The Gardener

Lord,

You made me a gardener
in your Sherwood garden.
I’ve toiled through the seasons
and the years.

Many souls
that had their roots in cinders
now grow in soil
that fertile richness bears.

But Lord,
some of my plants
that should be a rose or violet
persist in growing up
obnoxious weeds.

Lord, I pray,
make all plants in my garden
grow to Thy glory
and to fulfill Thy needs.

My son,

Since the day

of good earth’s creation,

Mine it has been

to sow some good seeds of grain;

Mine the wisdom

to send the proper seasons;

Mine to send

the sunshine and the rain.

Throughout the ages

I’ve yearned for each plant

to reach perfection,

to provide the means

to every end I go.

But I have never forced

a single plant

to please me.

I’ve never even forced

a single plant

to grow.

— George W. Jones
From the forthcoming book "Life's Journey"

Photo by Dan Hardison
Wilmington, North Carolina

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