Tarrying With the One

“I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses…And the voice I hear falling on my ear The Son of God discloses. And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own; And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.” C. Austin Miles, “In the Garden.”

Well I certainly wasn’t prepared to be undone this morning as I began my morning. But, when the echoes of our childhood reverberate in our hearts tears flow, hearts awaken from a long winter’s sleep, and comfort and peace can be ours alone. This morning I was texting with someone I love who is awaiting some medical resolution. I had just expressed how, for myself, the wait gives gifts like no other. For all of us it is so hard living in the tension of what may be and what is not yet known. That is when we must take our fears and circumstances to our beautiful Father. And then out of nowhere came this song above. I can still close my eyes and see my dad sitting at the piano in the living room striking the ivories to this beautiful song. He knew right where to pound the keys to deliver its most powerful affects. But for the first time ever, I noticed a certain line that delivered the punch… ‘And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.’

The image of being alone in the garden with the voice of God seems so peaceful…so comforting…so intimate. It sings promises of long walks together, private talks that no one else can hear. He reminds us during these garden times that we are His own, taking as much time with us as needed…never tiring of comforting our fears. He knows that our circumstances feel like forever, but He uses the time of tarry to fellowship with us. The time of tarry teaches us things we don’t know about ourselves and our God. The time of tarry are times of reminders that He is in total control of our situations. The gifts of tarry are joy when things don’t feel happy…peace when we have no reason to feel peace…promise when things look dire.

Some of the most wonderful things are things shared with another. Even the tough times are less tough when we go through a difficult time with someone who loves us. God loves us so much more than anyone could ever dare. As we tarry in the garden with the One who knows our tomorrows, may we all experience the joy that can only come from above. As our circumstances shift like shadows among trees, may we keep our eyes on the One who remains constant in the garden.

The image of being alone in the garden with the voice of God seems so peaceful…so comforting …so intimate. It sings promises of long walks together, private talks that no one else can hear. He reminds us during these garden times that we are His own, taking as much time with us as needed…never tiring of comforting our fears. He knows that our circumstances feel like forever, but He uses the time of tarry to fellowship with us. The time of tarry teaches us things we don’t know about ourselves and our God. The time of tarry are times of reminders that He is in total control of our situations. The gifts of tarry are joy when things don’t feel happy…peace when we have no reason to feel peace…promise when things look dire.

Some of the most wonderful things are things shared with another. Even the tough times are less tough when we go through a difficult time with someone who loves us. God loves us so much more than anyone could ever dare. As we tarry in the garden with the One who knows our tomorrows, may we all experience the joy that can only come from above. As our circumstances shift like shadows among trees, may we keep our eyes on the One who remains constant in the garden.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” James 1:17.