The Garden
Dedicated to Margaret L. Jordan on February 17, 2006
These plots of ground that we sow in this life
Some raise joy and happiness, others sorrow and strife
Some gardens are isolated, restricted and small
While others sow far and wide with plants quite tall
The limited gardeners plant on their own soil
Reducing their work and limiting the toil
Many a fine harvest it is that they reap
With their own produce and products to keep
But the Master's gardeners are more adventurous and bold
They plant wherever they can for a harvest of souls
Thru industrious labor and vigilant duty
Their wide spread gardens are a wonder of beauty
For they know no bounds to the soil that they till
No limits are kept on the young plants they fill
With love, tender care and gentleness giving
They raise a diverse crop to preach to the living
Their produce may blight or be damaged by vandals
But the hearts have been sealed by that carpenter in sandals
They have been fertilized with His words from their earliest days
Weeded of sin, warmed by His love and guarded by praise
Many of the plantings started by younger gardeners
Turned over to your care to turn into flowers
Some sorely neglected of the Master's warm Son
While others were well sown, watered, and begun
But with each small planting you've given your life
While still struggling yourself to be a mother and wife
You invested your love, prayers, time and your tears
To bring many a young plant to it's mature years
What countless gardens are now a result your growing
Where the seeds of your planting are constantly showing
In the thousands of lives a daily harvest they bring
An ever growing bumper crop to your Master and King
By Mark L. Jordan for Mom on her eightieth birthday