The Art of Preening

It’s always been said that couples who have been married for a long time find very little new information about each other after a while. I suppose it would be said of a single person, too. Well, they would be wrong!

It’s only been in the last few years that I have discovered that I love plants and flowers. Now, maybe it’s always been there and I just never took the time or gave it the attention it deserved. But, there is no question now. I love them. I can't keep them alive, but I love them while they thrive for the first few days. So, knowing my limitations and my love for them, I have, therefore, filled my home with artwork of flowers and fake flowers in pretty pots. But, just recently, I bought myself two REAL plants. Thanks to easyplant.com. All I have to do is fill a reservoir in the pot once a month and, boom, I’ve got living plants in my home. Plants to whom I talk to on a daily basis. They make me so happy.

Which brings me to this past week. I spent time at a newly discovered (for me) garden in Madison. The Olbrich Gardens. 16 acres of flowers and plants! I was in heaven.There were other people wandering the gardens, but I paid little or no attention to them. It was just me and the gardens…and God. Yes, his presence was unmistakable.

It took about 15 minutes into my walk before the words of an ancient hymn came to me. “In the Garden.” 

I come to the garden alone,

While the dew is still on the roses;

And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,

The son of God discloses.

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.

As I “tarried,” I discovered  that my heart rate slowed down, my mind let go of all its thoughts and concerns, and my spirit became renewed and refreshed. AND I had fun with God. 

As I looked at all these stunning flowers and plants, I began to tell God how freakishly creative he was. And as I did this - no kidding - I felt him preen. Actually strut a little. It was so unusual and so fun. And then I realized…

I have spent my life as a Christ follower worshiping God, exalting and praising his name, but I have very seldom complimented God, directly, on his creation. I’ve always said things in the abstract. “Look at the beautiful sky God made.” “That person is so gifted.” “This was all done by God's hand.” But I can’t remember if I ever looked him in the eye and said, “You made this? This is extraordinary!!!” 

God is an artist. And what artist doesn’t long to hear a compliment, but not only of their work, but of themselves? I know I’ve complimented Lindsay, my amazingly talented daughter-in-law, on her art. (See lindsayletters.com) And I’ve complimented Brent for the songs that he brings every Sunday. But…looking back, I’m now asking myself, “Did I compliment them directly?” Did I say, “You painted this! You are so incredibly gifted!” “You sang the song on Sunday in a way that gave me chills!" I’m a natural encourager, but how often have I commented on an artistic painting, a moving song, a well executed piece and yet have failed to acknowledge the artist behind the brilliance. All those “thes,” “thats” and “these” are incomplete because they’ve neglected the person from whom the art has come.

Well, as you can see, God has got me thinking a lot after our tarry together. To the point where I’m going to make sure, from here on out, that when speaking to artists, I look them in the eye and continue the practice of saying, “You did this! You are extraordinary!” Because after my time in the garden, I gotta tell ya, there’s nothing like watching an artist preen. Including God.