An Angel in the Garden

Our word for the year is encourage—and wouldn’t you know it, God keeps giving us pop-up reminders everywhere we turn.

Right outside our garage, no less.

Our community has shared garden beds—wood-sided spaces meant for flowers, vegetables, and herbs. Most of them shine through spring and summer, then quietly rest. But not Cherry’s. Oh no. Cherry decided that fall and winter deserved beauty too.

Every time we walk in from the garage, we’re greeted by her handiwork—blooms still standing tall, colors still speaking joy, life still saying, I’m not done yet. Cherry laughs about the squirrels who try to stage a takeover, but she’s one step ahead with her clever fencing. She tends her patch faithfully, and without realizing it, tends our hearts too.

Her name fits her perfectly—Cherry. Sweet. Bright. Full of goodwill.

One day I spotted a Willow Tree figurine titled “Angel of the Garden.” I smiled. That’s her. So we bought it—not because she asked, not because she needed it—but because encouragement loves to be given legs. When we handed it to her, her face lit up. Photos were taken. Joy was shared. And just like that, encouragement made a full circle—given and received.

Scripture tells us, “Encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Sometimes that encouragement looks like words. Sometimes it looks like a visit. And sometimes…it looks like winter flowers that refuse to quit.

Cherry didn’t plant those blooms for applause. She planted them because beauty matters. And that’s the quiet miracle—encouragement doesn’t demand a stage. It just shows up.

Maybe encouragement isn’t meant to be a once-a-year resolution. Maybe it’s a way of seeing. A way of noticing. A way of saying, “Your care matters.”

So today, keep your eyes open. There may be an angel in your garden too.

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24)

And just like that—God’s word lights up again. 🌸