Lessons from the Gardon | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Lessons from the Gardon | Previous Challenge Entry
By Ann-Marie Neal
09/02/07
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Lessons in the Garden

What attracts a person to a garden? For me three attractions draw me to either a public or a private garden - visual beauty, ‘bold’ splashes of color and wonderful fragrances that fill the air. Sometimes the beauty of the flowers makes me gasp and I just have to walk up close the examine God’s handiwork for myself.
Gardening, after all, is the oldest profession in the world, and the plant varieties are practically endless, but in today’s world where we are so used to conveniences, what does it offer besides hard work, aching backs, endless weeding and sore muscles? Having been gardening many years, almost as long as I have been a Christian, God has taught me many things in the hours of fellowship we’ve had together.
One of the first things I learned is patience - waiting for seeds to sprout, then to grow, then to learn how to care for the plants. Through this I saw how God was patient with me, waiting for me to respond to His call on my life and be nourished by His loving word.
Another lesson I learned was being thankful for the harvest and even for the failures when a beautiful rose bush died, because there was always something to learn. After the hard work day after day, I could become emotionally drained; but God gave me the courage not to give up, to work even harder and to plan for the next years’ gardens. This can be applied when trying to witness to others. Sometimes it’s a positive experience, and sometimes it’s very discouraging. Fear of rejection can make me timid in this area, but having strength from the Holy Spirit allows me to share God’s love with boldness, remembering that some plant, some water, and some reap the harvest!
A very important lesson learned was in the area of pruning. This will either make or break a plant, shrub or tree. However, pruning is necessary if a plant is to live up to its potential. Whether it is deadheading the perennials, trimming out the sucker shoots from the lilac, topping an overgrown tree, cutting away the winter killed branches and diseased stems, or cleaning out the branches from last years’ hydrangea to give room for the new shoots, pruning can be a lifesaver if preformed in the correct manner. A gardener cannot be timid when it comes to pruning. He must be bold and fearless as he takes the lopper in hand and tackles the job.
In John 15 Jesus talks about being fruitful and abiding in Him, the true vine. Without Christ I can do nothing. Without Christ I am unfruitful, but in Him the NKJV reads in verse 7 that “you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” A plant doesn’t say to me, “Please prune my branches so I can grow better;” I have to make that decision. However, God has shown me that I have a great and loving Father in heaven who knows that any sin in my life is like a branch that needs to be pruned away. To this I say, “Yes, Lord,” in order that I may please Him and fulfill His purpose in me. To this end when He comes again in glory, I may stand boldly before Him as a child before a loving Father.
A garden is more than soil and plants. It is living proof of God’s intimate connection with His creation and He allows some of us the privilege of working and learning and fellowshipping with Him in this medium. Thank you, Lord.

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