledge the full scope of our gardening plan, we see that every plant, every flower, and even the spaces between them holds a purpose. By tending to our inner garden with love and care, we prepare the ground for an abundant and blooming life. With a deep faith, we know that the essence of our being is love, and through this love, we cultivate a garden that is ever ready to flourish. 

Trust in the stillness, sing in the garden, and pray in gratitude affirming that good is unfolding each day.

And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known. 

This article first appeared in the Unity booklet In the Garden: Lent 2025.