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Prayer garden offers opportunity for eternal legacy
To the editor:
When your footsteps become silent and your time on this earth is done, what will be the legacy you have left for years to come?
The University of Arkansas has a tradition that when you graduate your name gets etched in one of the many sidewalks that run through campus. Everyone can walk by and read the names of the thousands of people that have left a legacy at the U of A.
Both of my sisters have their names etched there. Now, both of my children attend college there, and one day I will be very proud to have their names added to those sidewalks for everyone to see.
I believe as a Christian, though, there is a place much more important to have your name etched. And that is in the Book of Life. I also believe on the day of reckoning that we will all stand before God and give an account of what we have done on this earth. As a Christian, my purpose here on this earth is to help bring others closer to Christ, so they might find eternal Salvation. I want to leave a legacy that matters. If you believe that too, I would like to offer you an opportunity to become involved in the Blytheville Prayer Garden. If you are not familiar with the Blytheville Prayer Garden, let me share some information with you.
The Blytheville Prayer Garden is a place where the citizens of Blytheville can come to worship, seek, pray and draw closer to Christ. In a world where so many people that are struggling right now, a place like this is needed. Many who have lost their faith, don't have a church home or maybe have given up on conventional churches can find comfort and solace in this garden. It is also a place where weddings and church services and revivals can take place.
There are seven smaller gardens that encompass the perimeter of the large prayer garden, in a somewhat circular fashion, each with their own theme. They are the Garden of Peace, the Garden of Strength, the Garden of Hope, the Garden of Trials, the Garden of Submission, the Garden of Forgiveness and the Garden of Love. All of these smaller gardens then lead you to the large central garden, the Garden of Praise. Each of the smaller gardens will contain boulders with scriptures emblazoned on them particular to that garden. For instance, in the Garden of Forgiveness, a boulder will read: Psalm 103:12 "He has removed our sins as far from us as the East is from the West." Someone who has never been to church or believes they are too "dirty" to now attend can come to know that our Heavenly Father loves them so much he sent his Son to die so that our sins can be forgiven. All of our sins. All our dirty stuff gets washed clean, and then forgotten. We only have to ask. How amazing is that? Then, as you turn to leave that garden, you will face the Garden of Praise. How appropriate! This garden contains a large granite cross, a marble communion table and stone benches with stained glass pillars surrounding the back of it to make an outdoor chapel. This will be a place where anyone can come and sit and meditate, pray and find forgiveness and peace; the kind of peace that only God can provide.
During the month of May we are launching a fundraising campaign for the Garden. It is our "Scattering Seeds" campaign. God asks for us to use our time, talents and treasures to promote His Kingdom here on this earth. I hope that like me, you wish to be a part of this project and will share your treasure. I hope you choose to leave behind a legacy that matters for eternity. So that one day, when you get to Heaven, you will be able to see the lives you have affected by being a part of this. Your name won't just be etched in concrete somewhere, your name will be etched in Eternity.
You can go to the website www.blythevilleprayergarden.com and make a donation there either by credit card or paypal, or you can mail or drop off a check to First Christian Church, Blytheville Prayer Garden at 600 W. Main, Blytheville, AR 72315.