Who Is Tending the Royal Garden?

Just one week ago on Saturday at six o’clock in the morning, my girls and I sat in our home eating scones and swooning over every detail of the Royal Wedding. So much of this lovely affair allowed romantic memories from my teen years in the 1980s to flow back into my heart. I thought of the wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles that I had also risen so early to watch as their own fairytale played out. 

Naturally, to me, the most precious things about Princess Meghan and Prince Harry’s wedding were the remembrances planned to pay tribute to Harry’s Mother, Princess Diana. From the hymn that was sung at Diana’s funeral to the stunning ring on Meghan’s hand that caught our eyes after the reception, these small but monumental tokens couldn’t help but be noticed by many who adored Lady Di (as we lovingly called her).

We pondered, our eyes wide open, as Meghan and Harry’s day progressed. When I watched the replay of the wedding, I think the most precious part, to me, was the fact that Harry had gone out to his late mother’s garden on the eve of his wedding and picked Princess Diana’s favorite flowers for his bride to hold as she walked down the aisle. From the first love of his life, his mum, to the newest love of his life, his princess, the tiny tender roots planted so long ago provided the blossoming display of botanicals to be an integral part of the day. The forget-me-nots, sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine, and astrantia—each white flower stemmed back to the love for his mother. 

Who couldn’t help but also think of the royal gardeners who, for all these years, tended to these flowers of great value? What pride they must have taken knowing that the special flowers were about to be on stage for the world to see. The flowers in the bride’s bouquet could not have been more intentionally cared for and cherished than for this very moment.

In the days following the wedding, I kept thinking about the gardeners. What were they doing now? The “big moment” where their flowers would be center stage was over. Was the joy gone from caring for and cultivating each tender seedling? Absolutely not! And you know why? Because the gardeners have likely already begun dreaming about the wedding day that will probably happen 20 or so years from now for little Prince George, the heir to the thrown.

This week I read a quote applicable to gardeners of all types:

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”

The analogies speak loud and clear. First, keeping in mind that everything we do has meaning and purpose, what am I doing to develop my talents and gifts? We serve the great High King who planted those gifts within us for a reason. What an honor. What a privilege.

I’ve often said that hope is defined by believing that tomorrow can be different from today.

Are we planting seeds of faith into the lives of others, believing that one day, their lives will be different as a result of our efforts? From children and grandchildren to co-workers and friends, we have opportunities to nurture, cultivate, and help those around us grow. Hopefully and prayerfully, many people’s lives will be touched by ours as we attempt to plant seeds, scatter joy, and stand back in the shadows, cheering them on.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Takeaways

• Who has planted seeds in your life to grow you into the person you are today? Thank them.
• Who are you coming alongside to help cultivate his or her fruit bearing in life? Live intentionally.
• Pray and ask God to give you vision for the future and how you, personally, can make a difference, wherever you are, because of His grace in your life.