Gardenia Time
Morning Prayer.
Psalm 19. Caeli enarrant.*
THE heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handy-work. One day telleth another; and one night certifieth another.
There is neither speech nor language; but their voices are heard among them. Their sound is gone out into all lands; and their words into the ends of the world.
In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun; which cometh forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a giant to run his course. It goeth forth from the uttermost part of the heaven, and runneth about unto the end of it again; and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
The law of the LORD is an undefiled law, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, and giveth wisdom unto the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, and rejoice the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, and giveth light unto the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, and endureth for ever; the judgments of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is thy servant taught; and in keeping of them there is great reward.
Who can tell how oft he offendeth? O cleanse thou me from my secret faults. Keep thy servant also from presumptuous sins, lest they get the dominion over me; so shall I be undefiled, and innocent from the great offence.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be alway acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.
“... life has nothing sweeter than its springtime.” Nothing is sweeter than gardenia time in Patty’s Garden, where Linda has two huge gardenia bushes which this spring have been prolific, and another tall one that also has been sweet this year.
At the head of the steps in the front yard is another.
Looking out the back door at the white cloud of gardenia blossoms shows that Life Is Good and It’s A Beautiful Day. And makes me mindful and grateful all over again for dear friends and loved ones who made possible and successful and memorable my trip to Cleveland Clinic.
Psalm 19 is surely the loveliest in all Scripture, and none more lovely than the Coverdale Psalter, the traditional psalms of The Book of Common Prayer, which predates even the KJV, and if anything, is lovelier to one raised in ancient Anglicanism.
Psalm 19 is itself a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. As is Linda's work in her garden.
TW+
OK, as Pat noticed, that last one is Linda's magnolia! The "matchsticks" must have been the giveaway!!
OK, as Pat noticed, that last one is Linda's magnolia! The "matchsticks" must have been the giveaway!!
- 1928 BCP, Coverdale Psalter