Welcome
to the
Castle Garden!
I love to walk in the garden
alone, or with someone else.
Early, I find the strength
I need to face the troubles
the coming hours might bring.
This is one of my favorite places.
Honeysuckle, lilac, rose and petunia,
all share their fragrance
in the morning dew.
This morning I thought of a poem,
but I didn't remember the author.
The Watered Lilies
The Master stood in His garden,
Among the lilies fair,
Which His own right hand had planted,
And trained with tenderest care.
He looked at the snowy blossoms,
And marked with observant eye,
That the flowers were sadly drooping,
And the leaves were parched and dry.
"My lilies need to be watered",
The Heavenly Master said.
Wherein shall I draw it for them,
To raise each drooping head?
Close to his feet on the pathway,
Empty and frail and small,
An earthen vessel was lying,
Which seemed no use at all.
But the Master saw it and raised it,
From the dust in which it lay,
And smiled as He gently whispered,
"This shall do My work for today".
"It is but an earthen vessel,
But it lay so close to me,
It is small, but it is empty-
That is all it needs to be!"
So to the fountain He took it,
And filled it to the brim,
How glad was the earthen vessel,
To be of some use to Him!
He poured forth the living water,
Over His lilies so fair,
Until the vessel was empty,
And again He filled it there.
He watered the drooping lilies
Until they were revived again.
And the Master saw with pleasure,
That His labor had not been in vain.
His own hand had drawn the water
That revived the thirsty flowers
But He used the earthen vessel,
To convey the living showers.
And to itself it whispered,
As He laid it aside once more,
"Still will I lay in His pathway,
Just where I did before".
"Close will I keep to the Master,
Empty will I remain,
And perhaps some day He might use me,
To water His flowers again".
If anyone can tell me the author I will be happy to give credit. If anyone can tell me where I might get permission to keep this poem here, I will be happy to ask! If anyone can point out the many errors of my memory, I will be more than happy to correct them! My apologies to the author for poorly presenting such a beautiful poem!
