A tale of two gardens – Part 2: In my garden

In part 1, I wrote about the preciousness of meeting with Jesus. In this post I want to share what Holy Spirit has been speaking to me recently, as I was working in my yard, which is partially a garden.

It has been an unusually warm summer season in West Michigan this year. I found myself delaying normal yard/garden tasks for weeks! I did not start until the beginning of September. Only mowing grass was done, when necessary.

When it was finally cool enough, wow, there was a lot to do! It took me several hours each day over a whole week to prune bushes, pull weeds, remove errant vines, and transplant perennials. The result was a trailer filled with yard waste and a much neater yard as shown in the photos.

Toward the end of the week as the trailer was filling and I was weeding out/transplanting flowers, I heard the inward voice of Holy Spirit speaking to me — both about the project at hand, and how to apply lessons learned to my spiritual life.

First, there were so many things that had gotten out of hand, and that made it hard work to set things right. I realized that even with the warm days, there was often a cool time early in the day. I could have used that time to tend to one small area at a time — preventing weeds from spreading and doing what was needed for healthy plants, and it would have been easier.

That applies spiritually as well! He wants us to come to Him every day, to fellowship with Him. We can bring even the little things that need attention to Him at any time, ask and expect Him to teach us and to work with, in, for and through us.

Weeds – ugh! The longer they are let go, the more ground they take, and some have deep roots. Weeds will choke out the life of other plants. BUT, after a good rain and with the right tools, it is much easier to remove them.

Spiritual Weeds – I thought of Ephesians 5 where it talks about the washing of the water of the Word (who is Jesus). How as we hear/read the Word it reveals the truth as well as what is not true (and weeds are like lies). And of II Corinthians 10:4-5, which talks about the weapons of our warfare, and casting down imaginations (also lies) that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God. We have been given the tools we need.

Then there are perennials. In their place they are beautiful, but can be invasive, almost becoming like weeds. They can become overcrowded and more of a nuisance than something to enjoy. For example mint — it must be managed or it will take over!

Spiritually, similar to perennials, I must be aware of even the good/beautiful things in my life. It’s good to have/do/enjoy other good things, but they must be managed. My relationship with Jesus must be first and take up the most space in my heart.

My garden still needs more work, but I committed to tending it, the same with my relationship with the Lord. I am grateful for His patience, grace, leading and most of all His love.

Hopefully you have enjoyed this story, and are also encouraged to tend your garden, or better yet, to spend more time with Jesus. Oh how He loves you and me!