This little girl came to the church for a wedding

A Garden of Love

by Thomas B. Clarke

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Pamper Yourself or Give it as a Gift

A Garden of Love was written to reveal the softness and gentleness of God's love as a symphony of colors, prose, sensitivity, and Scriptures, thereby forming a fresh and refreshing touch. Using flowers to paint an image of Christian love, my sense is that we are all looking for more love in our lives. In this book's journey, we will see flowers as an extension of God's love for us, and His hope that we will respond in love.

As Caretaker of the Gethsemane Prayer Garden at Faith Chapel in Syracuse, NY, I selected thirty precious flowers from the garden, each one symbolically calling us to respond in intimate relationship with the Lord and the fullness of Christian love. My hope is that you will sense how the flowers usher in softness, gentleness, and peace as each plant reveals another aspect of grace or kindness, joy or forgiveness, patience or faithfulness. In this way, we are lovingly ushered into God's intimate presence.

Touching
Look closely at the intricacy of the spectacularly elegant iris as it symbolizes grace. Sense the flexibility, humility and love in the soft and delicate cosmos. Delight in the intimacy of the forget-me-not as it radiates happiness, contentment, and sincerity. Each of the thirty flowers reaches out to touch us, to hold us, and to embrace us with His love.

Biblically based
At a wonderfully peaceful cabin at the Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park near Cooperstown, NY, I prepared the first draft of this book. During this period, the Holy Spirit pointed out Scripture verses about Christian love that somehow related to one flower or another – gentleness as represented by the lamb's ear; the peace and presence of our Lord as heralded through the honeysuckle vine; humility being shown in the primrose. As I received God's rest in this cabin, I was taken on a journey that revealed a Scriptures-based teaching of the mystery of love and the fullness of the expression of that love.

Gift book
With each flower, I selected a color photograph to help depict how love is represented through that flower – the encouraging effect of the phlox; the grace in the iris; the springtime joy of the daffodil; the representation of trusting the Lord in the lily. For that reason, many people have received this book as a gift ... and then bought copies for others.

Many people ask, "Who is the little girl?" Her family came to Faith Chapel in June 2009 for a wedding; her father took the photo while in the garden.

Here are some excerpts from the book: Cosmos | Iris | Lily