On the north side of my house is a happy tangle of ferns, hostas, violets and lily-of-the-valley. I call this my woods garden. For one thing, it grows without much help from me. For another, this pretty group of flowers reminds me of taking a walk through the woods. They like to sink their little feet (roots) into ground that is damper, cooler, and darker than the other flowers like.
Have you ever noticed that we like to keep reminders of peaceful things, of things that make us smile? Atop my mantel are a few candles, a couple of kerosene lamps, three old books, and a pair of ancient spectacles. The books are Christian Harmony (my great-grandfather’s song book), Snipp, Snapp, and Snurr and the Big Farm (does anybody remember those books by Maj Lindman?) and Normal Fifth Reader (1878). Now, those are books from a quieter, more serene time.
I like Bible verses that give me a feeling of peace and joy. So, I close this post with my favorite blessing from Numbers 6:24-26, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”
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