GARDEN OF LIFE

Do you know that each life is a garden,
And we sow as the days go by
Seeds, for a future harvest
To be gathered with smiles, or a sigh?

Then what of the soil of our garden,
Is it fertile, or stoney and old?
Will it bring forth the thorn and the thistle,
Or "the grain of a thousand fold"?

Have we planted the rose of "forgiveness,"
And the lily of purest white
That sends forth its sweetest fragrance
Through the long, dark hours of the night?

Have we planted that rare little blossom
That blooms when the days are hot;
Ever echoing the voice of its Master,
"Dear friends, forget Me not?"

Have we planted much in our gardens
From His wonderful Book of Life?
Have we sown the seeds of "obedience,"
His assurance of help through the strife?

Have we also sown the seeds of "truth"?
Have we done the best that we can
To'ard sowing that marvelous seed of "love,"
Love for both God and Man?

You know that in this world's sowing
'Tis true, and will ever be,
There will come into every garden
Some grief…from Gethsemane.

But after the grief in the garden
The harvest we'd hoped to see
Will blossom in all its beauty,
Through the glory of Calvary.

Then know that your life is a garden,
And you sow as the days go by
Seeds…for a future harvest,
To be gathered with smiles, or a sigh
---by Harriette Flora Gray