One of my great joys is walking in my garden "in the cool of the day." This is especially delightful in early summer, when plants are healthy and blooming with the promise of maturing fruit. However, as summer fades, plants begin to die as produce withers and rots on the vine. The delight of a walk in the garden turns into a mild case of despair.

The change in the garden of paradise was much more sudden for the Lord. The delight of his walks dissipated like a morning mist as he found his garden caretakers afraid and hiding from him. The most beautiful "plant" in his garden was showing the first and fatal signs of decay and death. The forecast for a healthy harvest became mixed and dreary. I cannot imagine that God did not experience a deep sadness over his deteriorating garden.

I know that the process of change and decay my garden goes through every year is normal. Still, I am always a little surprised and feel a sense of sadness when my garden takes that turn toward dying and death. My walk in the garden is spoiled, and I am disheartened.

I know that God could not have been surprised when Adam and Eve sinned. Thankfully, he still took his walk in the garden that day to find them—and he does the same for us.