I planted a Magnolia tree outside my kitchen window some years ago.

It has now well established and brings me joy when it comes to life.

Here in Ireland it is one of the first trees of spring to produce flowers .

This year spring has been delayed five weeks according to the experts because of cold weather.

Birds were interrupted in building nests and daffodils held back their yellow trumpets till warmer days.

 It is now mid May and the garden is bursting into life with tulips and rhododrendon blossoming all at once.

 This is the first year sparrows have nested in our hedgerow.

As I look out my window and see them I am reminded of Matthew 6 v 28 when Jesus said

“Look at the birds of the air they do not sow nor reap or store away in barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?

The Magnolia flowers have appeared at last and look like candles.

 They open up and seem like white doves perched on the spreading branches. Or like the fingers of a hand opening up in praise to God.

The leaves are a luminescent green and glow at dusk.

This beautiful picture develops before my eyes each year without any effort on my part.

Men get praise and awards for beautiful houses they build.

An artist is recognised for a piece of work he produces.

When we have a meal that is lovingly prepared we praise the cook!

As I see the beauty and glory of my garden I cannot but help praise God who created all this life.

I remember the words from Isaiah 61 v 11

“For as the soil makes the young plant come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteous and praise spring up before the nations.”

Man, if he meditates on his creator, is likened to a tree in Psalm one.

“He is like a tree planted beside streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leave does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers.”

Enjoy your garden.

Angela