Joy in the Garden
Elizabeth MacDonald of Seaside, OR, USA
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” -Luke 6:36-38
I find great enjoyment, satisfaction, and peace working in my garden. Gardening is my favorite activity. I find myself working through life’s challenges while digging in the dirt, pruning the shrubs, harvesting the lettuce, and weeding. I learn a lot in my garden.
I choose to garden with as few chemicals as possible because I cherish God’s creatures like bees, butterflies, birds, dragonflies, garter snakes, frogs, not to mention dogs and cats. Therefore, I am blessed with a lot of weeds, which I choose to remove by hand.
A biology teacher told our class once that weeds were the natural inhabitants in our gardens; the plants we carefully place in the soil and tend for their flowers and food they produce are the weeds. I often ponder this interesting concept while weeding and try to appreciate the value of those natural inhabitants. I must confess it is rather hard to appreciate ones like thistle and dock weed. Yet I have observed a lot of important lessons in the weeds.
It fascinates me that many weeds grow alongside similar plants I have placed in the soil. I often cannot tell the difference between the plants until they are ready to bloom or are already blooming. I ask myself, how many persons am I ready to dismiss from my circle of concern because I think they might be “weeds”? Plants like dandelions have impressive roots. I often remove the same dandelion time after time. Have I developed a strong root system with my faith and servanthood? Dock weed, yellow bird’s foot, and wild violets all have roots that travel great distances and send up new plants from those root branches. Pulling up one plant, one discovers the root is attached to several others. I wonder if the roots of my faith reach into the lives of others to encourage a new life of faith.
I continue to be in awe of my garden and all God accomplishes there. He rewards me with beauty and bounty in what I have planted and speaks to me as I tend the weeds.
Prayer Phrase
Let gratitude show you the way (Doctrine and Covenants Section 165:2b).
Spiritual Practice
Gratitude
Gratitude is an important spiritual practice that invites us to see all of life as a gift. We give thanks for our breath, the food we eat, people we love, and all that we have that truly matters. We remember that we are connected and sustained by a web of relationships with creation, God, and other people. Take time each day this month to practice giving thanks and to consider-for what am I most grateful?
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
