Photo and Commentary ©2023 by Cheryl Boardman
Monday, September 18, 2023
I had the pleasure of going through the Bloedel Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver, BC, this past spring. It was filled with plants and birds, water features and people.
The whole top of the conservatory is a glass dome with pretty amazing views of the sky and taller plants. This dome lets in the light for the plants to grow. There is artificial lighting as well because Vancouver doesn’t always have sunny days!
The first book of the Bible talks about how we (humans) had a beautiful garden as our first home. Sadly, sin came into the world and Adam and Eve, due to believing a lie and disobeying God, were banished from the garden.
A lot of people love gardens and try to replicate a beautiful, peaceful place which brings a lot of joy to themselves and others. We can’t ever equal the beauty of what we lost, however.
There is a happy ending, though. The last chapter of the Bible talks about the restoration of Eden:
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever.”
Revelation 22:1-5 (NIV)