Garden View

The wonders of our gardens remind us of God’s creation. I am so glad God is in the details and has an everlasting eye for beauty. Through this garden view our sovereign God shares His creation with us every day. He graciously allows us to garden so we too, can experience the art of creating something wonderful and vibrant. By gardening, we are given the ability to share our creations with others.

The Bible says that God’s glory is on tour in the skies, and God’s craft is on exhibit across the horizon. Have you ever thought about God’s view of your garden? Or have you ever pondered as you work your garden that the garden your hands care for is declaring God’s glory?

Sometimes, in our rush to spring forth our gardens, we find we’re constantly on the go. We need to prune roses, clear out garden beds, refill garden boxes with dirt, buy seeds, plant seeds, and the to-do list keeps you going.

STOP THE RUSH AND DO THIS …

Stop! Before the Spring rush, to get the growing season going, stop yourself and spend time with God in your garden. Here’s how:

• Lift prayers of thanks and gratitude for the ability to garden.
• Reflect on the healing that not only needs to take place in your garden but also in you.
• Give God your hopes for your garden.
• Ask God how your garden can give Him glory.
• Consider how your garden can reflect the creative nature of our God.
• Envision how you can influence, serve and exhort so that your garden can provide peace, joy, and hope for others.

Even though our gardens may have limits, God’s plans for our gardens are not limited.

As gardeners, we can beautify a little spot and share our finite garden with everyone God sends our way. Even though our gardens may have limits, God’s plans for our gardens are not limited. We have the opportunity this spring, before any seeds are in the ground, to surrender our gardens and allow God to use our gardens to grow His kingdom.

How, you might ask. Well, your garden is a wonder of creation. It’s not just a space for growing good things to eat, it is your sanctuary, truly a holy place where you lovingly and tenderly practice care and stewardship. It is a place that reverences nature and all things great and small. Your garden can compassionately guide others to peace so they can make peace with others. Your garden provides lessons of the seasons and a path to wonderful awakenings for both eyes and souls. Your garden reflects God’s growing work in you.

Think of it this way, just like fireflies draw children out into dusk, your garden and your gardening lifestyle can, if you allow it, be an Eden for others. Your garden can produce fruit that impacts eternity.

PRODUCE A HARVEST THAT IMPACTS ETERNITY

Get out to your garden today and embrace God’s garden view for it. Here are a simple ideas that in God’s hands can make a big difference:

• Invite someone over to help you plant your garden. Maybe an elderly neighbor or someone who would like to learn to garden.
• I had an elderly loved one help me fill small pots with soil and drop seeds into them to give to others one Spring.
• A few years ago, I walked a young woman through a garden store who never planted anything and helped her plant pots up for her townhouse patio.
• Purchase seeds for someone else or even start seedlings to give them. It’s a simple and generous way for you to be a gardening influence.
• Share your garden dreams with your children or grandchildren and let them pick seeds and plants for your garden.
• I have also grown veggies and flowers in trays to give to others to plant

This season let G.A.R.D.E.N. … remind you of the garden view that God wants you to have in your own life experiences and demonstrate to others:

G – Give Grace

A -Amidst the blooms reflect on God’s goodness

R- Reactivate relationships

D- Disk doubts

E – Evoke a vision  

N – Nurture others

As always- let’s ripen together!

Kimberly Bloom, Editor