“Take Me Back to the Garden” began on our honeymoon in Italy, of all places! We were visiting a city that was absolutely packed with tourists. Between the crowds, long lines, and rushing from one place to another, we'd had enough. We decided to escape to a garden, which probably wasn't our brightest idea considering it was the dead of winter. There wasn't much growing, but we found a warm, humid greenhouse and happily sat there enjoying the peace and quiet.
When we finally ventured back into the crowded streets, I started whining, “Take me back to the garden!” Before long, I was singing the words, and a song began forming in my head.
Then my thoughts went somewhere completely unexpected. I started thinking about the gardens in the Bible—the Garden of Eden, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the garden where Jesus was buried. Each was the setting for moments that changed history. I began wondering what it would have been like to stand in those gardens. Would I have made different choices?
What started as a little honeymoon frustration turned into a song about faith, obedience, and the desire to walk closer with God. Funny how a crowded street in Italy led me all the way back to the Garden of Eden!