The Gardener

Gardeners handle living things with living hands.

I find it interesting that so many of our ancestors had the vocation or hobby of gardener. John Magurn (1878-1956) was a gardener in his small village of Kilmacolm, Scotland. For decades he tended the gardens of Bellard (now called Cairns), the estate of the Weir family.

John Magurn with sons Peter and Philip (1930s)

John's father-in-law, Joseph Canham (1857-1939) worked as a bricklayer in his earlier days, but before the turn of the century he was employed as a gardener. Both the 1901 and 1911 census records show his occupation as 'gardener - domestic.' His granddaughter, Terry, recalls that he tended the gardens of a large home at the intersection of his own street- Greengate, and Woodgate Lane. It was just a short walk to work each day, then another walk further on to the church where he served as Sexton and tended to the graveyard.

On the Forman side, Annie Elizabeth Baragwanath Forman (1890-1968) loved her garden. A large section of their side yard property was transformed into gardens. She was serious about her hobby, joining the America Horticulture Society and the International Camellia Society. She was famous for her cultivation of Holly trees. In the photo she is holding a Magnolia Grandiflora (southern magnolia) which she was able to grow back in New Jersey.

Annie E. Baragwanath Forman - Florida 1948

At this Easter time, we can consider another gardener - our Savior, Jesus Christ, depicted in this painting by Rembrandt. 

(From the LDS Living Easter week 2019 series by Emily Belle Freeman and David Butler.)

He comes to us in the middle of our story and He comes as what we need. Think about this for a moment:

• For Moses He came as a pillar of fire.
• For Joshua, He came as the Captain of the Hosts.
• For Peter, He came as a lifeguard.
• For His mother, He came as a maker of wine.
• and for Mary, He came as a gardener.

Have you ever wondered why He came for Mary as a gardener?Think about what a gardener does - A gardener watches over and tends and cares for plants and brings about their growth. He does what he knows best. That is exactly what He's going to do for Mary and all the disciples - what He has been doing and will continue to do.
I love that she mistakes him for the gardener because He will be a person who will watch over her with that kind of tender care. He will tend to her now just the way He did for her before.

To watch the Day 4 video: He Meets Us Where We Are

Gardeners handle living things with living hands.