The Enchanted Garden Story

Do you ever wish you could walk through a door and leave this crazy life behind and melt into an enchanted garden? I sure do! In the late afternoon or early evening, I head out to my garden just to walk and enjoy. I must admit, I often end up working a bit too…pollinating lilikoi, or pulling a few weeds here and there. I just love being in my garden.

 

Indoors is safe and comfortable. It’s always the same, and the scary or uncomfortable elements are shut out. Snuggling in...

 

- the rest of the story -

 

...with soft jammies, a fuzzy blanket, a favorite hot drink and a good book or favorite movie is warm and comfortable.

 

But ever since I was a little girl, I loved the outdoors. It’s where I feel alive and free. Think, Julie Andrews at the beginning of “The Sound of Music” standing on a hilltop twirling in freedom with her arms up! Like Anne of Green Gables, I would gather wild flowers and adorn myself with them.

 

I’ve never lost this love of being outdoors. I like my safe comfy places, but being outside makes me feel so alive, and so close to God.

 

Maybe you’ve heard this old hymn. It’s often sung at funerals but I don’t quite understand that. To me it speaks of exactly what I experience outdoors - the presence of Jesus speaking to me through nature.

 

“He speaks, and the sound of His voice

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing.

 

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own,

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.”

~In The Garden by Charles A. Miles

 

It awakens my heart to hear the birds, watch the butterflies, smell the various fragrances. Deep greens, highlighted with soft flowers and sparkles of light… that’s my idea of the perfect place to rest and let God heal my soul.

 

And that’s the inspiration for this painting, and my hope for all who see it. Because I know about long periods of times where we can’t get outside. That’s why I fill my home and my canvas’ with paintings of nature. If you can’t get outside, you can still experience it through art.