the little garden

One of the newer pendants in the gallery is "The Little Garden"... I like the idea of people finding their own meaning, so I've always kept my inspiration for the pieces to myself. But since I'm testing the waters with this blog, I thought I'd post the following, which was my inspiration for this piece. It's a little long, even though it's just an excerpt... but I think it's really beautiful...

"Love knows no bodies, and reaches to everything created like itself. Its total lack of limit is its meaning. It is completely impartial in its giving, encompassing only to preserve and keep complete what it would give. In your tiny kingdom you have so little! Should it not, then, be there that you would call on love to enter? Look at the desert-dry and unproductive, scorched and joyless-that makes up your little kingdom. And realize the life and joy that love would bring to it from where it comes, and where it would return to you.

The thought of Love surrounds your little kingdom, waiting at the barrier you built to come inside and shine upon the barren ground. See how life springs up everywhere! The desert becomes a garden, green and deep and quiet, offering rest to those who lost their way and wander in the dust. Give them a place of refuge, prepared by love for them where once a desert was. And everyone you welcome will bring love with him from Heaven for you. They enter one by one into this holy place, but they will not depart as they had come, alone. The love they brought with them will stay with them, as it will stay with you. And under its beneficence your little garden will expand, and reach out to everyone who thirsts for living water, but has grown too weary to go on alone...

You have reached the end of an ancient journey, not realizing yet that it is over. You are still worn and tired, and the desert's dust still seams to cloud your eyes and keep you sightless. Yet He Whom you welcomed has come to you, and would welcome you. He has waited long to give you this. Receive it now of Him, for He would have you know Him. Only a little wall of dust still stands between you and your brother. Blow on it lightly and with happy laughter, and it will fall away. And walk into the garden that love has prepared for both of you."