Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Garden (09/07/06)
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TITLE: "Corn, Sweet Corn" | Previous Challenge Entry
By Frank Salerni
09/07/06 -
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“I’m going to grow Sweet Corn, broccoli, lettuce, tomatoes…” My wife was excited. She was determined to use part of her summer, by meeting our growing families need. Eating healthy on a limited budget, as you know, is nearly impossible these days. I knew that her decision would certainly cost me time and energy, but that was a small price to pay for the exuberance she radiated.
The less money we had, the more I sought ways to fight financial depression. Neither one of us was unnecessarily materialistic, but we had decided together, that going into the ministry was not without a high cost. We had moved past the “testing of the water,” so to speak, and plunged headlong into the pool of church ministerial life.
I watched as she nurtured her garden, and tried encouraging her as the sprouts started growing. Spending a little time on a farm in Oklahoma, I knew that disappointment was on the horizon. The garden was too small, too cute, but too important not to let her complete the task. She was unstoppable in her quest as she said, “I can’t wait to walk outside and pluck fresh corn for dinner.” I’d just smile.
The time came when she knew that the growing season was over. Her heart sank, as the realization of slim pickings was evident. Pests ate half the tomatoes, the broccoli never reached maturity in our climates short season, the lettuce was bitter, and the corn… well the corn really tore her up!
“Where’s all the Sweet Corn!” I knew that this was going to bug her because she wasn’t growing the corn for her, but for me. It was my favorite. She had planted only four stocks of corn, without realizing that each stock only would produce a couple of ears each. Not only that, but each ear was at best, tiny.
Her eyes filled with tears as she set the entire garden on the table for the family meal.
“I’m such a failure!” she cried. My heart ached for her, but knew that her toil and sweat would be redeemed. Her tears turned to hysterical laughter as we counted the cost of the garden. The corn tasted great, in spite of the size, and we enjoyed the meal, savoring the twenty-two dollar apiece golden delights!
Although we were on a tight budget, God’s lesson in counting the cost was priceless!
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