My husband has such an amazing gift of vision. He can see a piece of furniture or wood and see what it can become, where others lack the vision and throw it away. I have always wanted a prayer garden, a place where I can escape and block the world out, a place to go to for peace, comfort and quiet time.

The backyard was mostly dirt and some weeds, but Marshall saw the vision. The first step was planning the layout of the garden. He then cleared the weeds, laid out the walking path, and began to create an amazing Secret Garden. He did not just plant things randomly. He checked how big and tall the plant or tree would grow to be. He looked at the different colors of blooms so that different colors would be sprinkled throughout the garden. As he planted, he would feed the soil. He watered pretty regularly until he was sure the roots had begun to grow. There was a lot of tending the garden. He told me from the beginning, that it would take years to grow.

Patience is so important in turning a vision, a dream, or a goal into reality. I have learned so many lessons from Marshall on his approach to a vision. To turn a vision into reality it must start with a plan. What steps need to be taken to accomplish the vision? The planning will save you lots of time in the long run. The vision must be fed and tended until the roots take hold. And even then, it still needs to be tended for it to continue to grow. You will need to pull weeds, prune, fertilize and water. I have also learned that others help to tend the garden. Birds, bees, butterflies, squirrels, hummingbirds and yes, even possums. My Secret Garden is shared by many. The pictures were taken over the years as the Garden grew.

So I ask you. Can you see what is not there…YET? Do you have a vision, a goal or a dream? Drink three gallons of patience and go for it. Layout your goal and create your plan. Pull the weeds, (negativity,) and start planting. Tending your vision is not going to be easy but it will be so worth it. And before long, you will be enjoying YOUR Prayer Garden.