As a kid, I used to hate gardens.
Maybe it was the feel of dirt between my toes, dry, hot, and crusty.
Perhaps it was the sweat beading down my back, or my arms itching from corn and okra leaves.
It could have been the MASSIVE gardens that Dad was so fond of.
But probably it was just that gardens were a lot of WORK, and as a kid, I would have preferred to sit up in the cold AC on 100-degree days, a light blanket over my knees, lost in the pages of a book.
What. Happened. To. That. Kid?
Here I am, 25 years later with a garden of my own every year. It’s not that I love the difficult parts of gardening, I just love fresh tomato sandwiches with tons of mayonnaise. I love corn, microwaved in its husk five minutes after it’s picked. I love peas, squash, and pickles. Fried okra. Running out to get a bell pepper for a recipe. Nibbling raw green beans while I pick them.
But there’s a process to gardening.
Plowing, planting, watering, weeding, picking, and preserving. It’s still a LOT OF WORK.
So, we share the load.
Jason plowed the whole garden up for me. He tills up the weeds.
The kids and I planted most of the garden.
And when I just could not find time to get the squash and cucumbers in the ground, I sent the kids out with instructions to plant them. I mean, they might not plant it perfectly, but seeds in the ground are a lot better than seeds on the counter! And wonder of wonders, they not only came up, but they’re thriving!
But as I washed dishes this morning, I started thinking about all the people throughout my life who have plowed, planted, watered, weeded, and harvested in the garden of my life.
There are way too many to name, but I think of Felicia and Deborah teaching a VBS class on the Sower and the seeds.
Mr. Bryan, who allowed a fumble-fingered teenager to play keyboard on the worship team.
Pastor Jack and Mrs. Debbie who gave money towards my mission trip to Albania.
Mrs. Lori, who always made her cozy home a place that teenagers could show up and feel welcome.
Mrs. Martie, who taught a bible study and garnered the term “Kisses from the King” to remind us that God shows up in unexpected ways just to bless us.
Mr. John Duncan, who just overflowed with JOY from Jesus, and energy everywhere he went.
People who loved Jesus and were never too busy to pour into kids’ lives like Chris and Katrina, Jami, Steph, Gail, and my precious Mama.
Friends who I love DEARLY and always point me to Jesus whether we are far apart or near like Devan, Tiffany, Katie, Courtney, Hannah, Holly, and Mycala.
My Grandma who gathered us in like chicks, invited us to participate in her daily life, and took us fishing.
My Grandmama, who could be counted on for ice-cream in her freezer, a sprinkler on a hot day, warm hugs, and the BEST cereal when we spent the night at her house.
My Dad, for telling me that if I really wanted something, and was willing to work hard, I could do it. Like change my own tire or go to college for my teaching degree.
Every single one of my sisters and brothers for being a safe place for me to be myself, and for laughing with me…a LOT.
As I thought of each one of these people (and many others!) who have planted and watered my life and relationship with Jesus, 1 Corinthians 3:5-11 came to mind. It says:
(5) After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us.
(6) I PLANTED the seed in your hearts, and Apollos WATERED it, but it was GOD WHO MADE IT GROW.
(7) It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.
(8) The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.
(9) For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.
(10) Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful.
(11) For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.
Jesus is my foundation. His Holy Spirit makes my life grow fruit when I abide and live in HIM. (John 15:4-5) But for the ones willing to plant, water, or harvest, God uses them to grow His purpose and kingdom.
Looking back, I can see how much sacrifice it took to lead a bible study for a group of rowdy teenagers who probably jumped off topic a million times in an hour. But because these people were faithful to plant a seed, I see fruit in my life.
Are you a planter? A waterer? Do you plow the fields? Harvest souls for God’s kingdom?
Then do it. Do it for God’s glory (1 Cor. 10:31)
And don’t despise the small bits you are able to contribute. If the only thing you can contribute is an encouraging text to a friend, start there.
Remember, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand…” Zechariah 4:10a NLT
One of these days, when we get to heaven, may we be overwhelmed by how God used our tiny plantings and waterings for His glory!
Oh, and if you can think of anyone who has been influential in your life-garden, thank them for their contributions. It might be nice for them to hear this side of heaven.
