Dear God,
The wind moves through the grass
the birds welcome me with their songs
the sun kisses my head
and the garden waits in anticipation.
Before the first seed is planted
before the water drenches the soil
before the sprouts burst through the ground
before flowers and fruit
the garden waits in anticipation.
Your creation, Lord, is a gift
help me to honor this earth
and the animals and creatures that make their home here
help me to see your presence in the tiniest seed
help me to give thanks for your bounty with every turning of soil
help me to wait and wonder
for the new life that is to come.
Teach me patience, Lord,
as the sun and the water nourish the ground
as the roots take hold in the darkness.
And as the garden grows,
may my heart grow too
in newness and hope
in beauty and joy
in praise and glory to you.
Amen.
“For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garen causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.” -Isaiah 61:11
Kimberly Knowle-Zeller is an ordained ELCA pastor, mother of two, and spouse of an ELCA pastor. She lives with her family in Cole Camp, MO. You can read more at her website, follow her work on Facebook, or sign up for her monthly newsletter.