For This House
Every Season. Every Space. All for Him.
Every Season. Every Space. All for Him.
When gardening, it’s best to start with the soil. After all, it is the foundation of every garden. Sure, it’s tempting to get swept up into flowering plants, beautiful seed packets, and charming decor down at the local garden center. However, indulging in these impulse purchases before you have a proper place to put them, is the proverbial “cart before the horse” situation.
So how should we remedy the situation? As with everything in life, we can turn to the Bible.
Jesus proclaims in Luke 12:27, “Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” We are basically being commanded… do not worry.
The gardener in me notices that the “lilies“ in that field had been placed exactly where they would thrive. The pH of the soil was conducive, the sun and rain ratio had been perfectly provided by God—the Master Gardener. The lilies don’t worry because every foundation has been provided for them.
Jesus reminds us of foundations in Matthew 7:24-27. “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his house upon the rock.”
So how do we discern the gray area between “not worrying” like the lilies and “working hard” to build a firm foundation?
I’ve been working in the same soil for about 25 years. When we first began working in our yard, it was all about structure. We worked nights and weekends with nothing more than sweat equity, elbow grease, and cheap grass seed. It wasn’t much…but it was ours.
As time wore on, we invested in some key items like shrubs, trellises, fences and pathways. Over the years, plants were purchased & garden decor was bought. As the trees and shrubs grew, the garden filled in and the flowerbeds groaned with surplus vegetation. Plants were subsequently ripped out where mistakes had been made, shrubs matured and needed heavy pruning, huge tree limbs fell down in windstorms, and weeds were always my arch nemesis.
One thing that remained constant, was to feed the soil. That meant bringing in loads of rich compost each year to top the soil. Quality compost nourishes the Mycorrhizal network & keeps the soil covered.
Why is this important? Soil loses moisture when it isn’t covered, causing plants to dry out in the heat. Also, covering the soil doesn’t allow evil weed seeds to take hold and grow.
It would be easy to get uptight, wondering if the tulips I planted in November will bloom in April. Or if the dahlia tubers placed in winter storage will rot. I could worry about another large branch falling down in a northeaster, fret about the weeds getting away from me.
Or, instead, I could prepare and invest in the soil and look for tree limbs that need spring pruning. I could snap up any obvious weeds and work preventatively to ward off as many of the struggles as I can. The whole time I would hold my hands open to heaven & be confident that the Lord is working behind the scenes on my behalf.
Both our physical and spiritual lives can be enriched by the lessons learned in gardening. Here are just a few examples that I have picked up over the years:
Planning ahead by planting tulip bulbs in the fall when it feels like I should be closing down for the season brings me loads of precious, colorful blooms in early spring (just when I am starved for new life and the reminder that winter doesn’t last forever).
I am always thankful I had enough faith to plant the bulbs in November to be able to share the blooms with family, friends, and even have extras to sell at my flower stand.
Planting dahlia tubers in spring affords me beautiful flowers all summer and fall. Digging, dividing and storing the tubers means I can multiply my supply to give away, trade or sell.
In that same spiritual vein, investing in my daily walk with the Lord, planting Bible verses in my memory and taking time in prayer helps me to be a better wife, mother and friend.
By doing these foundational acts of obedience, I’m multiplying the person that God created me to be through His strength, not my own.
I could go on and on for pages, talking about all the lessons I’ve learned from gardening. But I will leave you with this final thought:
Although it is good to be content in all circumstances (Philippians 4:11-13) keeping our palms open to the sky, trusting he will provide for us (like the wild lilies in Luke 12:22-34). It is also good to work and plan responsibly (Proverbs 21:5). What we shouldn’t do is worry (1 Peter 5:7). If you have built your foundation according to His word, and you’ve kept your palms open to the sky, he will bless you and take care of the rest.
If you build a good foundation with healthy soil in which to plant God’s word, you will flourish and bloom where he has planted you. After all, He planted the lilies. If he did it for them, He will surely do it for you.
Since you have been planted exactly where He needs you, your desire should be to nourish your soul with nutrients, rain, and sunshine, all which can be found in is His loving gift for you… The Bible.
If you haven’t yet accepted His invitation to grow and bloom in His garden of souls, simply pray this prayer today:
Jesus,
I want my foundation to be rooted in You. Please bring me the nourishment of Your word. Rain down on me the relief of Your living waters. Bring the sunshine of church family, to help encourage me as I grow.
Even though I may need pruning from time to time… I accept Your free gift of eternal salvation through Your death on the cross. Please forgive my weedy sins of the past and take me into Your loving arms of grace.
I want to grow more like You every day and bloom where You have planted me.
Amen.
Trisha is passionate about well-made food and home care products. She tends to her food and flower gardens with tender loving care just as she did raising her two boys in small town Washington. Learn more about her at @trisha_tendingtohome.