The Walk to the Water Gardens
A few times a year I try to break away for a time of solitude and prayer. Such times help me to refocus and gain some much-needed perspective on life. Sort of like climbing to the top of a high hill and being able to see the lay of the land below.
The Rose Wall
A few weeks ago I had the chance to break away for a day a prayer at Longwood Gardens just outside of Chadds Ford PA.
My son and I arrived at Longwood after a late breakfast. We walked the gardens together through lunch time and then he headed off to work leaving me with a six-hour block of time to read the Bible and pray.
Joe at the waterfall
Lately I have felt a bit overwhelmed by the scope of work I see God opening up before me. I brought many of my concerns about my own ability to Him that day. In response He took me to the words of Hebrews Chapter 11
” Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.”Heb. 11:1
The Webb House in the Meadow Garden
As I pondered how I should address my current responsibilities in faith I took a long walk through the meadow garden. During the course of that walk I stumbled upon this sign.
I realized then, that every time I begin to get a handle on the pace of life the pace of life seems to quicken. The answer I was left with was to rest in the flow. God also reminded that I am not alone in the boat. If the work is increasing then the labor force has to increase as well.
The night is coming on fast and there is still much to do. God showed me that while I might see a corner piece of some of that work even that much is not mine to do. I don’t have to do everything I see, only those things I see my Father doing.
When my son met me at 9 that evening I felt ready to take on these new challenges facing me in ministry.
When was the last time you took a day to pray and get your bearings? What has the Lord been telling you in your prayer time??
Lillie-Put 
Longwood Gardens is absolutely beautiful, Pastor J. I can only imagine praying in a place of such beauty!
What a beautiful place!! For me, my morning walks tend to hold a lot of reflection and prayer time. But sitting in front of an ocean or in the darkness of a forest are my favorite places to have quiet time, if I’m able to get away. (Oh, and this is changing the subject, but I thought about you during our morning service two Sunday’s ago. Nate was leading, I was playing piano, and the song service went a bit longer than usual. I suddenly realized that my left leg had gone completely numb, as I was balancing all of my weight on it in order to use my right foot for the pedal. This hasn’t happened since my days at Cornerstone, but it sure brought back memories… and made me smile! 🙂 I knew you’d appreciate this story, as you know what it’s like to be playing and to suddenly get a numb leg. The good thing is that it generally means we’re having a powerful service, as the worship continues past the time we had thought it would, so who can complain? All you can do is grin and bear it… and hope that you don’t fall down the stairs when you’re dismissed from the stage!). 🙂
It is a beautiful place. I love praying in any garden. It brings me to such peace and I almost never get a numb leg which always happens when I stand to play now!
We live in such fast pace that sometimes we forget to ask for help and know we are not alone… Thanks for the wise words…
Great testimony JE! Waiting to hear of the coming blessings . . .
Beautiful place….beautiful time….:)
It was a much appreciated gift from God!