Sitting is not Gardening
Chores matter.
So, do the decisions to do them.
If “Today is not a dress rehearsal for tomorrow,” let me make a good decision to use my time wisely in my autumn’s garden.
A true truth, and good advice . . . but what does that mean in an autumn’s garden? Perhaps editing the chore chart, and
Keep on working the soil, weeding, watering, and planting!
Working the Soil
One thing about writing – journaling – or blogging, it is as digging through my thoughts, like I did through soil. Most of it is fallow and needs enriching; especially when I compare them to Scripture.
- Do I spend time trying to manage what is not mine to mine?
- Have I let too many worry birds build a nest in my brain?
- Has depression overtaken me?
- Am I cantankerous, or contented?
Timely Tools
Providentially two fellow bloggers gave me plows to break up the hardened soil:
- Retreat with the Lord– Such a helpful way to get into, or back into, consistent Bible study, and renewing my daily hope!
- Grief Doesn’t Play Fair– A cup of cold water, delightful and needful, in an autumn’s garden where disappointment blinds me to delight.
Weeding
Yesterday the sermon was on Psalm 32, and David’s relief and renewed purpose when he got honest about the stuff that he’d hoped he’d hidden from God. The sermon was a timely reminder that if weeds in my flowerbeds are real; they will overtake if I let them, So, too, ignoring what God shows me is wrong, is jackassy. (Another reason to go to church: learn new words!)
Watering
Much as watering connotes lavishing fresh water on thirsty plants, these past few weeks have also shown me that the soil of my heart could use some tears:
of sorrow for what I done, and not done;
of joy, counting so many blessings – from all that I have, to all from which He has preserved, me.
Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don’t unravel. ~Author Unknown
Planting
It’s never too late to add color and life to an autumn’s garden –How about these chores? Read, paint, write, rejoice . . . and maybe try a few actual chores before the purple vetch takes over, remembering that
[Gardening] Decisions become easier when your will to please God outweighs your will to please the world. ~Anso Coetzer
It’s Hard to paint the Sunshine I saw