Mountain Morning Cafe': A Contemplative Garden

Photos Credit: musical photo man (Creative Commons)

Welcome to Spring

Here’s some cool things to think about, maybe even take a small step, with a long term vision. Here goes…

What Is A Contemplative Garden?

It’s a place of rest in a weary world
A place of retreat and solitude
A place of focus
A place that cries out for restoration to a thirsty world
A place of peace and quiet in a world of noise
A place of meaning, and growth
A place of provision
A place we create holy and sacred

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul Psalm 23

What Is The American Garden?

The American Garden is one of order, structure and beauty; but it’s a place of work, and not rest.

I heard the story of an African Missionary who came to Gulf Breeze. After a meeting one Saturday afternoon, his host was driving him around, showing him the beautiful neighborhoods. People were outside trimming their shrubs and mowing their yards, when the young African turned and asked, “What are they reaping?” His astute host thought a moment and replied, “Pride, They’re reaping pride.”

Now it’s a good thing to have pride, self-respect and taking care of your assets. But let’s take it a little deeper. We live in a society of diversions and little rest. In fact, we live in a drunken addiction to diversions that pull us from one thing to the next. We live a life of rushing this way and that, to a fading promise that our needs will be met. We fall into bed, sleep deprived from all our endless diversions.

We Need Places of Refuge

In a Contemplative Garden, we create a space of rest for our restoration.

A Contemplative Garden like the Garden of Eden mirrors the Glory of God in a thousand different ways.

*It becomes a place where we feast on the wonders of God.

*We contemplate in the atmosphere of Grace and of Wonder.

How Do You Create A Garden For Contemplation?

A Contemplative Garden can be as small as a potted plant on our window seal, or a vast acreage of wonders. Size isn’t important.

It is primarily a place we’ve set aside for meditation, contemplation and worship, along with a lot of digging and pulling weeds.

Style isn’t important. What is important is that it’s a place that fully engages you with meaning, rest and growth.

*It can also be a place of provision.

*It can be self-sustainable.

*It can feed you, your family, and provide food for the hungry.

A Contemplative Garden is a pungent and visible connection to God’s Grace as we create with our creator, a garden of meaning, rest and growth. A place of meditation, contemplation, and worship.

Be Creative and Start Small

However you do it, make it fun. Gardening is an ongoing process. It grows as we grow. A Contemplative Garden, like the Garden of Eden, mirrors the Glory and Wonders of God in a thousand different ways.