he made green.

And the moon is a sliver of silver
Like a shaving that fell on the floor of a Carpenter’s shop
And every house must have it’s builder
And I awoke in the house of God
Where the windows are mornings and evenings
Stretched from the sun
Across the sky north to south
And on my way to early meeting
I heard the rocks crying out
I heard the rocks crying out

Be praised for all Your tenderness by these works of Your hands
Suns that rise and rains that fall to bless and bring to life Your land
Look down upon this winter wheat and be glad that You have made
Blue for the sky and the color green that fills these fields with praise

And the wrens have returned and they’re nesting
In the hollow of that oak where his heart once had been
And he lifts up his arms in a blessing for being born again
And the streams are all swollen with winter
Winter unfrozen and free to run away now
And I’m amazed when I remember
Who it was that built this house
And with the rocks I cry out

— Rich Mullins, The Color Green. (1993)

I’ve written before about the connection I feel to Rich Mullin’s songs and work and this song has always spoken to my heart. Some years ago, I heard the most lovely interview where he was talking about his inspiration for writing it and what he said struck me in a way that has never left.

He said that, as he was sitting and looking at a stunning nature scape, it hit him – God MADE green. Out of nothing. He MADE it.

Since I heard that interview, I can’t say how many times I’ve been driving or traveling – or even just in my front yard on a bright beautiful morning – and been struck with the awesomeness of what that means.

Growth and nature and new life are especially on my heart as it is Easter – Resurrection – Weekend.

The Book of Genesis begins in a perfect garden and much of the imagery through the Psalms and the Old Testament is of natural beauty.

I know, after joking for many years that I had “brown thumb,” I have learned in the past few years or so that, not only is that untrue, but that my planting and tending and being surrounded by flowers is just what I need.

This anxious soul was meant to grow all the things.

my kitchen plant family.

Love these guys. My large orchid, my new sunset spring cactus ($5 from Trader Joe’s – and, oh my word, so pretty!), my lavender from Andy’s nursery is really growing, and my lil’ Bonsai.

my aloe may take over the world. . . bahaha. . . my other little plant was a tiny hospital gift from my husband in 2019 and has just really grown.

Lindsey’s wildflowers and my Ash Wednesday sunflowers are doing so well.

my mini azalea – with my grownup azalea in the background.

some of my cactus and succulent babies.

I can’t get over how beautiful the orange orchids are.

repotted baby Christmas evergreen. they often follow me home at Christmas. i lub them.

my better half just gave me two fabulous plant hangers. I’ve wanted them for some time and I am all about them. thank you lots, baby.

this was a tiny seedling that my bestie gave me when my precious grandmother passed away. it is so dear to my heart that I have to include it in my plants of course.

love this guy. another post holiday clearance rescue that has grown really well.

this little guy was a post-valentines clearance rescue. he’s adorbs.

Some of these have been with me for a few years now. They were my first plants that followed me home.

oh, my outside. i love it. the bottom left is a tomato and basil mini kit I planted the day before I went to the hospital. The top left are microgreens I planted when I got home from hospital. I also planted the thyme in the center and the yellow pot is baby daisies that were all planted at the same time. I can’t wait for them to keep growing. The covered pot are strawberries that are still “cooking.” And my mini roses were a gift from my better half in the hospital – I’ll repot them soon.

my other hanging planter from my better half. it’s planted with a fluffy curly fern. it’s my only fern and i’m really digging it. thank you lots, baby.

In thinking of seeing God’s hand in the newness of nature this season, I recall this passage from the Book of Job:

But ask the animals and they will teach you,

Or the birds in the sky and they will tell you,

Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,

Or let the fish in the sea inform you.

Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?

In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.

— Job 12:7-10 (NIV)

In His hand is the breath of all mankind. . . He made the color green. . .”for in Him we live and move and have our being. . . (Acts 17:28)”

Today is Good Friday, a day we think of Jesus laying down his life for us, and we wait for the new life of Easter Sunday.