 |
|---|
|
|---|
______________ ______________
|
Saturday, April 21, 2007
 Thursday, on the drive home from school, I told my daughter that I was digging a garden. Plants have become the newest passion for this little girl, so much so that 5-year-old Nathaniel bought one on Wednesday, and surprised her by placing it on her window sill before she got home. It's all she's been talking about lately, so we couldn't pass by the Gerber daisies without wondering what Maddy might say if we brought one home just for her. Talk of the new garden in the backyard, got all of the kids excited. In fact, the minute I parked the car, they all ran to the back yard so they could get involved. You should have seen my kids in the garden, it honestly was the most precious thing I've experienced in ages--maybe ever. So, we started digging the garden I had started earlier--each one of them are helping out. It's adorable to see them pitch in because they are excited that we're creating something pretty. We took turns using the shovel, the spade, the fork, and even the garden gloves. Little muscles rolled back sod, grunting, and puffing all the while, then the teenaged eating machine came out and made the job easier for us until either his back was sore or the kitchen was calling his name. I see so much love going into this garden, that I know I'll cherish it for as long as I live. Right now we're only preparing the soil, but they've already asked if they can be in charge of planting or watering, or weed digging--too cute. About an hour into the project, I could tell that Maddy was a bit annoyed. Being the girl with the passion for plants, she wants to do it all. She didn't like the fact that her little brother was stronger and had more schutzpa when it came to tugging on the sod, nor did she like the fact that her older brother was a better digger than all of us put together. The last straw came when Graham said, "Mom, I want to water this garden every night, ok?" I could tell it was the last straw because she threw down the shovel as the pink rose in her soil stained cheeks. I guess you probably know the lesson that little girl needed to learn. It's the same lesson we all need to hear every once in a while as we're planting this garden of love for our Father...that "he that planteth and he that watereth are one." "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." ~ 1 Corinthians 12:5-11 Just this week, my friend leaned on the fence, looked at the soil and said, "They say that you're closest to God when you're out in the garden." Hmmm...you know what? Metiphorically speaking, that just might be true, but the question is are we in there working with our brothers and sisters, giving it all that we've got, or have we thrown down the shovel to let the pink rise in our soil stained cheeks? Grab a shovel ladies, we've got a garden to plant! :) Labels: Darlene's Articles, Parenting, seed-planting, serving God, Spring
Comments:
I wish I could plant our own plants but a green thumb we don't have, our garden is pretty though thanks to our gardner. I don't feel guilty for not doing it myself becaue our guy really needs the few dollars he gets from us.
Love your post.
Hello 'neighbor'...I love the two different pictures :). You are right, they have cleaned up a lot down town. We will be down-town next Friday for a Diamondbacks game - first time ever we will enter the ballpark :)...
I like both orientations of photos on blogs. One suggestion I would have though - center your pictures, even the portrait ones :) Have a wonderful weekend (wonder if is is going to rain...). Thanks for the visit and the comments, they do mean a lot to me. I hope you enjoy the game, my brother in law went with me once and he grew up in L.A. and Dodger Stadium, so when he visited this park all he kept saying was, "This does not feel like a stadium, it feels like a mall". I kindda agree but the park is still beautiful. It doesn't look like rain though, today was hazy but nice. I tried to center my pictures, the code is even there but for some reason this blog is not accepting my command so I'll settle for them being towards the left. Up to today I had only posted "landscape" format, I think I'll keep doing some in "portrait".
Do you find that we spend way too much time wanting someone else's gift instead of exercising our own? I used to lament my lack of thoughtfulness, lack of culinary skills, lack of a lot of things until God taught me to embrace what He has given me. It really is quite freeing. I have come to the conclusion Ms. P31 is everywoman..A combination of all our strengths..Kind of like the body of Christ.
Your garden sounds Divine. You'd better post pics! :))
I have to second what Preacher's Wife said so many times we spending too much time wanting what we don't have. How I wish I could sing, but it is not a gift God gave me. But if everyone had the gift to sing, there would be no one to listen and appreciate the music =)
But I have my shovel and I am ready to dig in!!
This analogy could go on and on! The fruit we produce as the body of Christ is so sweet if we all do our own part and allow others to do theirs. Beautifully told story, Darlene.
You are right, Darlene. God gives us all different gifts--one 'digs', others 'water', yet others reap...but we all work in the same garden-His garden.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom, my dear friend.
I am afraid that too often I have been left standing with "pink in my soil stained cheeks". I am learning to accept my strengths and the giftings that the Lord has placed within me and no longer wish I was like someone else.
Yes, we do! I've got my shovel ready - but be prepared for a tantrum or two. I am human, AND a woman, after all. :)
Post a Comment
Links to this post: << Home
__________________________________________
|
The Internet Cafe is the team blog for Christian Women Online Magazine, "your daily dose of inspiration." It's a place to kick back, grab a virtual chair at our table, and allow God to fill your cup to running over. It's addictive, but only He can satisfy the craving of your soul.  Copy this code to link your site to The Internet Cafe
 ______________ 
______________
 Christian Women Online Blog Ring Join | List | Random ______________
_________________
|
CWO Cover
Bonnie Hooley
