As children we come into this world, pure and innocent. Our hearts and souls are pure and untainted, by the sinners and sins of the world. Unfortunately we do not stay that way. As we grow older and face challenges like deaths of family members, fall victims of crimes or having to deal with difficult health problems, it is natural to loose faith in others. Our hearts and souls become tainted by grief, anger, jealousy, greed or bitterness and we forget to "Love thy Neighbour" and even ourselves. I became a victim of horrible violent physical and sexual abuse, when I was a boy. I have paid a high price ever since, and I am still recovering and trying to cope. Gardening is my refuge from pain and memories that haunt me every day, and has been very therapeutic and healing.
Last Sunday I posted the Parable of the rose. If we only see the thorns and faults in our selves and others we will never grow and bloom as much as we can.
One of my favorite garden plants is White Bleeding Hearts - Dicentra Spectabilis Alba. It reminds me of innocence lost and the beauty of pure white hearts. It shot up in April and became almost a foot tall, before it got zapped by late hard frost, and fell to the ground. I was sure it was dead. But like me, it seemed to be a survivor with an unbelievable resilience. It shot again and is still blooming. It seems to tolerate a lot of shade, since I have planted it were it only gets about 1 hour of sunlight every day. In the dark shade the pure white hearts shine:
In spite of my struggle with trust in others, I never lost my faith in Christ and what he did for me and us. I strive to be a good person and be Christlike. I know that I will fail and never become perfect and have a heart as pure and white as our Saviour. But I will keep trying!
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13 comments:
This is a very poignant post and well said. Plants are very like people in their resiliency.
That beautiful Niels; the photo and the sentiment.
I like growing it with Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' , they look great together.
Hope you have had a good weekend,
Zoe
A very touching post. So much cruelty in the world - it's hard to believe how anybody could hurt another human being. I think gardening is a great way of recovering...
/Katarina
Niels- how lovely. Your flowers are amazing! Thank you for sharing your flowers and your thoughts.
~Bethany
Thank you for visiting my blog and reading this post.
Tina: Well some plants are tougher than other! Some are tender and die.
Zoë: thank you for your kindness! I will look up that Brunnera - I grow my White Bleeding heart behind
hosta 'Hadspen Blue' next to some Ladys mantle. I had a good weekend but was tired. Had time to keep up reading blogs.
Katarina: Yes the world can be very ugly, but us gardeners try to create something beautiful that also nourishes and strengthen our souls. Even I was touched by writing this post. I did shead a tear.
Bethany: This is what I do in this blog. Share my flowers and thoughts. You heard me speak in USA and know part of my story. I am glad you visited my blog. I hope you are doing well girl? - and hope to get a chance to see you again next time I come to Iowa. Erika wants me to help her create a garden with scented plants. But It will have to wait until next spring since I am going to Utah and Texas this year.
Your post was very lovely. The white bleeding hearts are stunning!
What a lovely sentiment, and a beautiful plant. :)
What a wonderful blog you have here. You truly shine the light of Christ through your gardening. God bless.
So sorry to hear of your struggles Niels. Your post is very touching. The garden can be so therapeutic and spiritual as well. It can keep a person well grounded in the beauty of the moment and can be a wonderful distraction when needed.
There is definitely something very pure about white flowers. Your photos truly reflect this pure beauty! Love those bleeding hearts.
Thank you for this wonderful post, Niels. I, like you, am a survivor that has found refuge and solace in my garden. Digging in the dirt has brought be closer to my Savior and Heavenly Father in ways I hadn't imagined. Your lovely white bleeding heart is so beautiful. If I had a cool spot in my garden, I would plant one for and enjoy it for the same reasons you enjoy yours.
Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage
Niels,
I just got back from a funeral for my Aunt Dorothea age 91. She had written the service and it was quite lovely.
She was buried in the primitive cemetery where my maternal forebearers have been buried since the flood. WELL --ALMOST!
She was buried next to Grams. In typical Foghorn fashion when we had placed her casket over the grave, I tripped and caught my self with my left hand on her casket. While I was there I asked her to say HI! to grams and let her know I miss her something terrible. I had made my peace with my Aunt this fall.
After the graveside service Mom laid her hands on the coffin and gave a moving goodbye to her sister.
Now, I come back and you have written about bleeding hearts, one of my Grams favorite flowers.
Yes, I have several in my garden, God Bless!
D-
Thank you for your compliments and empathy. I am happy to hear that I have touched your hearts, and to hear that you also think gardening can be healing.
Sorry to hear that you also had abuse in your past Cindy!
Thanks for your touching comment Doug. Your Aunt had a long life, may she rest in peace. Also glad to hear that Bleeding Hearts do well in Iowa, and that Bleeding Hearts were one of your Grams favorites. I hope you and your wife are doing well and enjoing the roses blooming and that the Jbs will stay away a little longer.
Was also relieved to hear that your little creek, had not been flooded too bad. I hope we will meet again next time I come to Iowa.
Thanks Niels, there is so much about plants and gardening that teach us about our life in Christ and Our Father's Love. I guess thats why Jesus used so many parables with plants?
Thank God for His Grace that He sees us as pure and white as our Saviour!
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