Upheld In Being Tended

Ground tending and planting is happening in my corner of the country.  I cleared out several flower beds yesterday and as the protective winter debris was pulled off, I’m sure I could feel the perennials breathing.  I fancied I could see them standing up. I saw small red heads poking out of the ground and today I see even more. I do believe they have grown overnight. The plan is to take away the moss eating the nutrients, bring in new dirt and clear away the weeds. Yes, weeds. Already. No problem growing those anywhere, anytime.

I have three huge piles of pineneedles that need to be hauled away.

Amazing how I wait for those needles to drop in the Autumn and I carefully cover my plants, then in Spring, I have to get them off my plants so the tender shoots don’t mold away and so they can grow.

But I can’t make them grow. I can till the ground, do everything I can, but it still takes the right amount of sun and water to make beautiful blooms and luscious vegetables.

Guess that’s how it is.

Often, I know I am being tended by the Master Gardner. He clears away my debris, pulls the weeds choking my growth, and at times, I still see the debris laying around waiting to be hauled off. The fallout from my choices, or the choices of others—all the consequences of a season of sin.

But, then, the Gardner clears the moss clogging my dirt, brings in the right amount and the right kinds of nutrients to give me nourishment. Then He shines on me, gives me warmth and grace and the coolness of mercy so that I might grow and bloom with all He’s given to me to bring forth.

This time of year, in this hemisphere at least, it’s easy to see God as the earth wakes up from the long sleep of winter. (Of course, those in Michigan have to wait a little longer….). I do love Spring and the reminders of to Whom we belong.

When the Gardener does the tending, it’s like it says in the Scripture, “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper” Psalm 1:3.