As I checked another day off my planner, I knew an escape from my office was absolutely necessary. Something to refresh my spirit. One of those ‘Artist Dates’ that Julia Cameron writes about.
Ice cream? Nah — not really hungry for it and not healthy anyway. Chai tea? Nope — too late in the day for caffeine. Retail therapy at my favorite boutique? Silly — save your money for this week’s grocery bill or the climbing gas prices.
So I drove to the one place where I might find something creatively beautiful. Something to bring cheer and renewed hope. Something that would last for a while.
Especially during spring, just walking through aisles of flowers in the various lawn and garden nurseries brings a sense of peace. Salmon pink lilies, Indian blanket daises that remind me of New Mexico, mounds of lavender, dark purple clematis, and calibrachoa in multiple colors. All of these and more give me pause and help me focus on what is truly important.
The color of life blends in with God’s texture of hope. I constantly marvel at the way God so carefully details each stamen, draws tiny faces on pansies, and outlines a yellow zinnia with a bright orange border.
It is difficult to just walk through the aisles and not choose something to plant in my own garden, yet I need to watch my budget.
On this day, I tried — really, I did — for about two minutes. Then I could not ignore that bright coreopsis any longer and also found an Indian blanket that raised its lovely head and whispered, “Plant me.”
Two purchases that I quickly transferred to my yard, mounded the fresh mulch around their roots, and prayed a blessing over them. “God, bless the planting here. Thrive and grow. Attract the pollinators and bring me joy.”
These plants will give pleasure throughout the summer and autumn months. They may also return next year to greet me when the snows of winter and the cold winds disappear.
As Frank Kafka wrote, “Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.”
A trip to the garden nursery may seem like just a bit of retail therapy, but it so much more. For within those aisles of color, texture, and beauty — I find not only pretty flowers, but I am reminded of Who makes it all possible.
It’s more than just a planting. It’s a reason to worship.
©2026 RJ Thesman – All Rights Reserved
Ruthie understood the importance of gardening. Read her story in Seeking the Land of Grace.