Walking In The Garden

Friday, April 20, 2018
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Genesis 3:8 – When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. (NLT)

Walking in the garden was a Sunday afternoon tradition.

Edisto Gardens is located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, USA — the only town that the 250-mile-long Edisto River passes through. The river is one of only a few blackwater rivers — so named because the decaying vegetation falls into the river and gives it a black appearance. A smaller pond filled with fish and turtles idles near a rose garden where prize roses show off their sparkling blooms. Several paths meander on either side of the paved road snaking through the middle of the gardens. Moss-covered oaks keep most of the garden shaded. Several small covered sheds provide a resting place for those who want to sit and admire the beauty.

When I was a small boy, my paternal grandfather brought me here every Sunday afternoon. It was our alone time. We stopped in the sheds so that I could read the names of those who had disobeyed park rules and carved their names in the wood. We ambled along the river's edge to the waterwheel. It served no purpose but continued turning as if it did. And my granddaddy held my hand as I walked along the rock wall, trying to maintain my balance. Spending time in the garden with my grandfather was always enjoyable.

Walking in the cool of the Garden of Eden with God must have been enjoyable for Adam and Eve as well. Wondering how two people could walk with God — or questioning whether or not He was physically present — misses the point. They spent time with their Creator. How long this continued before the tempter showed up, we can't be sure. I suppose that growing older interrupted my walks with my grandfather. Disobedience did for the first couple.

God wants nothing more than to enjoy these garden walks with us. It happens initially through accepting what His Son did on Calvary's cross, but it continues thereafter through the spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers. Sin, misplaced priorities, busyness, and any number of other things can disrupt our garden walks, but they don't have to.

Though God expelled Adam and Eve from the garden, He still walked with them when they confessed and sought reconciliation. He'll do the same for us when we copy their behaviour.

Don't let anything interfere with your garden walks with the Father.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your willingness to walk with us through every day of our lives. Amen.

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About the author:

Martin Wiles <mandmwiles@gmail.com>
Greenwood, South Carolina, USA

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Nice Martin, reaches us in a gentle, easy, way. Thank you.


    Do you think snowy forest walks count too?
    Blessings.


    Thanks Martin for sharing this devotional so that we could place our hand in God’s open one and walk with Him. Such peace in that walk! Blessings.


    Hi Martin,
    You are so right, God walks with us all the time, if we would all just acknowledge His presence.
    Blessings.


    One of my favourite verses in the Bible! I often imagine, and look forward to walking with Jesus in the cool of the evening when I get to heaven.
    Thanks for the picture here, with your grandad, Martin.


    Hello Martin
    What a beautiful memory and devotional. I enjoy my garden a lot and that is one song I will sing whenever, I Come to The Garden Alone.
    Love it and so peaceful.
    God bless.


    What a wonderful start to the day! Thank you for sharing your insight. Always a pleasure to read and an inspiration to my life. Have a great day and enjoy a walk with God as I have just done through your timely message. It has been a long, long winter here in southern Ontario Canada so we welcome the sun and warmer temps predicted for today as I head out on the road to attend Synodical. Blessings.


    What a beautiful picture you have painted for us.
    Here in Toronto we are recovering from a late season ice storm and dealing with large chunks of falling ice. We all yearn for spring, so late this year.
    I am sure the Lord must have walked with you and your grandfather too.
    Thanks for bringing spring and the Lord into our hearts today.


    Good sunny morning Martin!! Thank you for your fitting devotional on this Friday, the start of Earth Day Weekend in our city and our Church. In the Garden; the song and a walk giving thanks and praise to God and to those who accompany us.
    Thank you, Martin, Jane Anne, all the contributors and all those who make my morning devotional a time of Worship!
    (Ontario Canada)


    Good Morning Martin,
    Again I’m sending a note to thank you for your devotions. “Walking in the garden” was excellent!


    Dear Martin Wiles,
    A precious devotional. I praise God for walking in gardens with us, also for walking with us in the life of a woman whose funeral I attended recently.
    She was unable to recognize many people or speak many words only in the final few weeks of her life. I praise God.
    I pray that God will keep you writing.


    Martin,
    Thanks for the spiritual walk down memory lane!
    (CA)

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