“We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.” Romans 8:23

Our Church has a Memorial Garden in the back, where the cremains of over 2 dozen former Church and family members lie in rest, awaiting the return of our Savior Jesus Christ. It was my father’s idea. He felt that scattering precious ashes to the wind seemed disrespectful. So the Memorial Garden was set up, without markers, as a place go, remember and pray. WORK just kinda came along!

As it stands, only half the Garden has been kept up. That half is where the people are. The other half just kind of… GROWS! And since Florida is a flowering state, stuff grows like crazy! We don’t have a regular gardener, so when things get out of hand, whoever feels led goes to the garden to trim or pull weeds. This last week Katie and I felt led to get to work. This morning… we groan!

‘Out of control’ describes the ‘other half’ of the Garden, and trees, weeds and vines have grown to that state! The ONLY way to get things back under control is to get in there and manually pull, cut, trim and haul away the debris. When the temperature and the humidity hit in the 90’s, desire and expectation often fail to meet! Realistically, it’s gonna take longer than we thought!

As hours passed by yesterday, we both became sweaty messes. Passing a point where I had no more to give, I looked toward the site where my father’s ashes lay and actually felt jealous! Where HE is now, I will go. But not just yet. For now… I work, sweat and groan! As I remembered this Bible verse, my soul became buried in sorrow, but my spirit was refreshed with God’s Hopeful promise!

This world is EXACTLY how it was for Adam and Eve after ‘The Fall.’ The curses of work, weeds, sweat and death remain as evidence of sin’s consequence. Yet my desire to live, enjoy, prosper and flourish point to the inward Truth, written on my heart by God, that THIS is NOT the way things were meant to be! In joyful sorrow, He calms me with His promise… Where He is… I will go… but not just yet!

Will YOU be there with Him? And are you looking forward, with Hope, to the trip?