I married a gardener. A lady that likes to dig and plant. Someone who understands seasons, watering and waiting, imagining how things will look growing together within the frame of nature’s canvas. She delights in simple things like sprouting and blooming and seems to know the gentle power of working within God’s design.
I am better because I know a gardener, but I didn’t think so at first.
Growing up, I perceived gardening to be a joyless intrusion into whatever else I wanted to do. We had a vegetable garden that never seemed to love us back. A large yard with a very small mower. Shrubs and hedges that begged to be put out of their misery and mounds of leaves that no one took time to jump in. Gardening was another chore on a day when I wanted to ride my motorcycle, hang with friends, or fish with my brother. I wish I had not harbored that perception so late in life.
Fast forward to a property my gardener and I purchased in the winter of 2017. An acre of land that the previous owner had turned into one big flower garden with no lawn. What delight we had as we watched the vibrant play unfold in arrays of color planted before we came. I was amazed as my gardener kept showing me the latest plant or bud and that she knew the names of things I can’t remember seeing before. Our Father in heaven invited us to name our property “restoration” and, for me, it was a beautiful time of slowing down, learning that my Father thought up different seasons, learning how to sync physical labor with natural patterns, and l seeing with new eyes. It restored my soul. And I grew closer to my beloveds because of it. God Himself had waited a long time for my soul to enjoy siting and walking with Him in the “cool of the evening” and I felt like I came to understand more of both my gardeners love for me.
Peter, on the day of Pentecost, challenged people to repent, be converted, so that their sins could be blotted out, and that times of refreshing might come from the presence of the Lord. Coming to times of refreshing as individuals or as a church follows the process of gardening. Break up the ground, plant seeds in the ground, wait for the seed to release life, and then enjoy refreshing new things.
At LFA, in this season, we are in the middle of this process. We are turning our face toward Him, repenting, being converted, becoming transparent and unafraid to admit our need and areas of failing, watching new life break forth, and waiting for a new season of refreshing to come. We want to catch and enjoy all there is for us each step of the pattern that God wove into nature and invites us to embrace. Let’s not rush ahead by being impatient and trying to force grow our plant. Times of refreshing will come in due season and others will see His blessing in and through us.
I’m glad I married a gardener and that we, together, follow and are loved by the master gardener who knows how to tend our heart-gardens until they are refreshed and display His beauty.
*Please be advised that this blog represents the views, opinions and beliefs of the writer and does not necessarily reflect those of our church leadership or denominational affiliation.