Frances H. Bernett wrote the endearing and enduring story The Secret Garden in 1911. In it a young orphan girl is sent from India to the home of her uncle in England for him to accept custody. He is the child’s only known relative, as her parents had both died of cholera. Mary Lennox, the ten year old girl, discovers in her uncle’s house a boy,Colin, her cousin, who is bedridden and believed to be a hopeless cripple by his father and the staff at his home.

Mary has discovered a secret walled and locked garden that had been abandoned on the grounds, and with the help of a local boy, Dickon, who befriends animals, and Ben, the gardener, Mary finds the key to the garden, and begins to work to return it to its original beauty. She shares this information with Colin, and they arrange for him to visit the garden. This puts into play the transformation of both spoiled children and the garden itself, as Colin joins Mary and Ben and Dickon in their project. They have many adventures before Colin’s father returns from his many absences, ,and instead of a bedridden boy, he finds his son running to meet him. The book was originally published as a children’s book, but has gained popularity with all ages.

Jesus said, “When you pray, go into your secret place, close the door and pray to your father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:6) Secrecy in our relationship with our Father God is essential to the one-on-one relationship that God seeks with us. In the novel, the abandoned garden was nevertheless forbidden, and so secrecy was necessary. Jesus’ words to go alone to the secret place are meant for us to open ourselves to the One who is able to respond to us in truth.

Jesus also said, “Where two or three gather in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20) In all his teachings Jesus led his listeners to his Father. He spoke words that would lay a path at the feet of his followers. To find a place to be alone and pray, and to pray with fellow believers, are priceless positions for Christians.

Secrecy was necessary to the children, but the fellowship of each other was also essential. None of them could have completed the garden alone, and Colin would not have been able to walk without the others.

Jesus made sure that we understood our need to be alone and undisturbed for prayer; and he knew the strength and power of communal prayer, for he promised, “I am in the midst of them!

Love in Him,

Prue