Song from a Garden

Celebrating a year of my yes to God this June. In lieu of my perennially long sharings, I will just post the conclusion of my two-day personal retreat at the Cenacle.

I was inspired to write a song with simple words and a simple melody. You’ll hear it one day IF I learn to play the guitar, or overcome my shyness/fear of playing music:

Song from a Garden
(a.k.a. Ella Went to the Garden… The Cenacle Garden)
By Ella del Rosario (you may forward this if you wish, but please let me know in advance, thanks!)

As I sit in the garden and drink in this land,
Left my pen and my notebook, not even Bible at hand.
In my room is my cellphone with my trusty iPod,
So I sing at the garden, fully alone with my true God.

Yes, Lord Jesus, I see You in this place,
I sing to you, my Jesus, as if I see You face to face.
More than Master, Comforter, Warrior and Friend,
Jesus You’re my Brother, my Savior and my King.

As birds drink from the fountain that trickles nearby,
I see how, if you plant flowers, soon will come a butterfly.
I talk to a tree to say, “Today was fine,”
It replies just by standing that though old, its life is Thine.

Jesus my Companion in this journey You’ve taken me,
You’re my strength, my deliverance, in Your arms my tears are free.
I’ve almost given Your place, the seat of my heart
To other loves, even missions, that have taken me apart.

As I watch in this Garden creation carrying about,
Your breeze plays with my hair and this song flows from my mouth.
A white rabbit nibbles the green grass, with its pink eyes looking at me.
I notice yellow little flowers, facing the sun, for they all see-

That You, my Jesus, are our light and our shield;
When we cast our pains upon You, to Your love we must yield.
In the silence we can hear You, and our hurts disappear;
If we but stay this close to You, You’d conquer all our fears.

As I dance in Your Garden and I stare at the leaves,
The birds chirping, branches swaying strum a few chords into my ears.
Your gifts never run out, your provision is true,
I soak, I take my fill, through Your Creation I am renewed.

My God, you have called me, but I didn’t give my all,
I will listen and will wait now, will stop building my walls.
I want to hear You, Lord, my Savior, every moment of my life,
Not just when you hold my hand like this, as I retreat into my heart.

Yes, Lord Jesus, I see You in this place,
I sing to you, my Jesus, as if I see You face to face.
More than Master, Comforter, Warrior and Friend,
Jesus You’re my Brother, my Savior and my King.

Coda:

I want to love you every day,
Be in Your Garden filled with grace,
To hold Your hand all my days,
And so behold You face to face.


I was amused to realize that iPod rhymes with God! Although the former could never be a substitute for the latter (as nothing ever could), it got me started writing.