So Long My Friends by Jaye Lewis

Hello friends,

I want to thank you for finding something positive with my Lilies of the Field blog. I hope that I have given you something meaningful to take with you. However, I will be discontinuing Jaye Lewis Lilies of the Field and focusing on my main blog Entertaining Angels Encouraging Words. Health and time management is my reason for this decision. In the future, please visit www.entertainingangelsencouragingwords.blogspot.com to follow my journey. Thank you for your loyalty and friendship.

With love,

Jaye Lewis

www.entertainingangelsencouragingwords.blogspot.com

www.entertainingangels.org

The Closet Tulip Lover by Jaye Lewis

“…Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these….”

KJV Matthew 6:28b-29

Hello Friends,

It took me nearly two hours to dig up the tulips. Desperately I dug around the roots of my favorite maple tree, all forty feet high and 65,000 roots of it. However, today I had to bite my tongue to keep from cursing it.

When they were first planted, the tulips were probably a foot and a half away from the base of a tiny tree. That was nearly 30 years ago! They survived, and this year they flourished. They bloomed a breathtaking red and a deep, plumb, black. Three of each taunted me, and I would have them! Or I would break every nail I had, trying to reach them!

I have never cared for tulips! Their heavy smell in the florist shop reminded me of every funeral I had ever attended. Yet in the last three springs, hiding beneath bushes and tree roots, they have brought about an extraordinary change in me.

From the first spring after we moved into our new home, I knew the garden was in trouble. This was my dream home, a thirty year old house, with split foyer, a bay window and a fifty-five foot deck. Much of the house and yard had been neglected, and the brambles and weeds housed several snakes -- one of which pulled his seven foot shiny body out of our swimming pool!

The yard is blessed with maple, birch, and walnut trees that shade the yard and reach for the heavens. A huge weeping willow graces the back of our property, and three sickly dogwoods were begging to be transformed.

It has been a hard journey, and I am not a young woman, nor are we wealthy. But I do see miracles. Some of the work is back breaking. Southwest Virginia is beautiful, all green and filled with flowering trees in the spring. Virginia soil, however, is an unforgiving combination of hardened clay and rocks from pebble to boulder size. As a rule, this is not the soil that will give to you, until after you have given to it.

Naturally, we have begun beds, mulching and composting as we go. Many prayers have stormed heavenward on my part, for rain, for the rain to cease, and for the money and the strength to persist, so that I can make something beautiful before I die. We have learned to save our newspapers and to beg our neighbors for their leaves and grass clippings. We are peculiar in our tenacity, and our neighbors have been generous and encouraging in their assistance.

I have learned patience, and I have learned that in rocky, clayey soil, it's the tortoise and not the hare that wins the race. Persistence and leverage conquer the weeds and all the overgrown bulbs and tubers and perennials just waiting to be discovered. Just the other day, my daughter and I rescued more daffodils than I have ever seen – so crowded together that only a few would bloom. We stopped counting at a hundred, and we still have two more sections to go.

In spite of my initial prejudice, remarkably my greatest joy are the tulips. None of them are the typical bargain basement variety that I had learned to dislike; and the scent that once had me thinking of funerals, after a long and unforgiving winter, has become pure heaven to my nose.

So, now you know. I am a closet tulip lover, and I will spend hours on my knees digging around congested tree roots until my nails break, just to save six bulbs -- three red and three black. Besides, that's the perfect position to send a prayer of thanksgiving to the One Who has made this all possible.

With love,

Jaye Lewis

www.entertainingangels.org

www.entertainingangelsencouragingwords.blogspot.com

www.jayelewisdiabetesdiary.blogspot.com

The One Acre Lot By Jaye Lewis

Hello friends,

I’m missing the summer, and it’s just killing me. It’s been a scorcher, after months of snow and rain. Rain, that’s a laugh. It’s been one deluge after another, here in the mid-Atlantic, and I feel guilty complaining at all, since we have escaped the horrendous flooding of the mid-west. Our skies are sunny, now, and our land is greener than any I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been far and wide. But this summer, I’ve been stuck indoors.

At sixty-four, I have less stamina than I did when I was young. I lived in my garden, while raising my children across this country. Raising children on military bases always included a garden, no matter how small. Even then, however, the heat of summer could fold me in half, but now, I fold in half, almost before I open the door. Yet, in the cool of early morning, as I bring out our tumbling, barking, passel of pampered puppies, I look out on all that God has given me in this one acre lot, and I am thankful.

Just off our back deck is a beautiful flowering pear tree. Tall and strong, I can remember when I planted it as a twig. One little seedling, planted by this rank amateur, has grown into a towering, flowering wonder in spring, and a bountiful harvest in fall for flocks of migrating birds. This tree is one of many that I have planted, with the enthusiastic encouragement and help of my husband and daughters. And when I can do nothing, they do it for me, out of unselfish, generous hearts.

So, if I cannot divide the lily bulbs that are begging to be divided; if I cannot withstand the heat for a moment in this dreadful summer, I know I can depend on my family to do what I cannot. Looking at my husband and beautiful daughters, toiling where and when they can, I can honestly say, perhaps they are my best garden of all.

My husband, tall and strong is greater than the tallest tree in our garden. He has withstood the tempests that have buffeted us in our life together, always faithful, loyal, and full of love. No towering oak has done as much as he to shade me from life’s harms.

My husband was a sailor when I met him, and he retired after twenty years from the Navy as a U.S. Navy Chief Electrician. Those years in the Navy, raising my daughters were a blessing, and, yet filled with tribulation. Our first Christmas in our new house, I gave him a small picture of a boy, holding a small boat, while standing at the edge of a tempest tossed sea. The caption under the picture reads: “Father, the sea is so large, and my ship is so small. Have mercy.” I think of that when life is hard to bear.

Father in heaven, my garden is large, and my strength is small. Have mercy. Lord, my health is marginal, and I long to be in my garden. Have mercy. And Lord, bless all gardeners who lift their eyes towards the heavens. May they know that they are not alone. I pray that they understand that You are with them. Lord, I ask You, for their sakes, too, have mercy.

With love,

Jaye Lewis

www.entertainingangels.org

Whispers to Our Hearts by Jaye Lewis

Hello friends,

Our vegetable garden is unbelievable. Daily, our vegetables grow inches. We’ve raised them from seed, under lights, with reflective insulation, air, and heat mats beneath. We planted the seeds in fiber cups, like peat-pots, and when necessary, our tomatoes were than transplanted into bigger peat pots. Most of the seedlings are now in raised beds, and they are remarkable.

My husband and daughter are watching over, and caring for each raised bed, making sure they have proper moisture and liquid fertilizer. The raised bed soil is a combination of bagged garden soil, vermiculite, composted cow manure, and sand. How differently things grow when not grown in heavy clay.

I feel that it is imperative that we all raise as much of our own food as possible. Food that can store. Food that can be frozen, canned, or dried. We grow our own herbs, and we air dry them, eventually storing them in large paper bags on top of the refrigerator all winter. Because paper bags breathe, we can be assured of transfer of any moisture through the bag where the air is warm and dry. Now it’s time to take the bags down, remove the leaves, and store them in tightly closed jars. We always throw in a few silica packs, which come in over the counter and some prescribed medications. If it helps, good, but if it’s needless, as least it makes us feel better.

I know that there has been much talk about global warming, and how we should all panic, but I’ve been watching the seasons, and things are blooming up to a month early. Our maple trees have shot forth with more seeds than I’ve ever seen, as well as our birch tree. The Rose of Sharon is starting to bloom. Our salvia is beginning to bloom. The roses are lush and shouldn’t start blooming for nearly a month, late spring. Everything is exploding.

In my estimation ― just by watching the habits of plants for sixty years ― we are in for a hard winter, and perhaps for many years to come. Now is the time to start a garden if you have the room. We’ve raised our seeds in fiber pots. Most seed companies carry them. Also look in Home Depot or Lowes, or your local farmers market, where you can buy seedlings now and get a more personal approach. Organic farmers love to share their knowledge. There are books in abundance at Amazon.com. One of the best is called Square Foot Gardening.

As you can see from the picture above, all of our raised beds are set up like little greenhouses. We’ve had two late freezes, and we’re expecting another this weekend. We cover everything in the yard especially the new apple trees, apricots, peaches, and other fruiting trees.

We all have a sense of urgency about this. Whatever God wants to teach us through our weather must be according to His own will, not always understood by us. However, I hope we will all listen to the pressure of His lips against our ears. Hear His whisper. He will guide us. He loves us. We are His children.

Remember the Icelandic volcano? All that sulfur dioxide is in the stratosphere. We will find a weather consequence for at least two years; however, all the earthquakes and volcanic activity have also moved the earth’s axis, which the global warming lobbyists laughingly tell us only affects our time, by less than seconds. Well that’s just silly. The tilting of the earth is what changes our seasons. We must pay attention to the weather, the trees, and our perennial plants, which are part of the earth’s ecosystem. Jesus said, we must pay attention to the times and the seasons. Well, maybe we don’t anymore, but we must. Now we must.

Father in heaven, we cannot know all of your will for us and our planet. We are aware of our sins against You and all of your creation, and we repent of our arrogance. Lord, as we turn to You, and listen to Your whispers to our hearts, may we be guided by your holy Wisdom and Grace. May we follow your instruction as we stumble along. Pull us, Lord, out of the raging torrent and bring us into a life of peace and joy.

With love,

Jaye Lewis

www.entertainingangels.org

In My Garden in the Morning by Jaye Lewis

Hello Friends,

Your lily garden may be only in your dreams so far; or you may be so experienced you certainly don't need my help, since I'm still learning. However, for those who are still seeking, I'd like to encourage you to think beyond summer, by including plantings that unfold, much like a theater production, with first, second, and third acts.

Springtime is the first act of your play, in your garden. In the spring, you are either clearing for beds, or you are delighting in your garden's first nodding buds. Perhaps you are looking out at a sea of dirt, and you are wondering if you have the patience to wait until fall to plant those beautiful lilies that you have fallen in love with. Well, all is not lost. It's not too late. You can still plant your lily bulbs and daylily starts (or fans) right now, and in mid to late summer your lilies will bloom amazingly. Then they will bloom right on time, year after year, becoming more and more lush, with little effort from you.

Two of my favorite bulb companies are Brecks at www.brecks.com and Dutch Gardens atwww.dutchgardens.com So enjoy your journey through your lily garden. You will be successful. Lilies are the most forgiving flowering plants on earth. No wonder Jesus loved them.

Since my very first garden, decades ago, I have learned just how close God is to my heart. I can't help myself. When I walk through my garden, I talk to Him. I always have. And when He speaks, as He always does, my heart listens.

In My Garden in the Morning

In my garden in the morning

Just at the break of day;

I watch to see God’s paintbrush

Sweep the night away.

The stars, they twinkle one last time,

While moon’s still in the sky.

My heart’s uplifted as I see

An angel passing by.

In my imagination,

I can see the choir chairs;

And I hear angelic voices

Singing sweetly in the air.

In my garden in the morning,

Where the snowdrops gently nod;

It is there within my garden

That my heart belongs to God.

He walks with me, and we discuss

My restless, troubled sleep.

His arm slips round my shoulders,

As I begin to weep.

He murmurs much encouragement

And calms my troubled heart.

Then as the sun climbs upward

I know He must depart.

I clutch His hand and beg Him

“Oh, Father, please don’t go!”

“Why daughter, I’m still with you,

For it’s I who love you so.”

It’s then that I remember

We are never far apart;

For any time I need Him,

I can feel Him in my heart.

In my garden in the morning,

Where the snowdrops gently nod;

It is there within my garden

That my heart belongs to God.

© Jaye Lewis, 2010

With love and Happy Easter

Jaye Lewis

www.entertainingangels.org

The Knockout Rose by Jaye Lewis

When we first moved into our home, about twelve years ago, the front yard was nothing but weeds, clay, and rock. I thought, I’ll never live to see beauty in this yard. Why on earth did we move here? I had no ideas. No clues. So, we just started, right where we were, and by the grace of God, we made a garden.

The picture I’ve included in this message, is of my lily garden. What? I don’t see any lilies? Oh yes you do. This is my lily garden in the spring, filled with roses. In every lily garden you want to have companion plants. The perfect companion plant for lilies are roses. Roses are at their best in spring and early to mid-summer. So, while you await summer’s promise of gorgeous waxen lilies, it’s so lovely to watch the roses bloom. These roses are the original Knockout Rose, a wonderful rose specimen that appeared on the market around 1998.

The Knockout Rose is disease and pest resistant, and it is nearly invincible in the southern Appalachians where I live. We have atrocious soil, enough rocks to build a house, and diseases and pests that are of Biblical proportions. When I planted my beauties, the neighborhood “garden-watch” could not resist saying to me:

“You can’t grow roses here.”

Now, since it was my yard, I felt, I could grow anything I wanted. So, I planted roses, about twenty of them, and they all died within a week. Japanese beetles defoliated every single rose bush. Even the Knockout Rose. Seeing the bare, green stalks nearly killed me. What was wrong with me that I didn’t have my mother’s magic with gardens and plants?

I went into the house and cried into my pillow for an hour. I’ll just wait until tomorrow to dig up the roses, I told myself. The next morning I began digging up what was to have been my rose garden. It was hard work. The sun was relentless, and I had to take many breaks. It was late afternoon before I got to the Knockout rose. My dreams dashed, I couldn’t see for the tears pouring from my eyes. Brushing them aside angrily, I started to dig. Wait a minute. Something was different. I bent closer to the plant, and to my surprise there were tiny buds of new growth. I couldn’t believe it, but I was encouraged enough to leave the last two roses alone.

You could literally see my beautiful Knockouts recover from the assault of the Japanese beetles. With nearly breakneck speed, first a leaf, then two, then three, appeared on each stalk. Morning and evening I checked on the growth of the remarkable rose. Mid-July heat or not, the Knockout Rose was true to its name. It seemed to shout at me. Never give up! Never call retreat! I listened to the courage of the Knockout Rose. No matter what plant dies ― and lots of things die in a southern garden, from disease or pests or weeds ― I’ll never give up on the possibilities of the next growing plant. That was nearly twelve years ago, yet my resolve has remained unshaken. No matter what, I will not accept defeat, not in the garden nor in my life.

Life, like a garden, is filled with pests and diseases. Troubles bang at our doors. Disappointment rips away at our resolve, and we just want the whole problem to go away. One predicament after another can defeat us, as if we are waiting expectantly to be buried. I know. I’ve lived it. Depression can crush us, and disappointment and heartache are waiting to conquer our spirits. It is so easy to give up, but do not quit. Do not give in. Hold on. There is a better tomorrow, for you and for the things you love.

During the last twelve summers, I have had numerous times that I wanted to quit. My health has deteriorated, and I have discovered that there are plants that simply will not thrive in our climate and our soil. They may be a weak variety, the wrong variety, or they simply don’t belong in a mountain garden.

Lilies and the Knockout rose are laughing exceptions to “let’s give up.” They will grow and flourish, no matter where you put them. Since that first year with the original Knockout, there have been many new cultivars of the original plant. We will get to them in another post, but take it from me, if it’s a rose that has the name “Knockout” don’t hesitate to buy it. Welcome it into your garden, along with lilies and other lily companions. Then step back and watch the blooms.

Father in heaven. It is in the garden that I feel closest to You. The peace of quiet growing things is lovely music to my soul. When a seedling grows, and becomes a tree, I can’t describe the joy that I feel. And when the lilies bloom, I can hardly believe they are real. Although bugs may alight on them, the strength of my lilies conquers all. I think that is why you mentioned them with love and admiration. How I love You, Lord, and I love all the beautiful things that you give me in my garden.

With love,
Jaye Lewis
www.entertainingangels.org
www.entertainingangelsencouragingwords.blogspot.com

www.jayelewisdiabetesdiary.com

Searching for Miracles by Jaye Lewis

Before God spoke the universe into existence He knew my name.

Before He created the atmosphere He held me in His heart.

Before He created the oceans, the land, the plants and creeping things He chose the color of my hair.

Before He created the animals and before He created the first man He loved me.

He placed within Adam’s body all of the DNA of every human being who would ever walk the earth, and within him he placed the color of my eyes.

Before He knit me together within my mother’s womb he cherished the sound of my laugh.

Before I shed my first tear he felt my pain.

Before my sin, my sorrow, and my stubborn disobedience, he chose to carry them to the Cross. He hung there His blood pouring out…for me.

Why he chose to do this I cannot comprehend. God wanted me to be his own child. How can that be? With all of my flaws and character defects He wanted me to believe in Him, and He gave me the grace to believe in myself.

God loves me with a fire that can never be quenched. I am special to him, even if I am not special to anyone else, including myself.

I have tried to perfect myself, and I have failed.

I have tried to believe the world’s message, but I have found no answers.

I have followed the paths forged by others only to find disaster at every bend in the road.

Only God has given me the answers that I have sought. Peace. Love. Fulfillment.

The change in my life is not a complicated one.

It’s not about how good I am or how I pray or how often I go to church. It’s not about money or fame or popularity.

I cannot speak for others. They must decide for themselves.

I only know that the world has given me no happiness.

After searching my entire life, I have only been able to find the answers to my questions, on my knees at the foot of the Cross.

© Jaye Lewis, 2003