in full sun

I am not a gardener. If I can get one of my sons to mow the lawn, and if I remember to get the sprinklers turned on (yes, there is a timer, but that would be way too easy) then I consider it a success. However, in the past three days I have done more gardening than in the past three years.

On Monday night for our family time I led the troops as we planted a couple dozen flowers that a friend gave us in the front flower beds. Tuesday I went to this same friend's house where we rototilled the hard ground, threw in some peat moss and then planted twenty or so vegetables.

Hot sun.

Brown arms.

Tonight I got smarter and waited until the cool evening to go out and plant the cucumber, pepper, tomato, pumpkin, and watermelon plants that this same friend gave me as a thank you for my help.

I am grateful. I am grateful for the chance to put something in the dirt and pray that it grows. I am grateful to have a shot at the nurturing thing. I do okay with people, but plants are much harder for me. Weird, huh?

Faith. Hope that all of my best efforts will somehow pay me back. My new job in the Fall. Going back to school. My growing children, two of whom are adults. My attempts at buoying up my husband when his hands hang down with exhaustion. My little cub scouts.

It is all planting and crossing our spiritual fingers that things work. The worry and wondering are mud. The doubt, weeds. But I don't want to wear those frilly gloves that don't let me feel the soil. I want to dig deep and get messy. I want to harvest.

15 comments

April | June 24, 2009 at 11:45 PM

I always love your analogies! You rock...but hopefully find none in your garden! :)

charrette | June 25, 2009 at 1:49 AM

I had a lot of similar thoughts as I was out weeding and planting. I agree -- great metaphor for the faith that there will be a rich harvest from all of life's efforts.

Heather | June 25, 2009 at 4:38 AM

Great metaphor. Anytime I am gardening, I feel a connection with the earth, it gives you time to think and put things in perspective in a different way than working indoors does.

Connie | June 25, 2009 at 7:32 AM

It's a great feeliing to have the rich earth in your hands as you plant the seeds that promise a great harvest if taken care of.
Great analogy.
Don't forget your sunscreen!

Melanie Jacobson | June 25, 2009 at 9:56 AM

I hated working in the garden as a kid and my dad had a HUGE one every year. It is only just recently that I've discovered what he loved about it. There's definitely a sense of renewal in growing things.

Linde | June 25, 2009 at 10:10 AM

Good luck with the growing thing. Some thing grow for me and other plants don't. Not sure why. :)

Glad you are enjoying the summer.

Unknown | June 25, 2009 at 11:06 AM

Remember to nourish with water. H2O the best.

xoxo

Kimberly Vanderhorst | June 25, 2009 at 12:37 PM

Oh how beautiful! I suddenly wish I had a garden to weed. Guess I'll have to work on the metaphorical one.

Heather of the EO | June 25, 2009 at 4:26 PM

I so love these thoughts. Beautiful stuff. So much truth and grace in this post. Thank you.

wendy | June 26, 2009 at 1:09 PM

I love the way you are able to word things------I have good thoughts in my head I think, but can't seem to get them to my mouth and on paper. Sorry I haven't been blogging much lately, I AM MOVING, and been very busy. I will have to blog more about that later.

Candy Eash | June 26, 2009 at 5:20 PM

What a fun post. Thanks again. I am so hopeful both spiritually and literally. :)

Barbaloot | June 27, 2009 at 12:19 AM

I hope that my literal ability as a gardner will not transfer over to my spiritual ability. Best of luck to you in both! :)

val of the south | June 27, 2009 at 1:50 AM

I love looking out the window and seeing my tomato plants growing - I feel a great sense of accomplishment, and I haven't even gotten any tomatoes yet! Just wait until I pick that first one - I'm sure it will be all I talk about!

I too love the analogy, though I'm thinking I might need some frilly gloves to get me through somedays!!

Dedee | June 27, 2009 at 11:19 AM

I'm so glad that I'm not the only one who isn't the worlds greatest gardener.

It is a great metaphor though. So much to do. So much to get our hands and hearts dirty. Here's hoping I don't give in either.

Mrs4444 | July 2, 2009 at 10:24 AM

I love this.