I stuck my hand straight into the dirt to make a hole for a young plant. I needed to feel the dirt and process the last eight days. Working within my garden allowed my mind to rest and remember that God hears our cries, even the ones that are so deep they are not audible.
My mother-in-law just passed away (May ’23), surrounded by her family and in her home that is encompassed by her beloved green cathedral. Gretchen Bloom was an avid gardener, and I learned many gardening techniques from her. Beyond gardening one of the most prominent mentored preparations I received from her as a young woman, was the art of hospitality. I had firsthand experience watching and helping my mother-in-law use her own garden to be hospitable to others and as a tool for ministry.
Gretchen’s garden was like a beautifully set table awaiting to welcome one to enter, enjoy and dwell. Gretchen grew lots of vegetables and always had colorful zinnias welcoming the Midwest summer breeze. If it was too hot in the garden to visit she would draw you onto her porch nearby to sip lemonade or sweet tea.
In the evenings Gretchen’s garden was the top spot for her grandchildren to race around and catch fireflies at dusk. It was a place you could find her at dawn making the list of what needed to be done, and strategizing on recruiting the help that was needed.
Garden’s Grow Gardeners
Back in April 2023 Gretchen authored this article for us. I encourage you to read it to look more closely at how she embraced gardening as a gift from God to hand down skills and values that gives a tremendous heritage to future generations.
For many, many moons the garden supplied a year’s worth of food: 80 pints of pickled beets, 80 quarts of green beans, 100-quart bags of corn, packed tomatoes, salsa, ketchup, pickles of all sorts, ground zucchini, zucchini relish and more. That was what we put up for later. On top of that, during the summer, there was all the fresh lettuce and kale you could consume and so much more. It was a working garden that created a tapestry of hospitality.
The art of hospitality is a recipe that is learned, carried down, and shared just like an old family recipe.
- It begins with the willingness to serve, share, and be used by God to provide hospitality to others.
- First and foremost, my mother-in-law passed down that the home should be a sanctuary to your family.
- Organization is key! Hospitality begins in your home and your home environment sets the stage for hospitality. Make your home inviting to your family, friends, and whoever God sends your way. This includes your garden spaces. Create the environment where you will find rest, comfort, and inspiration and you will create a place of ministry. As the head of a ministry, my mother-in-law knew the importance of being ready to receive whom God would send her way.
- Freely give as you are able to include your time and garden produce, If it’s to hot in the garden do what my mother-in-law would do and invite others to the place you like to sip lemonade this summer.
I hope you are enjoying your garden space and have found time to slow life’s pace down. I encourage you to read this issue of ripen – a gardening lifestyle magazine and learn how others are using their growing skills to minister to others and share hospitality.
I want to hear from you. Please CONTACT US and reach out if you have a garden ministry, garden story, or use your garden to provide hospitality to others. Have a story to share? Text “mystory” to 22828.
With Gratitude,
Kimberly Bloom
A Hand of Tranquility and a Harvest Lifestyle
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