Category: Gardening

  • a sweet fragrance

    While walking this afternoon, I spotted a lilac bush. At first I smelled something extremely sweet. What was that smell? I recognized the smell when I saw the delicately formed purplish blossoms and recalled my Mom’s lilac bushes. I walked across the street into the neighbor’s yard and put my nose right up to the flowers. I just love that smell! Sweet, aromatic — not too strong, but just the right amount of fragrance. I wanted to remain there and continue to drink in the sweet fragrance until I was saturated to capacity.

    In the second book of Corinthians, we are reminded that “we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” I wonder just how good I smell to others. Do my actions match my words? Do others desire to be around me and can’t get enough of my presence? Just how pleased is God with my innermost thoughts?

    “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?” — 2 Corinthians 2:15–16.

  • Rejoice!

    Daffodils
    Daffodils

    “The world seems sad mid winter’s gloom.

    But all’s well when the jonquils bloom.”

    This is so true. Winter (at least in the mid-west) can last forever. My spirits sag dramatically when the sun doesn’t shine for days. As soon as I glimpse the first crocus or yellow daffodil, hope springs forth!

    Jonquil stands for the word “desire.” Desire for new beginnings, fresh starts, and warm temperatures reign paramount. Whether it be a do-over with a sour relationship or a jump start to a neglected project such as organizing my office space — nothing is impossible if taken one baby step at a time.

    Dear God, thank you for creating seasons, newly budded plants and trees. They remind me that you never give up on your children and continue to love unconditionally. Thank you for the many blessings, both seen and unseen, that you’ve given me, my family and friends.

    Are you feeling blue and downcast today? You are not alone. Can you focus on one positive thing that happened in the last 24 hours and thank God for this?

    “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

  • The Language of Flowers review

    The Language of Flowers, by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

    This story shows the complexity and brokenness of human nature through the eyes of a young girl. Victoria was abandoned at birth by her mother. She never knew her mother or her father. Jerked from foster care to foster care, she understandably lacks stability, love and self-esteem.

    Year after year her insecurity and hesitancy to attach to any human being grows. Any human touch causes Victoria nausea and potential vomiting. Until she meets Elizabeth at age 10. Elizabeth is a vineyard owner and becomes her temporary guardian. This home is finally where Victoria begins to feel what real love might feel like.

    I realize the book is not categorized as inspirational/religious, but I saw unconditional love played out in the part of Elizabeth. Elizabeth told Victoria repeatedly that there was nothing she could do to cause her to give her up or to not love her. Victoria still tries the limits of this love on more than one occasion. Yet Elizabeth never withdraws her love or gives up on winning her back again. Just like God never gives up on us no matter how many times we mess up. He’s always willing to take us back under his wing of protection.

    Then came the fire, hospitalization for Victoria, and Elizabeth disappeared from Victoria’s life. Unfortunately, she’s left with no choice, so it’s back into the flawed foster child system where she stays until she becomes emancipated from a group home.

    A form of redemption came into Victoria’s life when she met Renata, owner of Bloom flower shop. Renata hires Victoria to work for her at the flower shop. Renata seems to understand Victoria’s complexity and need for her own space. Victoria begins to bloom and blossom as she creates arrangements according to the client’s needs — almost to a magical point. Client’s personal relationships improved according to the flowers Victoria’s arranged and delivered. Hence, the flower shop prospered and Victoria matures.

    The author goes into great detail about plants and flowers describing their unique meanings. I looked forward to learning, along with Victoria, the history and thinking behind each flower and grew to love flowers even more as I read the story. “The Victorian language of flowers was used to convey romantic expressions: honeysuckle for devotion, aster for patience, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it’s been more useful in communicating grief, mistrust, and solitude.”

    The main character, Victoria, deals with deep-rooted woundedness and unresolved self-esteem issues her entire life. She resists anyone who tries to get close to her emotionally or physically by acting out in uncivil ways. As a reader, I personally felt the pain of the underdog, the unwanted, unloved and pushed aside in society. I wanted to reach out and adopt Victoria myself!

    The Language of Flowers deals with complex human nature and social issues. I found the book to be very intriguing and swept me right along from start to finish.

  • My life’s an open book (re-visited)

    “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts,” (2 Corinthians 3:2–3).

                My very life is a letter that anyone can read (or not read) just by looking at me. Scary thought. To think that anyone can trace my actions and hear my words and judge me — well, that’s a whole lot of pressure. This fact causes me to ask myself if I am truly living as God would have me live and saying and doing what he desires of me. His mark on me is written on the tablet of my flesh, not on a tablet of stone.

    Prayer: Dear God, I confess that the mark I leave behind is not always pleasant, kind, or loving. Sometimes I leave a trail of strife and confusion—forgive me for those times. Help me to plant seeds of kindness, and tell others of the joy of my salvation. 

    Ask: What kind of mark are you leaving today? Will others be able to tell that you belong to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Do others see the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?

    ***

  • Persistent Dandelion

    One lonely dandelion braves the fall frost. Winter encroaches not far behind, yet a burst of yellow flower and green stem still stands tall. Colored leaves from nearby trees gently fall and nestle near the vibrant, persistent soldier. Most would think it’s time to give in and give up by now. After all, the weather will only turn icier and colder.  

    I think of circumstances in a writer’s life — rejections from editors and publishers; worse yet, no response at all. Wouldn’t it be easier just to call it quits? I could tell my family and friends that there must be a mistake … a disconnect and that I’m really not a writer after all. Then maybe the pressure and drive would disappear and I wouldn’t be concerned with more research, edits and critiques from my writers’ group.

    But I’m not convinced my drive and passion would evaporate. More than likely, miserableness might set in. Deep down, I know that character, persistence, and integrity come when I march on in spite of circumstances. I must keep putting words down on paper regardless of how I feel at the time or what someone thinks of me.

    Emulating that persistent dandelion will lead to published work, smiles from my colleagues and a “well done, good and faithful servant” from the God I write for and about.

    So, stand tall and shine bright — others are watching and some even cheer the writer on to a satisfying victory!  Press on toward the goal …

    “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  – Philippians 3:12-14

    ***

  • Watching tomatoes grow

    The growing process takes time. It takes energy and patience for a seedling to grow into lettuce leaves to eat or be able to bite into a tomato. Question is: am I willing to wait for germination? Willing to invest what it takes to get to the coveted harvest stage? I can’t forget to water, weed, fertilize, and prune. Otherwise, the crop tends to get out of hand and the fruit ends up less than desirable.

    Some days I’m not sure. There is sweat and sacrifice of time. Yet, when I do take the necessary precautions and commit to whatever it takes—the rewards are sweet!

    The growing process of vegetables and fruit can be likened to my growth as a Christian—a follower of Jesus Christ. Maturing and growing to be more like God is a process and does not happen overnight. I need to make a conscious effort to read the Bible, pray, and spend time with believers of like faith. Then, and only then, will I grow and become more pleasing to God.  

    Prayer:  Forgive me, God, for allowing other stuff (and people) to interfere in getting to know you better. Help me spend more time pleasing you rather than seeking the affection and attention of others.

    Ask: Is there something you can do to fertilize your life? Have you not been as faithful as you’d like in praying or reading God’s love letter?

    “So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience…”(Colossians 1:10-11).

    ***

  • God-blessings continued

    69)  Above 70 degree weather. Yay!

    70) Plucking fresh, succulent lettuce leaves from my deck garden

    71)  Sit with a friend who listens with her heart and speaks few words

    ***

  • New life

    The lettuce has sprung–with just a bit of care, look what came forth!  And to think these succulent sprouts started out as tiny seeds a few weeks ago.

    Steve and I tasted our first salad of the season made with this leafy variety.  I don’t think it was my imagination, but that salad was the BEST I’d sampled in a long time.

    Oh, do I love Spring and the harvest it brings!  What are you sampling in your garden this week?

    *** 

  • No weeds…yet

    As I look at the tiny shoots from upcoming lettuce and spinach seeds, I rejoice. The light green tips appear tiny and innocent, soft and succulent. No weeds around them—only pure, virgin soil. Yet, it won’t be long and insistent weeds will pop up disguising themselves as good. 

    How often does this happen in my own life? What seems harmless at first, a word here, a gesture there, and before I know it I’m in deeper than I’d ever thought possible. I never meant to hurt anyone with a harsh or suggestive word, yet it happened. Once an action is committed, I’m not able to take it back.

    Prayer: Help me to be more sensitive to other people’s feelings. I need to listen more and speak less. God, remind me to take time to pause and think through the ramifications of my actions.

    Ask:  Are there some words spoken you wish you hadn’t said or even thought? Maybe you participated in an action you weren’t proud of. Can you ask forgiveness and start fresh again today?

    *** 

  • Tending to the gardens in my life

    Tending to the garden.  It takes time and energy.  A few years ago I didn’t even plant a garden.  My excuse was that I live in a condo and there’s no room. But that’s all it was: an excuse.  Since then, I purchased a few large pots to set on the deck and two planters that fit snugly on top of my deck rail.  It works beautifully!  Just enough soil for veggies and herbs to suit our family.  There’s nothing quite like gathering a handful of fresh lettuce for a summer salad.

    I am learning that it still takes time to produce a good crop.  Just like it takes time and energy to produce a healthy heart and mind.  Weeds come in the garden of life and unless I get after them, they multiply and take over spaces where they don’t belong. 

    Prayer: Dear God, please forgive me for not tending to the garden of my heart. It’s so easy to see flaws in my neighbor and overlook neglect in my own mind and make excuses for ungodly actions.   

    Ask: Is there some weed in the garden of your heart? Maybe it’s a seed of bitterness or jealousy over what someone else has and you do not.  What can you do today to reduce or eliminate that pesky weed? 

    “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).

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