Frequently being in and out camping and all, I knew gardening would be different this year. To make maintaining things easier between trips, I planned to ease up by not planting the 60-80 pots I typically plant. Maybe, I thought, I could keep it to 50? This week’s back injury, however, made even 50 seem unlikely. Mike dashed out for a heating pad and returned with the pad and this pretty bouquet; but the pad wasn’t helping my back any more than the bouquet was helping my mood.
Today, I woke up determined to do my thing; but after freshly filling one of my favorite chalky clay pots with a bright yellow begonia, I lifted it and instantly knew. I’d overdone it, and so I made my way to a chair in the sun and surrendered. I listened to the birds sing while Gracie roamed, eventually sniffing herself sleepy and laying down on the warm grass at my feet. I found a lesson there:
Gracie rests in “what is” without thought of “what could be.” Could I do the same? I spent some time with the thought, and I wondered. Perhaps what’s already here deserves — needs — my attention? Perhaps this lesson extends far beyond the garden?
Heavenly Father, please help me to see the beauty you’ve set before me as enough, to trust you to grow what needs growing, to rest in your perfect provision. You are the Master Gardener. I know I will thrive only when surrendered to your skilled and loving hands. Amen.
Bless you, healing thoughts for your mind, body and spirit. Just a thought, but when you go out camping you will enjoy the beauty of the countryside even more without having to worry about whether the pots at home need watering.
