Wealthy

From my garden onto my table.

Yesterday I verbalized out loud that I am the richest I have ever been.  It wasn't an epiphany or even a revelation.  It is just something that I know.  I've even known it for awhile.  I just had never spoken it out loud.

I am rich and wealthy and it has nothing to do with money.  My heavenly father has provided a garden of marvelous food and beauty.  He has provided a home.  He has provided a husband who loves me!  He has provided stability.  He has provided.  I am rich and wealthy.

(Father God, thank you for the riches and wealth that you provide.  In the name of Jesus, I praise you.  Amen.)

Garden Lessons: Heat

August 2011.  Our part of the country is gripped in a massive heat wave.  It is oppressive.  The temperatures are in excess of 100 degrees early in the day and continue that way through the night.  It is tiresome.  The grass is dry and crispy so that our dog can hardly walk on it.  It is severe.  We eagerly look to the skies for some indication that there might be some rain.  It is relentless.  It hurts us.  It hurts our garden.

Our nation is in the grip of sin.  It is oppressive.  We proudly proclaim our homosexuality with parades and celebrations while God calls it an abomination.  It is tiresome.  Our government is borrowing money to pay it's debts but regulates the individual in an attempt to stop such a practice.  It is severe.  We dismiss life through abortion, euthanasia, alcohol, and drugs trying to find something to relieve the shame of our sin.  It is relentless.  It hurts us.  It hurts our garden.

(Righteous Father,  I beseech you in the name of Jesus, your only begotten Son, my Savior.   Forgive us for the grievous sin that offends you.  Turn our hearts, soften our hearts, cause us to be ashamed of the sin which our nation so proudly displays.  Let your people, called by your name, humble ourselves, pray, and turn from our sins so that you can heal our land.  Amen.)

Garden Lessons: Control

There are many things our garden has taught us this year.  From the early days of trying to start the plants to the times of putting them out to the small harvest gleaned, we've gained knowledge.  However, the one thing that stands out to me right now about our garden is control.

My awesome husband put a sprinkler system in so that the garden would always have water.  That has worked really well.  It "rains" on our garden every other day for about 30 minutes early in the morning.  Has that helped our plants produce?  Do we have an overflowing abundant crop of tomatoes?  Are the squash coming out our ears?  Are we leaving corn on everyone's porch?  Are we selling our peppers to the local restaurants?  I don't think so.

Our part of the country is gripped in a massive heat wave.  It is oppressive.  The temperatures are in excess of 100 degrees early in the day and continue that way through the night.  It is tiresome.  The grass is dry and crispy so that our dog can hardly walk on it.  It is severe.  We eagerly look to the skies for some indication that there might be some rain.  It is relentless.  It hurts us.  It hurts our garden.

So, even with the sprinkler system running regularly, the garden shows the stress of being in the drought and heat.  Grasshoppers have decimated the corn.  Squash bugs are on everything.  Potato bugs are on the eggplant.  There aren't any bugs on the hot pepper plants, nor are there many peppers.  Honeybees are rare visitors to our garden.

Ultimately, it has shown me that even when I think I can control things, I cannot.  I still HAVE to rely on God for the increase.  I can do my part to till the earth (prepare my heart), to plant the seed (read His Word), to water the plants (read His Word and pray), and to care for the plants (watch my tongue, etc) but the increase comes from Him.  I can be doing everything right but still not have a good harvest.

(Father God, I thank you for the harvest that has come.  It is an abundant bounty from you but may seem small in the eyes of the world.  Lord, it is more than we had and that makes it abundant.  I pray for relief from this gripping heat.  Thank you.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Gravel Road, Paved Road

My husband and I live in the city.  It's not a huge city and it's close to the country but it is still "in town."  We have a small garden spot about 12 miles from our house because our lot is too small to have a garden on it.  In order to get to the garden, we travel on paved roads and gravel roads.

Several days ago as we were happily traveling along, the gravel road shook us.  Now, our little Ford Escape has been a tremendous blessing and we appreciate the job that it does for us.  As we traveled down the gravel road, our Escape groaned and worked and squeaked and rattled and labored.  The noise filled our ears like the roar of much rushing water.  We gritted our teeth and finally reached our destination.

We quickly checked the squash plants for bugs.  Ugh.  We harvested a few tomatoes.  We observed the jalapeno peppers developing.  We lamented the lack of blooms on our okra.  We were surprised by the sunflower that had blossomed.  We dusted the corn in an effort to cut down on worms and fertilized everything for the first time this season.  We labored.  No, it was not intensive labor but we worked.  Then, it was time to head back home.

We gritted our teeth as the Escape groaned, worked, squeaked, rattled and labored back down the gravel road.  Again, the noise filled our ears nearly drowning out everything else.  Then one final section of rough gravel and we were on the pavement.  And the silence was deafening.  No more groaning, no more squeaking, no more rattle, there was just the quiet hum of the tires.

As we traveled I reflected on it all.  When our lives are on a gravel, bumpy, washed-out path, do we squeak and rattle and groan to God?  Then, when our lives are on the smooth path, are we silent?  Sadly, I could only answer the questions with, "Yes."  When trials and tests come our way, we spend many hours in prayer telling God what we want and asking Him to fix everything.  But when things are going the way we want, we don't take the time to talk with Him at all.

(Father God, please forgive me when I forget that you are the provider of the smooth path.  Help me to remember you in the good times and to thank you for them during them.  In the name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen.)

Garden Lessons: Light

I discussed some the things I've learned already in my previous "Garden Lessons" entry.

Continuing, I've learned that the new plant needs light very close to it.  When light is close to it, it doesn't try to stretch out seeking any light it can find.  You see, if the light is too far away, the plant becomes spindly and weak.  The stem has no strength to hold the new leaves as they develop.  What spiritual truth is there here?  A young Christian needs to be mentored by a strong Christian, one who is mature in faith.  And, the mentor needs to stay close to keep the young from stretching out and becoming weak.  Without the closeness of mentoring, the new Christian can reach out to any light source, even false light sources.  When the new Christian stretches too far, it results in a weakened faith that may eventually fail.  Like I said last time, a mentor is critical.

Another thing I've learned is that the light needs to be very close to the plant in order for the plant to foster a good root structure.  Without a good root structure, the stem and leaves loose their support.  If I keep the light just a few inches away from the top of the plant, it keeps the growth of the plant on track.  It gives the plant the time it needs to build the root system under the soil.  What spiritual truth lies here?  Yes, that's right, a new Christian has to develop a good basis of faith.  A good basis comes by hearing the Word of God.  Really, all it takes is sharing scripture with other Christians verbally.  Sometimes, it's as easy as reading scripture aloud.

True faith, true light, true growth, true anything is found only in a relationship with THE Creator, Sustainer, Judge, Truth - the great I AM.   I am so glad He is taking time to teach me through his creation even though the effects of sin are great upon it.  I'm excited to see what's next.

(Father God, thank you.  Thank you!  How incredible it is to examine the plants and how marvelous are the details and planning that went into them.  What great mercy that even after thousands of years, these sustaining plants continue to provide for me.  You are holy, holy, holy.  Praise and glory to You for ever.  In the name of Jesus I pray.  Amen.)

Garden Lessons: The Pot, the Soil, and the Depth

As I've been attempting to start some plants for our garden, I've sought the spiritual parallels of what I've learned from our adventure.  It's not been a great adventure yet.  There's a lot of failure going around right now. However, I believe I have some things to learn from this and that's its purpose.  So, there will be a series of blog entries on "Garden Lessons."

First, I've learned that the pot you start with should be the pot the plant stays in until you are ready to put it in the ground.  Moving the plant from a small pot to a larger pot is just too much of a shock.  What kind of spiritual parallel can I see?  A new Christian should be left in the church in the class in which she was saved.  God placed that person exactly where he needs to be.  If you are saved in a small church, stay there for awhile.  You'll see why soon enough.

Next, I've learned that the soil in the pot cannot be packed.  It has to be loose enough for the roots to develop.  Yet, it can't be so thin that there is nothing to grasp.   What kind of spiritual parallel can I see here?  The new Christian should not be overwhelmed with sources of learning such as reading, doctrine, study, analysis, commentaries, evangelism classes, works, etc. all at once.  Nor should she be left without any source of learning.  The new Christian should be established with a starting level Bible reading plan ,a book of sample prayers or simple devotionals, and a basic doctrine study; thus, making his source of learning just right.

I've also learned that the seed has to be planted at the right depth.  If the seed is not far enough in the soil, the plant doesn't have to work to get to the surface and the root is not deep enough to support future growth.  This little bit of effort on the part of the plant creates a stronger plant.  But, if the seed is too deep, it can rot or be choked off from ever reaching the surface.  The spiritual parallel here is similar to the previous one.  The new Christian has to do some reading, praying, and study on her own or there is no foundation for faith.  And, he must not become bogged down in endless questions and fairy tales that result in a faith that rots and dies.

Now, someone has to get the pot, add the soil, and plant the seed at the right depth.  What spiritual parallel can I see here?  A new Christian needs a mentor.  A mentor is critical.  I can't stress this enough, fellow Christians.  Don't lead a person to Christ then leave her stranded without any direction!  Don't lead a person to Christ then abandon him!  This baby Christian needs you.

(Father God, thank you for the lesson you are teaching through the plants you created.  I'm so excited to learn more about you in this process.  Help me to put each new nugget of truth into practice.  In the name of Jesus, my Savior, I pray.  Amen.)

It's Spring!

Yes!  I love when the weather starts warming.  It gives me new life and energy.  I am not motivated by the cold. Okay, maybe the cold motivates me to fill up on peanut caramel clusters and hibernate in a warm cave.  But, that's about it.

I've been trying to start garden plants indoors this year.  In some ways, I'm having great success but now I'm hitting a rough patch.  My tomatoes and peppers all sprouted and got their first set of true leaves.  I moved them to a bigger pot and now they are beginning to fail.  I so want this garden to succeed so that I can help my family cut down on the grocery bill this year.  I also want to be able to share with others the fresh bounty that God provides.

I've been reminded (AGAIN) that it's not about me.  So, I'm leaving my garden to God's direction.  He will provide the bounty and move me to do with it as He desires.  I trust Him.

(Father God, thank you for the reminder of all the times you've provided in the past and how that I can simply recall those times to know that you will provide today.  It's been a joy to see what you've done so far and I can't wait to see what comes next!  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)