The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.
During the days of endless rain last week, I dutifully wrote in my gratitude journal, praising God for filling the reservoirs, restoring the rivers and streams, and degrading the risk of drought and wildfire this summer. All good reasons to be thankful. Yet, I confess, that was a more intellectual gratitude than a visceral one.Then, on Friday, the clouds lifted. I took myself off to the Butchart Gardens and filled my senses. The fragrance of hyacinth lifted my spirits with every breath. The daffodils nodded their heads, cheering my soul. Blossoming trees against a blue, blue sky invited me to look upward. No need to work at gratitude when visiting the Gardens in spring. God's goodness is on full display.
The story goes that Jennie Butchart was appalled at the ugliness left behind from the family business of quarrying limestone and making cement. Then, one day while surveying the limestone pit, she had a vision.
"The perpendicular quarry walls, twisted from dynamite blasting, dropped sixty feet to a quagmire of two and a half acres of clay. Out of a subterranean spring percolated a muddy creek which fed a deep pond on the quarry floor. A hummock of grey rock, unfit for cement, rose like a spire from the centre… Jennie Butchart stood and cried.
It was then an inspiration came to her, ‘Like a flame’ she was to say, ‘for which I shall ever thank God.”
It was in that moment that the seed of what would become the world famous Butchart Gardens was planted.
I also gave thanks for Jennie Butchart and her descendants for making this jewel accessible to local residents. The cost of a yearly pass (equivalent to two regular admissions) is the best deal around. In the spring I can visit for the daffodils, a week later for the tulips, and a week after that for the azaleas. In summer I can enjoy the many concerts as well as the rose garden, the lilies, the sweet peas, and the zinnias. Come winter, I'm welcome to take in the Christmas light up or the Spring Prelude in February. All on my yearly pass.
The home the Butchart's built on this site was named "Benvenuto," meaning welcome in Italian. A highly fitting name since they welcomed thousands of visitors to enjoy the garden. The transformation of the limestone quarry began in 1904 and by 1915, they reported 18,000 visitors. By 1925 the yearly total was more than 50,000. During that time, the Butchart's did not charge admission, but offered all these visitors a cup of tea.
On Saturday we held a funeral at SPPC for Erma, a member of our congregation who had lived a "long and adventurous life." The pews were filled with folk from many walks of life -- Erma had broad interests. There were young and old and in-between. There were relatives by blood and "family" by choice. She left a legacy of affection and example.
We heard over and over that she greeted life, whether it be hard or pleasant, with a smile on her face. We heard of the stream of people who passed through her front door and shared a meal at the family table. We heard of her general belief in "love your neighbour" and we heard of instances when that love was shown, as a teacher, a volunteer, a shoulder to lean on.
She lived life with kindness, curiosity and love for others.
In an age when one the world's richest men is campaigning against philanthropy, we need role models like Jennie Butchart and Erma. We need the example of those who walk with God and hold out a helping hand to a neighbour.
When our time on this earth ends, would we rather be remembered for amassing measureless wealth or for our kindness, and generosity, and faithfulness?
Well that's an easy question to answer, the latter, kindness, generosity and faithfulness!
ReplyDeleteHowever, I have riches untold, each and everyday and they continue for eternity!
Many others have big bank accounts, and many physical riches but are they truly happy and what will that take with them them when this life ends?
Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul!
Thank you Alice for another wonderful read - at 2a.m.in the morning. I remember when we first immigrated to Canada we arrived in Saskatoon. While we were there, I was reading a Readers Digest and in it was a story about Butchart Gardens. I said to Alan I would absolutely love to go to that garden and see it and I think at that time, he most probably promised that we would go one day. Well we came to Vancouver Island in 1968. We have been living in our house for 56 years, and we are only a 15 minute drive from Butchart Gardens.I can’t begin to tell you how many times we have been there. We love the spring prelude. and all the other seasons that you have mentioned. I marvel at God‘s glory every time we go around. There is also another little garden near us that we absolutely love and that is the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific where they train the gardeners. It is quite different from Butchart - Less formal, but beautiful anyway and also less crowded. We love to walk there and see all the blossoms appearing in the Spring. In the summer the roses are amazing. They also have a winter garden and a children’s garden. You most probably have been there. It is well worth a visit and we also have passes for the year. This one is only five minutes away by car for us. We live in paradise on Vancouver Island and we thank the Lord that we found our way here 58 years ago from Saskatoon.
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