We Spent Good Friday In A Garden

After an unseasonably chilly week for a Florida spring break, the sun shone brightly and gave warmth to Good Friday, so we drove out to the glorious Bok Tower Gardens for the first time.  Our little family immensely enjoyed the fresh air, bright sunshine, and stunning views.

And He walks with me

And He talks with me

And He tells me I am His own

And the joy we share as we tarry there

None other has ever known.

In The Garden, Hymn from 1912

It's quite a walk up the path to the top, but an invigorating one.  We stopped and looked and explored and suddenly there it was in all its glory, this cathedral like tower to the sky in the midst of nature's splendor.

We made it just in time for the carillon to ring out its three o'clock concert, and played a fun game of frisbee as the bells serenaded us.

It was an exquisite afternoon.  On the way out Madi commented that Jesus gave us a beautiful day on His special day.  I had to agree, and in my heart marveled once again that the special day she spoke of was the day Jesus gave His life for us, took the sins of the world upon Him.  The day love made the ultimate sacrifice.  It was in a garden that Jesus asked God to take the cup of suffering from Him, yet surrendered to the will of His Father.  And it was in a garden that He was betrayed and arrested, taken away to the cross where He took my place and yours.

So I suppose it was fitting that we spent Good Friday in a garden.  Though we spent it in freedom, in laughter, in celebration.  Because we know the rest of the story.  Death was defeated by love, sin was conquered, the stone rolled away.  Jesus Christ is alive and He has set us free!

Happy Easter!  I pray that you too have in surrender been set free.

Lovingly, Jennifer