I probably don’t garden like most of you do this time of year. First, I live at 8,500 feet above sea level in the middle of the Rocky Mountains, and just last week (June 9), we received four inches of snow. Second, it’s very dry here, and watering a garden every day is not an option unless I want to run our well dry. Third, we have deer. Lots and lots of deer, and they love almost anything that grows in this soil.

I decided several years ago to grow plants that the deer will leave alone and that can survive in this climate. I’ve planted several different grasses, a variety of ground covers, irises, lavender, and marigolds. I am rewarded with green plants and splashes of color.

I do miss all the flowers I was able to enjoy in my garden in North Dakota, but I don’t want to fight the deer. I have seen flowers and flowering shrubs surrounded by tall fences to keep the deer at bay, but the flowers lose their appeal if you can’t get close enough to enjoy their scents. I prefer to work in harmony with these deer.

I wondered what God had to say about harmony so I looked it up.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all (Romans 12:15-17).

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 15:5-6).

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony (Colossians 3:14).

No, I do not believe God was referring to harmony between animals and people in these passages. I do believe that the pleasure I receive from my garden would be diminished if I was constantly upset over a deer’s dinner. So I prefer harmony with nature.

I pray for harmony amidst this tragedy of racial injustice. I pray we look to Jesus and follow His examples of love and grace. I pray, and sometimes my emotions can’t be expressed in words so the Holy Spirit intervenes for me. I pray for harmony. Please pray with me!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,
Debbie