We dance round in a ring and suppose, but the secret sits in the middle and knows. – Robert Frost
Henry and Carol Adams live on a remote, rural property in Alabama where they do gardening, chickens, and permaculture projects on a small, 3 acre plot. They call their place “The Secret Garden,” and needless to say, with a name like that I was eager to visit when the opportunity came up one winter!
Come, take a stroll with me. This happened years ago, but I still recall some of the garden’s secrets. :-)
🌿 A Garden With a Past 🌿
I was made keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard I didn’t keep. – Song 1:6b
The first thing I learned, was a back story. When Henry and Carol bought their property just three years previous, friends and family thought they were crazy. It was neglected, weed-infested, and by all appearances not worth a second look. There wasn’t a hint of a “secret garden” anywhere, let alone an inch of lawn that wasn’t a jungle or a junkyard! And the house? It should’ve been condemned.
But the Adams had vision. (as God has with us) And on this vision they worked day after day, month after month, until…just a few years later…strangers were knocking on their door asking for tours. A mess became a mecca. A barren wilderness became a lush garden. And even for November—when I was there—ripe and ready-to-pick food was everywhere. ”You shall bear fruit in all seasons.”
🌿 A Maturing Plot of Imperfections 🌿
Don’t judge me because I’m so dark – Song 1:6a
Henry took us to a row of Bok Choy plants (a vegetable in the cabbage family) that were riddled with bug-chewed holes. It was mentioned how most people see a plant like that and instantly reject it. But informed people and cultures? They trust such imperfections! To them it can be a sign the food is ‘real,’ and contains more nutrition.
“An insight into true theology!” Henry said.
“Oh? How so?” My interest was piqued; I wasn’t expecting this.
Henry went on to explain that when the Bible talks about “perfection,” (e.g. “be perfect as my Father in heaven is perfect”) the meaning of the word “perfect” is not to be flawless. Not even forgiven-like flawless. Rather it’s to be mature… complete…grown up!
“So,” he continued, “With that as the goal, it means perfection in this life is possible!
Thoughts then burst open in me like moonflower blooms. What Henry was saying ran counter to much of what I’ve e
xperienced in “religion,” where the focus was on doing less bad things while doing more good things. And usually, what best served the machinery of the church. Being authentic was a struggle. And the use of artificial and toxic methods¹ for spiritual growth only worked to make the outside appear “perfect,” while covering up an immature and tasteless inner life.
But nature speaks of another way. It teaches us when we simply submit to God and “let His nature take its course,” we are in the perfect place to be made perfect without having to compare ourselves to anyone else. Maturity isn’t a beauty contest. It’s a result of being rooted and grounded where our Father has us, and allowing the lessons He sends our way to humble and transform us—for He is our master gardener.
As for the “bruises, worm holes, and dirt” of organic life? Nature teaches us to be okay with this, too. There’s no fear of being disqualified. To abide in God’s garden in the midst of this world is to get a little dirty sometimes. This isn’t an excuse to wallow in mud. It’s just that our weaknesses and failures are more a sign of being real, than of anything that might disqualify us!
Do you see this as good news like I do? The most life-giving people you’ll ever meet aren’t those who hide their battle scars, but despite them, and with them, courageously go on to grow and mature as the planting of the Lord.
🌿 A Garden of Wafting Fragrance 🌿
The vines are in blossom; they give out their fragrance. – Song 2:13
Another thing I noticed: the garden wasn’t advertising itself. There was no sign at the road. No ads in the paper. Henry and Carol don’t even blog. But somehow people find them through word-of-mouth and chance encounters. Some of the people are sick and want to learn how plants can help them. Other people are looking for tips how to turn their own yards into “secret gardens” as well.
And the local community, cold to them at first, (they are in a staunch Bible belt region) are warming to them. In fact, this was demonstrated when we were touring the front yard. About four cars drove by during that time span and each one beeped and waved! Henry told us that ever since owning the land, he began his day walking the perimeter meditating and praying. When a car passed by, he waved at them. Now, after years of doing this every day, he’s known to everyone as “the waving man!”
To me this is a whimsical example of how simple expressions of love have a fragrance—and can be discerned by others from afar off. Even in a “garden enclosed,” God’s life is powerful. It is organic. It can’t help but overflow walls, spread to remote places, and ultimately win even the hardest of hearts.
Here’s to all the “secret gardens” everywhere that contain God’s amazing, abundant life!
🌱🍎🌼🌿🍷🌿🌼🍎🌱
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