Planting In the Garden of Life by A.P.

God met me today!

Two months ago, when it was time to begin planting seeds for the garden, I was so very hesitant.

I have gardened for many years.

It was very clear to me that, by starting those seeds, I was choosing a specific path. I was committing to showing up continuously for many months to reach and preserve the harvest.

We have a huge garden space. I was carefully counting the cost in time, effort, and commitment.

It was something I spent a lot of time pondering and praying for whether or not that was the path to take this summer.

Through that process, I realized several things.

Because of the abundance of last year’s garden, not only was there more than enough good food to feed my family.

Even more, I was able to take many boxes and bags of amazing, organic produce to share with others.

It satisfied something deep within me.

I found that I really LOVE being able to share this gift with others.

If I choose not to grow the garden this year, who might go hungry? Whom could I have fed?

The garden space we have has taken years to build to what it is today.

If I choose to not grow food in that space or maintain it, it will just return to what it was before. Full of grass and weeds.

The thought of that made me heartsick.

This garden–and what I have within me to grow food–is a gift from God.

If I let that go, what then? How could I fail to steward that gift?

So I decided to start the seeds.

As they have grown, I have noticed that they weren’t as vigorous as usual. There would be a few dead seedlings here or there.

I easily forgot to check them or water or adjust the heat or airflow on them.

Today I went to see how things were doing and was quite alarmed to see the condition of those plants!!

Many were dead. Many more looked sick and weak.

The situation was urgent!

They needed new soil and new pots right now!

I began to gather the supplies, feeling a bit frantic and behind.

Everything else needed to be put on hold for these seedlings.

I told everyone around me I needed help.

I was very thankful my sister came to help me out.

It was clear also that I

needed to take the extra step to sterilize all the pots and trays.

That’s in case there was some pathogen carried over from last year that could be causing the issues.

I sat down with a tray of sick plants in front of me and began the tedious process of repotting extremely tiny droopy plants.

At first, all I could see was sick, wilted plants.

How did we get here to this point?

Then it dawned on me: even though I moved forward with planting, my heart was still on the fence. I was not whole hearted in the growing process.

This caused me to cut corners and not pay attention, to miss the signs early on and not respond.

It is TIME to get off the fence. Either be all in or all out. I repented of being wishy-washy.

At first all I could see was sick plants and wondered if I should just cull them all and start over.

Then I heard God’s still, small voice:

"Where else are you going to learn to hear My Voice and do it but in all the aspects of your life? Your children, husband, garden, animals, household chores. Hear My voice and do what I say."

The sickness on the plants was an attack of the enemy.

I have exactly the same authority to rebuke it as when my husband was getting attacked earlier this year.

I have exactly the same authority to rebuke it as when my husband was getting attacked earlier this year. I prayed and saw God heal him miraculously.

So, I rebuked the unhealth off those plants in Jesus’ name, and began to proclaim God’s will to give me healthy, vibrant, growth and harvest.

By the time they were all in their new pots with new soil, my perspective had changed. I chose to see them with new life, as healthy seedlings, ready to burst forth in growth.

And I am so thankful to have had my sister here to confirm it and help! 💕