Life Lessons I've Learned from the Garden

I've always admired farmers and avid gardeners. To be able to grow tiny seeds into rows and rows of beautiful flowers or vivacious fruits and vegetables has always fascinated me. Earlier this year I decided to try my hands at starting my very own small vegetable garden. Much research went into just the planning of the garden. The location and layout of the beds. The placement of different plants. Seasons and timing of planting certain plants. What plants grow best next to others. Likewise, which plants shouldn't be planted next to others. How to keep pests out of the garden (this is an ongoing struggle I might add). The list goes on and on. I learned so much in preparation and I continue to learn more and more every day on this adventure of tending a garden.

I am an "all-in" personality. Everything I do, I want to do it the best I can. Additionally, I don't like failing and tend to be a perfectionist by nature. Although these are not bad qualities, I will say my first lesson learned in the garden is that failure is inevitable. Some crops that I started never ended up yielding any harvest. My cucumbers for starters, grew wonderfully at first. The plant itself looked like it was doing so well for a time. The vine grew large and strong and after making sure the flowers got pollenated, small cucumbers started to grow. They kept growing until one day they just stalled out and eventually died. I'm pretty certain either the pH of my soil was off or the plant itself became riddled with a disease. Despite all of my efforts to fertilize and spray with natural fungicides, the plant just failed. Sometimes in life, no matter your efforts, you will fail too. But failure is never wasted when we can learn from the experience. Although I was highly disappointed in the result of this crop, ultimately failure is the best teacher.

To everything there is a season. Living in sunny, hot Florida. Zone 10 for any other gardeners out there. Our seasons are quite different from other places around the country. What we can grow here and when to get started can vary depending upon the weather conditions. So far, I have learned my highest yield came in the late spring. I was able to successfully harvest Romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, onions, sweet peppers, along with lots of basil all Spring and into the early Summer. Although my herbs have somewhat survived the scorching summer heat, not much else has been able to make it.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

If you go on to read the verses following Ecclesiastes 3:1, the writer explains that there is "a time to plant and a time to uproot" and many other such examples. Although we would love to have our lives feel good all of the time. To be in a perpetual season of bearing fruit and seeing growth, that just isn't reality. And it isn't what is best for us. Sometimes we experience hardships, we suffer diseases, we may need to be uprooted from toxic situations or relationships. Yett every hardship we survive only makes us stronger for the next one.

The fruit that we long to bear and the growth that we long to see in our lives does not come easy. It takes intentionality, hard work and perseverance. Yet, God promises us results when we remain faithful in Him.

Patience is key. Living in this instant gratification world, I know we all like to see instant results. We get our groceries delivered to our front doors or whatever else we want with just a click of a button. I am completely guilty of this as well. However, my garden is reminding me to be patient. To slow down. Enjoy the present. Planting a seed, watching it sprout, grow and then bear fruit, takes time. A long time.

Although it would be easier to just go to the grocery store and buy the produce (which I remind you, I have 5 mouths to feed in my house, so I still do), good things come to those who wait. The garden has been such a beautiful extension of the classroom for me and my kids. To learn that not everything has instant results. Not everything comes with the click of a button. Just like we have to wait for that seed to grow, we too, have to be patient and wait on God's timing in life.

Intentional watering. It is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and forget to water the plants. But without the proper amount of water, they will quickly shrivel up and die. Our lives are the same. We can get easily distracted or caught up in all of the things on our to-do list that we can forget to water our souls. Jesus reminds us that He is living water.

"But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

John 4:14

When we remember to intentionally and regularly spend time in God's word, He is faithful to give us everything that we need. We will not run dry. We will not thirst for the things of this world when our hearts are set on things above. This takes hard work.

I have to remember to water my plants every day, typically in the morning, so that they have what they need to survive the heat of the day. Likewise, we need to be watered every day, letting the truth and power of God's words and love wash over us. Allowing Him to fill us up with living water and give us everything that we need to survive the heat of the day.

Just like gardening, living a life for Christ is a lot of work. It takes courage, strength, perseverance, and a whole lot of patience. It is not impossible. There are many who do it well. With the right tools, some preparation, intentionality, and daily devotion, we too can spring up beautiful and fruitful lives.

Love you mama!