A Tale of Two Gardens – Part 1: In the Garden

The story of these two gardens are linked together by Him, Jesus. The first one is in the Garden Tomb. The second I loosely call a garden, it is the small lot on which our home rests. And in my heart, they are both linked to the song, In The Garden.

This is part 1:

Today in church we sang, In The Garden, and I was reminded of hearing and singing it as a child. As now, even then the words seemed very precious to me, creating a picture of intimacy and peace in His presence. I somehow knew that being with Him made me know I am safe, secure and loved.

In The Garden was written in 1912 by C. Austin Miles. It is based on a vivid dream he saw after reading John 20, and was then inspired to write this hymn about the first encounter between Mary Magdalene (Mary of Magdala) and her risen Lord.

According to Miles’ great-granddaughter, the song was written “in a cold, dreary and leaky basement in Pitman, New Jersey that didn’t even have a window in it let alone a view of a garden.”

I encourage you to listen to a wonderful video sharing the story and song of In The Garden here.

Below are the words. As you read them, I encourage you to get quiet and picture yourself meeting with Him in a place of peace, intimacy, and surrender. Speak to Him, and listen, expect Him to answer. He wants to reveal himself to you. Oh how He loves you and me.

  1. I come to the garden alone,
    While the dew is still on the roses,
    And the voice I hear falling on my ear
    The Son of God discloses.
    • Refrain:
      And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
      And He tells me I am His own;
      And the joy we share as we tarry there,
      None other has ever known.
  2. He speaks, and the sound of His voice
    Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
    And the melody that He gave to me
    Within my heart is ringing.
  3. I’d stay in the garden with Him,
    Though the night around me be falling,
    But He bids me go; through the voice of woe His voice to me is calling.

I have found that listening to instrumental music by Alberto Rivera helps me to quiet myself. I particularly enjoy the albums titled as prayer soundtracks. There are several others. You can find him on Amazon Music or Spotify, and probably other music streaming services, as well as on YouTube.

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