How Does Your Garden Grow?

 

"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, 

but God has been making it grow. 

So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything,

 but only God, 

who makes things grow.  

The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, 

and they will each be rewarded according to their own labour. 

For we are co-workers in God's service, 

you are God's field, God's building." 

1 Corinthians 3:6-8

I'm all about the garden again today.  Which is interesting since I don't really have one.  And I don't even really call myself a gardener, not at all.  Except something is gradually starting to take shape in a few little spaces around the house, and so I guess that counts for something.

Remember, this is our first spring/summer season on this property.  Plus, the construction itself fairly decimated whatever else was in the backyard.  Mostly we're dealing with a bare sandy base on which various organic and inorganic 'stuff' is piled, a lot of it sorted, but not entirely.

Before

That's a bigger job, best left for the landscapers we've connected with who listened to our ideas and drawn out a map that will guide us over the next few years.  First stage work is happening soon, and I can hardly wait.

Meanwhile, I'm just putzing around on our front porch.  And also just this one section of the back fence that I see out my bedroom window.  That's the 'before' picture above.

With the huge help of some flowers I received for Mother's Day, and a bit more added under the creative guidance of my art-inclined, colour-and-placement-wise granddaughter Abby, something is actually happening back here.

After

The non-flowering pieces are an eclectic gathering of what was already lying around in one of the various piles mentioned earlier, and garden accents from the other house.  It still needs a birdhouse or two, I think.  And likely something written, maybe the English and Thai words for Garden, a suggestion I'm seriously considering, especially since in Thai the words for "garden" and "heaven" are so similar.

But what I'm also thoroughly delighted by, in my "I'm not a gardener" garden, is the other spring offerings that are coming up in spite of themselves.  Or rather, in spite of me.

They're everywhere, valiantly rising up out of the construction carnage, doing their thing whether anyone sees them or not.  And I so admire them for that.

 

And here's the thing.  I am all about intentionality and taking agency and being responsible for my own growth.  Especially spiritual formation.  That's really important to me.  But I am also keenly aware, and my not-really-a-garden=yet reminds me, that regardless of what I do or don't do, I'm not the one making it happen.

Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthian church, made sure to give a fellow-teacher all the credit deserved.  He recognized his own part in the formation of the folks there (and elsewhere he served as a spiritual leader).  But there was no question Who was in charge.  

And it only makes sense.  Because what needs to be formed in me is not humanly possible to accomplish.  What still wrestles in the deeper places of self and ego is beyond my agency to deliver me from.  It needs the Divine components of grace and redemption and love-like-no-other.  It needs the touch of God, and His longsuffering patience with me, His power working in me.

Looks like we have a beauty day ahead of us.  Maybe a few more storms over the weekend.  I am so looking forward to doing some more putzing outside.  If I find any more little surprises in any little shady, hidden spaces, I'll take some pictures, don't worry.

Happy growing, whatever you're working on!!

And Happy Long Weekend!!  

Fresh Expectation

Little bunches of Spring happiness are poking out in the garden under the window of David's house at the front of our property here on Sandra Avenue.  

I love these first tiny surprises of beauty, having hid themselves away under the snow all winter, now braving the frost warnings to announce the new season.  

It's not like I was completely unaware of the front flower garden.  I had lots of Gramma visits before we made the move here.  But this being our first Spring, and me being outside yesterday wanting to help with the outdoor upkeep a little, everything feels fresh.

Also, I've discovered a happy bonus of the orientation of our new little house.  This time of year, the sunrise happens literally right outside our front door.

Please excuse the mess of this 'before-landscaping' picture.  We're in progress with big plans for the spring and summer.  Hopefully I will be able to post pictures of things as they develop.  But for right now, just look at that sunshine pouring in!  It's like I open the door and the day just bursts in all possible.

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice;

in the morning I lay my requests before you

and wait expectantly.

Psalm 5:3

There is much to make us fret in these uncertain days.  Maybe we might not want to open the door to a brand new day, given we are never sure what the day will bring.  In fact, the whole of this morning song we know as Psalm 5, despite the hopeful tone of verse 3, is actually a cry for help against forces that threaten.

But there is a solid strength in waiting expectantly.

In opening the door to the new day and defiantly welcoming the fresh and the beautiful and the possible.

Perhaps the difference between worry and expectant waiting is faith.

God knows.

Counting down to Election Day.

God keep our land.