I look out our window which faces our yard and there it is – the patch of grass which used to be our garden. It now has freshly planted green grass growing beautifully.
After last summer, we made the decision not to have a garden any longer. There seemed to be too much else going on to keep up with it. So we decided we would grow a few tomato plants in pots to enjoy.
Yet today I look at the patch of grass, still able to faintly detect what used to be and am thinking of my father-in-law, who loved to garden. Due to the progression of Alzheimer’s, he has not gardened in a few years. I was reminded of a post I had written just two years ago …..
Saturday I went to buy a few tomato plants to put in my father-in-law’s garden for him to tend to over this summer. I not only came home with the plants but with a few gardening tips, which I so greatly appreciated. Little did I know how the advice would continue to speak into my heart.
The two gardening tips were:
- “More root, more fruit.” The garden worker then proceeded to tell me how to promote more root growth. The growth would take place under the soil, unseen, but I would know that the roots were extensive when I harvested more fruit. What about our own lives? Are we developing more root? Are our root systems traveling through good soil, producing more than we anticipated? We are told in Ephesians 3, “And I pray that you, being rooted & established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide & long & high & deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge ”“ THAT you may be filled to the measure of the fullness of God.” As we are rooted, we are filled and productive.
- “Water what you want to grow.” He explained how proper watering would encourage the roots to deepen, keep the leaves from drying and keep the plant flourishing. In Psalm 1 we are told to make God’s Word our delight, meditating on it day and night. The result? “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”Â
May this be a summer of developed root systems and well watered lives for us all!
Today I am joining …. Testimony Tues. and Unite and Soli Deo Gloria and Playdates With God and Titus 2 Tues. and Teaching What Is Good and Titus 2sday .
That’s special. I love how the gardening tips you received are translated to a bigger plan – and still work. It makes me feel connected. Have a lovely day!
It is amazing to me how we can learn & grow spiritually from practical gardening tips. Thank you for visiting & sharing!
Loved, loved, loved “more root, more fruit”! It’s so true and something I’m so aware of these days. Thanks for linking up to Testimony Tuesday!
Holly, it struck me so funny that it rhymed which is exactly what caused me to always remember it 🙂
Good advice–for the garden and the spirit! Praying much fruit for you, my friend.
Thank you so much, Laura. May this summer be a season of fruit bearing for you as well!
Great gardening tips, Joanne! I pray we all develop strong roots and are well-watered in the Word of Jesus and may we share this with all. Happy summer to you! Mary
Strong roots & well-watered sounds like wonderful goals for this summer season. Always a joy to read your comments! Thank you!
That verse from Ephesians has been talked about a lot today. I love when God does that. Great tips, Joanne. Much love to you. xoxo
simple yet very insightful. This is the type of image/tip that will stay with me. Thank you!!
It is what sticks with me as well, Jean. So appreciate you!