And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers. (Genesis)
The Garden of Eden is, shall we say, the scene of the crime. But before it was marked off with yellow tape and both the perpetrators and victims (one in the same, really) had to leave, this is picture of the original plan for the inhabitants of Eden:
And as much as we’ve gotten off course, remember, it is still God’s desire for you. Every day. Every situation. Every conversation. Every interaction. Infused with potential for Eden to return through us to a world in need of remembering as well.
Love —Satisfaction—Extravagance—Freedom—Belonging—Recreation—Truth—Trust—Purity—Submission—Stewardship—Unity—Kindness—Blamelessly—With abandon—Acceptance—Celebration—Faith—Generosity—Joy—Purpose—Empathy—Rhythm—Hope—Elation—Esteem—Healthy—Peace—Secure (in our being)—Wanted/Desired/Picked/Seen.
How has this overall series impacted you and your soul?
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Every comment this week will be added to a drawing on SUNDAY (I changed my mind and have a post for Sunday night) for a set of Holly’s cards (your choice). Following Janet and Holly’s generosity on this project, every comment will be an entry. If you wonder what we’re up to this week, we’re sitting on benches :).
This is the best series I have ever encountered and reflected upon. The “Reminders from Eden” was a remarkably fresh and inviting way to examine life in the now in light of life everlasting…eschatalogical in its approach, now that I think of it and i will be returning again and again to these reflections. Well done, Amy and friends.
I think that the title of this post describes quite well the way this series has impacted my soul. It has given me a picture of God’s heart. It has both reminded and challenged me that God is bigger and better than I could every imagine! He wants so much for us to breathe in Truth and breathe out lies. He is a God of love, extravagance, freedom, trust, abandon, acceptance, celebration, generosity, joy, purpose, hope, elation, peace, and security. I guess that’s the list of the ones I needed to hear most,
Definitely the Satisfaction post. Ugh. “Enough” will be the word I focus on for 2014 and it’s already irritating me in 2013! :) I stopped purchasing extra things for myself I didn’t “need” about a month ago and it’s been challenging but really good.
Thank you for all of these thoughts!