“Gardening simply does not allow one to be mentally old, because too many hopes and dreams are yet to be realized.”
Allan Armitage
This past week on Pensacola Beach was an absolute gift in terms of peace and restoration. Rebekah and I always enjoy travel together and our time out on the island was pitch-perfect in just about every way. But it is always good to be home, and most especially when home is this beautiful “ongoing project” of a house we love so much.
So Monday, with more unpredictable delays from the materials yard that is supposedly supplying the pavers, our landscape architect shifted his attention to the next stage of the terraced garden, and we are catching more of a glimpse of what is possible.
He moved the two anchor trees, outlined the beginnings of where we will have grass, and had a lengthy discussion with Rebekah about exactly what we will be introducing in terms of shrubs and flowers.
It will be good to get things actually in the ground so the plants can begin to be established before autumn settles in and the growing season winds down.
Solid Grounding:
This project is an interesting combination of organic plant matter and hardscape, rocks and pavers, freeform and granite. It all needs to interact and work together and – in a way – mimic the relationship between the physical and the spiritual, what is set in concrete and what has room to grow.
I think this illustrates the following principle: While I am not a legalist I am also not without solid grounding. My faith in God is anchored in covenant and the inviolable truth that – because of Jesus – I am loved and forgiven. Then God in a sense sets me loose, equipped with the power of sonship and the life of the Spirit, to grow and to thrive and to live in a freedom that is rooted in trust.
Hardscape anchoring the project to give it definition, the growth and creativity and unpredictability of organic plant life infused with imagination and possibility to breathe life and promise into all of our tomorrows.
We started this back in late April – “Ready, Set, go…” – and I am well past ready to park my car in the (still imaginary) new driveway!
Let’s do this!!!! – DEREK