Dandelion Tea in a Weedy World: Learning to See God's Love with Mirror Poems and Ink

By Janet K. Gardner

Where is God? How is the Bible reflected in my life? To help answer these questions, Dandelion Tea in a Weedy World uses mirror poetry, a new kind of writing in which biblical scripture is mirrored with life’s adventures to lead us into a deeper awareness of God’s ever-present love. Combined with seventy-six calming ink washes, reflection questions for individual devotion, and motivating group discussions, plus guidance for writing your own faith-inspiring mirror poems, this collection helps guide people of all ages into a deeper, more personal relationship with the Bible and God’s endless love.

Praise for Dandelion Tea in a Weedy World

“In Janet K. Gardner’s personal and prayerful meditations on the biblical texts, I found connections to forms and ancient storytelling and spiritual art. Her ink drawings are enthusiastic and spontaneous. She has created these accessible images to reflect on and to encourage the reader to reconsider and to reimagine on another level.”
—John August Swanson, internationally acclaimed Christian artist

“Dandelion Tea in a Weedy World leads the reader to creatively and deeply reflect on the wonder of God’s love and grace, and the opportunity and challenge to walk in faith.”
—Reverend Dr. Paul Gravrock

“Dandelion Tea in a Weedy World is a wonderfully creative, well-written expression of Janet’s strong faith in a loving God.”
—Jean Gravrock, retired educator

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Aug 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781664273306

Janet K. Gardner

Janet K. Gardner is a graduate of California Lutheran University and has worked as a computer graphics artist for media production and publishing companies. She has created inspiring art, poems, and devotions for her church and for readers of The Lutheran Message and CLU’s Morning Glory. Over the years, working from her home in Southern California, she has also published a Bible trivia game and a children’s talent show presented as a Christmas program.

Book preview

Copyright © 2022 Janet K. Gardner.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

844-714-3454

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Janet’s JG Anchor-Cross signature mark and Janet Gardner Inspirations are trademarks

of Janet K. Gardner.

For poetic emphasis and Mirror Poem structure, capitalization, italics, line breaks,

and centering have been added as needed to scripture quotations.

For poetic clarity, proper names have been inserted for their corresponding pronouns. Quotations

without translation references are paraphrased from the original Scripture.

Some illustrations parody works by other artists:

Blooming in Love is a parody of The Scream (1893) by Edvard Munch,

Embracing the Son is a parody of The Creation of Adam (1512) by Michelangelo.

Readers may follow or message Janet K. Gardner on

Facebook @JanetGardnerInspirations.

Framed images and printed gifts of Janet’s artwork are available from

www.FineArtAmerica.com as Janet K. Gardner Inspirational.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-7329-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-7330-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022913468

WestBow Press rev. date: 08/12/2022

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973

1978 1984 2011 by Biblica, Inc. TM. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked (NRSV) are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible,

copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of

Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright

©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers,

a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977,

1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org

Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today’s English

Version- Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.

The Holy Bible, Berean Study Bible, BSB Copyright ©2016, 2018 by Bible Hub

Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Scripture taken from the American Standard Version of the Bible.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture taken from the World English Bible.

JKGardner-SignatureMark-TM-gs.jpg

Contents

Introduction: Reflections on Mirror Poetry

Reflections on the Illustrations

Mirror Prayer for Illumination

Part 1: Seeing God in a Weedy World

God Is Nowhere

Repenting

Groaning

Smothering Fires

Drawing Water

Blooming in Love

Embracing

Ever Shining

Running

Fluttering

Soaring

Climbing Mountains

Ever Trusting

Following the Shepherd

Part 2: Seeing God in His Loving Son

Wielding the Word

Fishing

Prodigal Repenting

Branching Out

Raging

Rejoicing

Weeping

Praying

Crying Out

Prophesying

Gardening

Doubting

Writing Love Letters

Part 3: Seeing God by Helping Others

Reflecting His Love

Returning to Eden

Quietly Giving

Straightening Paths

Serving

Living His Love

Mirroring the Benediction

The Mirrors Revealed: The Names of Jesus

A Quiet Calming: Thoughts for Personal Reflection and Discussion

How to Write Mirror Poems

Index of Bible Verses

Reflective Notes

List of Illustrations

Dandelion Tea, 2019, 7¼ x 8½ inches, ink wash over pencil sketch

Giving Praise, 2019. 6¼ x 8¾ inches, sumi-e style ink wash with India ink

Cooking Tea, 2019, 6¼ x 8¼ inches, sumi-e style ink wash

Ascension with the Shepherd, 2019, 6 x 8 inches, sumi-e style ink wash with India ink

Mountain Crosses, 2019, 6¼ x 7¾ inches, ink wash

Traveling with the Shepherd, 2019, 6¾ x 8½ inches, sumi-e style ink wash with India ink

Reading along the Way, 2019, 6¾ x 8 inches, ink wash

Mirroring Yosemite, 2019, 6¼ x 8 inches, sumi-e style ink wash with India ink

Sunrise, 2019, 6½ x 8½ inches, sumi-e style ink wash

Dandelion Songs, 2019, 7¼ x 9¾ inches, ink wash over pencil sketch

God Is Now Here, 2018, 6¾ x 9¾ inches, ink wash over pencil sketch

Lost Sheep, 2018, 7 x 10 inches, ink wash over pencil sketch

Groaning Together, 2019, 6¼ x 8½ inches, sumi-e style ink wash

Smothering Fires A, 2018, 7 x 9¾ inches, ink wash over pencil sketch

Drawing Water, 2018, 6¾ x 9¾ inches, ink wash over pencil sketch

Blooming in Love, 2018, 7 x 9¾ inches, ink wash over pencil sketch

Embracing the Last Adam, 2018, 7 x 9¾ inches, ink wash over pencil sketch

Ever Shining over the Chaos, 2019, 7¼ x 9½ inches, ink wash

Running with Love, 2018, 7