Tag: love

Amateur Gardener

As I choose seedlings for my summer planting, I am reminded once again of how much of an amateur gardener I am.

Staring at the rows of healthy little green plants, I am amazed at the different fruits and vegetables, the variety of options, the abundance of choices. And this is just one garden center. There are thousands of these centers and millions of these plants.

Serious gardeners, professionals, grew all these seedlings from which I get to choose a few for my garden. Rows of squash varieties, cucumbers and eggplants, shelf after shelf of pepper choices, hundreds of herbs and spice plants, an entire area devoted to tomatoes. Scientists and researchers created hybrid varieties of every plant to maximize various desired attributes such as size, color, germination, heat resistance, taste, seed content, spice level, and the timing of fruit production. The people who developed and grew these plants were serious gardeners.

But as amateur as I may be, I am still a gardener.

Some gardeners strive to keep their harvest organic, grow the largest tomato, or cultivate the pretty heirloom ones. Some gardeners research techniques that replenish the soil or reflect ancient traditions. Some gardeners want their yards on the tours and spend hours making them pristine. Some have agricultural degrees and teach Master Gardening classes. I just want home-grown produce.

As simple as my goals are, I am still a gardener.

If you have one tomato plant in a pot on your balcony, or one flower you have kept alive, you too are a gardener.

Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgement, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24.

I am so tempted to compare myself to others; are you as well? There are some much better gardeners out there, and some much “better” Christians. You know the ones – they go about singing praise music all the time and only read uplifting books. They never get angry with their kids or over-imbibe. They spend hours feeding the hungry, visiting prisons, and caring for the poor. They remind me of what an amateur Christian I am.

But as amateur as I may be, I am still a Christian. I believe and I am a witness to God’s amazing love.

And if you have heard His word and truly believe in Him, then you too are a Christian.

But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13.

If you have planted a seed, if you have a tomato plant on your balcony, if you have believed enough to act, then you too are on the path to witnessing to God’s love for the world.

But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. James 1:18.

Because just looking at the rows of plants at the garden center does not make me a gardener. Taking one home and planting it in my yard does. But that is all it takes. I do not have to be a Master Gardener, which requires education, experience, and community service.

I do not have to a minister or a missionary, but I do need to act on my belief in God.

I give you a new commandment that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35.

I may be an amateur, but I can love my neighbor. I can love the person in need. I can respond in love when someone breaks line or insults me. I can love those with whom I disagree.

God’s love, planted and growing inside me, gives me the power to share this love, His love, with others. Let’s not leave the gardening up to the professionals. Join me and we can spread His love over all the earth.

Betsy

Let it Rain.

God is watering my garden today.

A gentle rain soaks all the seeds in the ground, refills the hidden aquifers deep in the soil, encourages all the trees and bushes and flowers and grasses to grow, as well as the plants in my garden.

What an amazing gift God gives us and the earth for the sustaining of life.

We take rain so for granted; sometimes we even complain about it. Sometimes this life-giving rain can take lives as well, but we know without it there would be no life.

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45.

God wants us all to live, my sugar snaps and the crabgrass that grows beside them. He sends sun and rain on them both.

He calls for us to be just as generous with our affections, to not reserve our prayers only for those with whom we agree, our friends, and our families. God loves all people and sends life-giving water to sustain us all.

I love the rain, probably because I love water. Living in a flood plain, I am aware of the problems rain can cause, and yet… these creeks which can overflow attract wildlife and create beauty. Large trees, homes for birds and raccoons and squirrels, reach through the soil to find the flowing creek beds. Frogs and minnows dart in the shallows. The gentle gurgle and lapping meet me as I leave my home.

All because God is watering my garden today. All because He loves us enough to create a world in which water falls from the sky.

In past generations he allowed all the nations to follow their own ways; yet he has not left himself without a witness in doing good – giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons and filling you with food and your hearts with joy. Acts 14:16-17.

Without water, my garden couldn’t survive. I have gone out the last few days and watered the sugar snaps, the garlic, the fig and raspberry shoots. How wonderful that God is watering them today, as well as watering the rest of my yard as well. What a joy to see everything turning green, filled with a desire to grow, to flower, to bear fruit.

Could this rain refresh me, encourage me to grow and flower?

I drink a lot of water, have ever since I was a child. It sustains me, it may keep my healthy, but it only provides for my corporal needs.

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14.

Better than a gentle soaking rain. Better than a flowing creek. A source of life unlike any other found on earth. A source of purposeful, meaningful, joy-filled, eternal life. Springing up in me.

We join with the Samaritan woman in asking “Where do you get this water?” (John 4:11)

On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:37-38.

God is watering my garden today; His word is watering my thoughts; His Spirit is watering my soul, creating life in me.

Let it rain!

Betsy

Freeze Warning

It was cold last week. It had been cold for a few days, and then the forecaster sent out the alarm. Freeze warning! The newscasters excitedly warn us, “Cover your plants!” In case I haven’t been paying attention, my sister called to make sure I knew. Several friends mention the freeze warning and ask if I’m worried.

Sweet peas, sugar snaps, snow peas; they do well in cool weather. It’s hot weather they don’t like. That’s why gardeners plant them in February and March. Same with most lettuces, although I don’t grow these anymore. I am pretty sure my growing plants can withstand the temperatures dropping below 32; pretty sure.

So I heed the warnings and cover the plants. Even though the forecasters often get it wrong. Even though the sweet peas should withstand the cold.

Covering the plants carries its own risks and takes effort. I use a “floating” cover, of which I have a limited supply, because it allows for more airflow than old sheets, of which I have plenty. It’s also lighter, so less likely to damage the plants, but more likely to blow away if not secured. If I use it all now, I won’t have any left for the tomatoes and cucumbers should we get a frost in May. I will have to get more or resort to sheets. If we get a frost in May.

It’s difficult to know just what the best course of action is.

We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine. Ephesians 4:14

I have had gardens for over 30 years, and I still don’t know if I am being fearful or prudent.

Fear seems to be the currency of the day. The news seems to peddle it as arduously as any snake oil salesman. The sky is falling!! Russia, China, the economy, school shootings, domestic terrorists, foreign terrorists, plagues, cyber and biological warfare; sometimes I wonder if I should leave the house!

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginnings of the birth-pangs. Matthew 24:6-8

So I will not be alarmed, but I will be prudent; I will take precautions; I will cover my plants.

Because plants are living things, and God has entrusted their care to us. These particular plants are my responsibility. I want to be a good steward; I want these plants in my care to thrive.

Even if I think they may be fine without my help, why take that chance? Why not make their lives a little easier for the next few days? Why not give them the equivalent of a blanket or a hug?

A few weeks ago week, a friend of mine had a medical scare. Another friend was right there with her, following her home, calling the ambulance, making sure she was okay, and bringing her home. Perhaps she would have been fine without help; perhaps she could have gotten herself to the hospital and home, but I am so glad that our friend was there to help her through the scary forecast.

And aren’t we all called to do that for each other?

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35

Yes, it took some effort to cover my sweet peas for the next few days. Yes, I will need to replenish my supply of cover cloth. But I am not panicked about the potential of freezing temperatures. I trust I am listening to the warnings and acting with my plants’ best interest in mind.

I hope I can be that caring for all of God’s creation, even, perhaps, you. Do you need a blanket? Or a hug? Do you know someone who does?

Betsy