The Garden Bench
By Karen D’Amore
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
Mark 6:31b
My house sits on a hill tucked within the woods. The stretch of driveway from the street to the house is exceptionally long and steep. Halfway up the driveway a garden bench, flanked by towering oaks, sits nestled amongst overgrown wildflowers. The bench provides a moment of rest for those who dare to trek up the challenging grade. Constructed of wood and steel, the weathered bench personifies strength; a strength which upholds those in need of rest. At the same time, the bench embodies a spirit of gentleness, quiet and calm as it seems to whisper, “Come and sit awhile…and I will provide you rest.”By Karen D’Amore
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
Mark 6:31b
Over the past couple of years, I have collected numerous garden benches and strategically placed them throughout our acreage. By leaving the land in its natural state, God-made foliage overshadows man-made structures. Benches positioned amidst His landscape rest alongside aged trees, scrub bushes, streams and ravines. Trails carved through the dense woods invite and enable walks amid the sanctuary. With the outside world silenced by choirs of birds, the benches provoke me to stop and bask in the solitude of His garden. Like outstretched arms they beckon me to seek His warm embrace. Placed in areas I frequent, the garden benches are purposeful reminders to set aside time for quiet meditation and rest.
At times, life becomes cluttered by the noise of this world: busyness, stress, fatigue and social pressures. During these over-crowded times, our ability to hear God is deafened and our ability to feel His presence diminished. Often in Scripture we see exhortations for mediation…quiet…and rest. Contrary to the fallacies of this world, we need more open spaces in our lives…moments set aside for our souls to be open and accessible to the influence of our Lord. As Christ-followers, we need to reserve time to seek a calm retreat and sit quietly at His feet. We must designate intervals of time to do nothing, think nothing and plan nothing, but simply find rest in the quiet of His presence. Purposely place “garden benches” in your daily path where you are ensured “a quiet place to rest.”
GOING DEEPER:
1. What can you put in place to remind and promote you to carve out quiet time? Establish a “retreat” place where you can have alone time with God.
FURTHER READING:
Psalm 91:1, 62:5; Matthew 11:28
Married to husband Dan, Karen is the Salon Coordinator for Intrigue Salon & Spa, the administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study and a volunteer at the Wildlife In Need Center.
