Yo howdy All y’all – It is always a beautiful day to be in this garden of life, even on – and perhaps especially – the days of rain.
“Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.” Hosea 10:12
I am surprised daily by the demonstration of abundance in our gardens, the variety of flowers and textures and the myriad of “greens” displaying in the foliage. Some of my favorite surprises have been with tiny blooms and delicate leaves best seen while walking – one such plant grows several places including beside the walkway from the parking lot into our Gazebo gardens area – it’s a plant with wispy leaves and short stalks of tiny purple flowers.
In not uprooting these unknowns, a conscious practice of “letting go, letting God”. I try to practice a “purposeful touch”, and I have learned many ways such touch—including “hand’s off” – does result in the accomplishment of many purposes.
Preparing space in Spring for tomatoes and other vegetables means clearing out the weeds that have grown since last season’s vegetable production ceased. More than a dozen types of plants were growing where the produce grows, including several wildflowers and perennials. In my esoteric process of “weeding” for the produce, many “interloping” weeds and wilds were thinned and then transplanted both directly into another spot and also into pots for the garden sale.
Greatly appreciated is the enthusiasm and energy shared by several congregants on our recent “church work day”. Some of the ground we shepherd for planting is very hard – filled with rocks and/or hard clay. For the gift of such hard work in fallow ground being broken there is only gratitude. I do apologize for not sharing better my goals for gentler workways. The hard work done also enabled the planting of bushy blue stem grasses, planting yuccas blooming red or yellow, and provided us with over 25 two-gallon yucca plants for sale during our Garden Party and Sale coming up May 1-4.
Yo howdy HEY! You are all welcome during these days! Several folks have scheduled specific times they will help with sales (thank you!), but spontaneous participation is also especially welcome. Your presence representing our Church congregation, and our denomination while demonstrating our “Vision Statement”: “To be a Christ-centered church that supports family, community and global transformation through worship, education, and outreach.” Direct engagement with folks passing by is joyful.
“Gardening with God”: Welcoming and affirming weeds and wilds, other herbs and foods, transplants and renegades. Nourishment for mind and body within reach. Celebrating the abundance available to share with each other in accepting gratitude for our sacred planet. Our gardens are serving as inspiration for the creation of other gardens in our community and beyond. Gardens accepting that we being people are all just “weeds”, some of us a bit wild.
Be well share joy.
Phil