Charlotte’s
Garden
By Shirley Johnson
Charlotte
loved to work in her garden in the morning. She could hear the morning birds
greet the day with a song. The refreshing dewdrops found rest upon the garden.
The flowers seemed to smile back at the sun.
Charlotte
worked hard at maintaining the presentation and growth of the garden. She knew
with the proper care it would not only look beautiful, but create a peaceful
atmosphere for those viewing it. From childhood, she knew which of the elements
and garden intruders can interfere with the presentation and growth of the
garden and which are harmless.
The
garden often ministered to Charlotte. She embraced the seasons of the garden.
It often shared reflections of life and whispers of hope.
While
working in the garden a ladybug crawled on her sleeve. There was a time many
years ago if this happened she would have panicked. She smiled and laughed to
herself. She thought back to when she was a very small child. She was with her mom
visiting at their friend’s home. The porch provided a favorite play area.
Somehow a ladybug crawled right where she sat. She cried out to her mom for help.
Charlotte’s
mom came running in response to her cries. While Charlotte saw a big intruder,
her mother saw a simple little ladybug. “Oh, Charlotte.” “It’s okay,” said her
mom. Her mom had gardened a long time and knew the difference between a
harmless bug and dangerous ones. “This is just an innocent little bug that
somehow landed in the wrong place.” She calmly scooped up the ladybug with her
gentle hands, opened the screen door, and let it go.
Life’s
seasons have a way of presenting itself with different problems. There are
times when we have real problems, big problems that we need to face, address
and solve. Sometimes though, we have little irritations that invade our space.
They land right where we sit in life. They have us talking, repeating,
agonizing and spinning our wheels. They interfere and distract us from the
purpose and plan in our lives. They “bug” us.
When those little
irritations land in our space,
look at them and
determine how big they are.
Perhaps there are
times when we too must open the screen door and let them go.
ABOUT
Shirley
Johnson shares inspiration and encouragement
through her writing. She is a member of SCBWI and ACFW. She loves to read and
has volunteered at her local Public Library as an Adult Literacy Tutor. She
shares her writing on her blog. Connect with her on Twitter, Facebook and
Instagram.
http://busylifepause.com/
https://www.facebook.com/shrlyjohnson
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ReplyDeleteLisa, Thank you for sharing.
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