Between Two Gardens

A few weeks ago, our San Diego family went up to Livermore to see the rest of the crew.

Well actually, for the boys, it was more about a round of golf and the Cubs vs Giants game. By the way, our Cubs won!

Our daughter-in-law purchased a round cattle trough a few years back that works as a swimming pool for the kids on those hot summer days. On Friday afternoon, all three of our grandsons were cooling off in the makeshift pool, especially Emery, 2-½, and Zekiah, 1-½. The best part of the day was that their moms let them swim naked.

Once that activity got old, the little guys took off to play in the backyard. When they had to relieve themselves, they just went to the designated spot and giggled as they “watered” the dirt. They had so much fun, laughing and going back and forth between the pool and the “watering spot” completely unaware of their nakedness. Sitting there on the blanket in the warm, summer afternoon, I couldn’t help but wonder if that wasn’t a beautiful picture of God’s original plan.

After He had created man, God saw that there wasn’t a suitable helper for him, so He put him in a deep sleep, took out his rib and created woman. Let’s pick it up in verse 22 of Genesis:

“Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.’ That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.”

- Genesis 2:22-25

As we know, things changed drastically soon after that. As soon as Adam and Eve ate the apple, verse 7 of Chapter 3 says:

“Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.”

- Genesis 3:7

It’s often said, we’re living between two gardens - Genesis 1 and Revelation 22, when Eden will be restored. Life is messy in the inbetween. When Ken and I officiate weddings, I often talk about the way we begin to emotionally, and often physically, “cover ourselves” when we feel ashamed, angry, or disappointed in one another. The relationship starts to break down because we’re no longer “naked” in front of one another. The intimacy has left.

But it’s not just marriages. It happens in families, extended families and friendships as well. God created us for relationships. Every close relationship I have has included authenticity, accountability, and at times, asking forgiveness when I’ve hurt or disappointed my family or friends…

I long for Eden to be restored. I wish Emery and Zekiah wouldn’t have to grow up in a world that tells them to “cover up” and hide who they really are.

I’m going to do my best to teach them and to always do my best to live a life that is unashamed.

Pastor Pam

‍