The Seeds We Grow

In a garden, field or any piece of ground, there are plants growing. Some of those plants were planted by someone, and some, what we call “volunteer”, planted themselves. Volunteer plants are not always bad, some are very good. Currently I have volunteer blackberry bushes growing in the woods next to my house and I look forward to a crop of berries later this summer! Other volunteer plants are bad, like thistles. Even though we didn’t plant them, they are still there and we can decide whether they stay there or not, but we have to actively do something about it. They won’t leave on their own, and left unchecked can take over, crowding out the good plants.

Battling Weeds

Last year, I battled a forest of thistles on our property. I wrote about the experience and how similar our spiritual lives are to gardens. Well, last week I waged war with the thistles again. I was discouraged at how many came back, even though I had cut down and/or sprayed the entire area. Thistles are one of those weeds that you have to work on year after year before they go away. It is the same with sin.

Spiritual Gardening + An Announcement!

An Announcement!!!

Before I get to my weekly post, I would like to announce my next series…with all this talk about fruit, gardening and spiritual growth I think it pertinent to continue that theme and dig into the Fruit of the Spirit. We all produce fruit of some kind, and that fruit shows who we follow. The Fruit of the Spirit comes from a life absorbed in the Kingdom of God, but they are also things we should seek. We cannot be passive about growth. Tune in next week as I begin this study looking at how we can grow in Love. Like my facebook page or subscribe to my blog to receive them when they come out!

Spiritual Gardening

My kids love listening to the Secret Garden. And even though it is a children’s book, I enjoy it as well. The story of hope and transformation is so inspiring! I think there is a lot more depth to the story than it is often given. The concept of gardening, paired with growth and change, is both natural and profound. Jesus Himself used gardening and farming as frequent fodder for parables and teaching, partly because it was known and understood by the culture, but also I think because it is such a great picture of the spiritual life.