Alone in the Garden.

(The Good Good Gardener - Journal Entry #9)

Journal Entry #9: 6/13/25

I’ve turned from the fire to gaze into your eyes—now all of me is consumed.

Good Afternoon from Victory Garden!
As I write today’s journal entry, I am surrounded by a calm and cool Valley breeze. The sound of distant crows are squawking their voices for the entire neighborhood to hear, and the Italian cypress tress humbly sway their way toward the heavens. Jesus is so kind—this year’s afternoons have been especially full of deep delight. I find myself losing any perception of time as I sit here and simply be (a recurring theme, if you haven’t noticed).

Lindsay has been out of town on a summer vacation, so my hands have been happily full tending to this big ol’ garden we’ve created. Though it may seem like I am all alone, nothing could be further from the truth. The Lord has been with me every single step of the way, continuously showing me the joy of loving and helping maintain His creation. There’s a beautiful balance God has woven into the daily rhythms of our lives. And though I miss Lindsay dearly, I’m reminded of the jealous love of my Abba—to enjoy the quiet adventures of the secret place.

Yes, every single day the Lord desires time alone with each of His children. Selah.

Back in January, the Lord invited me to study the book of John as a recurring theme for this year. John, “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 21:20), was marked by the fragrance of doing life with God. From what John has written in scripture, I find myself consistently stirred by the way he showed his love for God. John loved the ministry of watching Jesus in action, delighted in leaning on his Beloved, and was never ashamed to declare his identity as God’s son.

Even as I write this, I can sense the roaring confidence of our Savior illuminating through John’s words. Like him, I too am learning the rich value of friendship with Jesus and the endless mounds of mercy found in beholding His presence daily. It’s here, in this garden of our heart, that I’ve found myself in a special place of enjoyment—when I know no one’s watching but Him. As God tends and grows His good good garden within me, I’m realizing how sacred and Holy those unseen moments of life were always meant to be. The Lord beckons our presence; the world desires our distraction—and we have the choice to choose.

Being aware that something is always after my attention, I’ve found tremendous strength in praying diligently throughout my day—asking the Lord to highlight anything that doesn’t need to hold my gaze. I encourage anyone reading this to do the same.

If we are not our thoughts… how much more are we not the lies?

Something to think about.