Marge Thompson, ‘Life is Like a Garden’
It is said that gardening can lift depression, release stress and anxiety and strengthen the immune system. This is what gardening can teach us.
- Abandon Perfectionism-We have to work in our garden to keep away the pests and weeds. We all have sinned. God sees everything so surrender everything to Him.
- Things take time to grow-Gardening requires patience and trust. What is it that’s growing in your life? Read 2 Peter 3:89. We learn this. Some things cannot be rushed. We must trust in the Lord’s timing. Read Proverbs 3:5.
- Detach from outcomes-Put effort into your life like putting effort int your garden. Realize that the outcome may not be what you expect or hope for. Read Ephesians 4:13. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through peace.
- Everything contributes-Every living thing has a purpose… even the weeds. Nothing in the world is wasted. You have a purpose. Find it and use it!
- Everything self-organizes-There is wisdom hiding in the ground like the fungi. True wisdom means you not only are talking the talk, you are walking the walk.
- Things decay and die-What needs to go away in your life? What you want Jesus to do…He will do! It begins with the breaking of the proud unyielding self.
- Trust the senses-If you tasted something from you garden that is bitter or rotten… you throw it away. If you have people in your life tearing you down psychologically… remove them from your life. Read Matthew 10:14-15.
- Nature has multiple ways of doing things-All Gods creatures pick up the slack to keep the ecosystem going. Being part of a community (the church) is the spiritual duty of every believer. The church is your identity, your place of belonging.
Take another look at your garden to see what God is teaching you!