The Garden Pot

 

In a rustic-looking corner-spot of the yard, there's a large garden pot of chilli trees weaving themselves through wild tomato plants and a lone carrot tree. It’s all a bit much to have in one pot, but for as long as it is all in there, I will remain grateful for its teaching ways. My garden reminds me that falling flowers can never diminish the magnificence of a tree – its death only makes way for something more grand. Indeed, every absence and flaw is not without a purpose.

“Verily, along with every hardship comes relief/  Verily, along with every hardship comes relief.” [94:5-6]

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Growing Pains

I used to believe that growing pains disappeared at 13, until the day that they appeared perfectly transposed -  swapping  my legs for my heart as the preferred plaything of the season. 

I have come to learn (somewhat belatedly) that growing pains cease only momentarily, to resume once more in altering forms; the aches of bitter experiences, unrealised dreams, or those which grip a lonely and rejected heart. A heart given to the depths of feeling and dreaming, pain, happiness, hope and learning. That heart is a heart of mounting wisdom, born not from a natural excellence, but a burning and solidifying process. Praise be to God, Who gives us that for which we don't ask, but in His infinite knowledge understands best the things we first require in order to to be wise and beautiful.

Glory be to Him, The Greatest.

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