Genesis 1 & 2
Every spring I look forward to digging up the soil, getting the weeds out and planting. You wouldn’t call me an avid gardener though. I’m not out there every day, other than watering. Still, I really love preparing, planning and then planting. The flowers and herbs bring me great joy. I actually smile each morning as I tend to them.
Did God feel joy as He prepared, planned and planted the garden of Eden? I wonder. . . .
Though I have read the first two chapters o the bible before, I honestly never saw that Father God was a gardener. I had never seen Him doing that in creation and had never tied that to God preparing, planning and planting the garden of our lives. It all makes sense though. The picture of God planting different things in each season of our lives definitely works.
I look at my life and see how God planted, tended, protected and gave me what I needed to grow through the years. I also see how my garden burned to the ground in 2014 when my husband died. I found myself sitting in nothing but ash. But bit by bit the fertile soil, nourished by the nutrients in the ash, began to recover.
The process has been painful but necessary. Along the way God has used grief moments to work the dead ashes into the soil, turning it over & over. He didn’t allow weeds and He tended the soil of my heart with great care. He used His word, bible study and prayer to feed me. He used music, dear friends and love from family to water my soul. Now more than 3 years later I see growth. The garden of my life has some green and a few flowers.
Becoming
I am becoming – actually we all are. God has been and will always be the Master Gardener. We can trust Him to plan perfectly and plant beauty. His word promises that “He who began the good work in you will continue his work until it is finally finished.” – Philippians 1:6. Isn’t that good news? We aren’t finished yet. Our gardens aren’t fully mature. God is still planting, still tending. God is a good Gardener.
If you are in a season of ashes, or a season of painful weed pulling, just know God has a plan. Know God not only loves you, but loves gardening. And just like I thrill to see flowers bloom, God thrills to see each of us bloom and mature. Our garden just looks better and better as we become more like Him. So take heart. No matter what your garden looks like, there’s hope. God’s not done with you. Matter of fact, He may just be in the beginning season of restoration.
Trust the Master Gardener. Let Him restore your soul. He will “do exceedingly abundantly beyond all you ask or think.” – Ephesians 3:20
I can’t wait to see the finished garden – mine and yours.