Proof of Faith: Our Real Reason for Gardening

It is that time of year again here in New England - spring has finally arrived!

The warmer days have begun to appear more often, bringing with them our emergence into the fresh air - and our annual garden preparations.

Some of our seeds have been started in the office under grow lights, and we took advantage of the fresh air Saturday to replace the fence and netting in an attempt to keep out the deer/rabbits/groundhogs/whatever other animal decides to feast in our yard this year.

Perhaps we are learning that slowly preparing for the time when the temperatures stay consistent enough to move all of the plants outside, is better than having a single back-breaking weekend to get started!

Some years are a success. Some years the animals channel their inner-Houdini and eat everything no matter what I try. Some years the tomato plants take over everything. Some years we are barely home to give the gardens the TLC that they need. 

But the honest truth of it all - I am not really a great gardener. 
I try - I definitely give it a valiant effort each year.  But a natural green-thumb, I am not!

For me, for us, our gardens aren't necessarily about total yield or success.

I like to imagine someday it will be, but so far, my gardens have been more about a proof of faith rather than producing all of our veggies.

I painted that sign in 2023 (admittedly no expert painter either...) when I didn't just want to grow veggies, I needed to WITNESS something growing.

I needed to watch something start as a seed and evolve into something bigger, stronger, beautiful and life-giving.

I needed to garden because I needed a reminder that what exists today is growing into a beautiful tomorrow.

I needed to believe that like that little seed, I could change and grow my own reality into something new and beautiful and fulfilling.

I needed to garden because I needed a physical reminder that faith exists.

That even through the dark soil, even when we can't see what is taking place, even if we forget to water it a day here-and-there, even if they are eaten by animals instead of us, life is still in bloom.

MY life is still in bloom.

Maybe in a phase where I can't see the "end product" but magic and growth is still happening beneath the surface.

If the heaviness of your winter - whether that is actually, truly winter - or a broader meaning of winter such as loss, grief, an aching heart, an unknown future, is weighing you down right now...

Go to the store, buy some dirt, a little pot, a few seeds, and let your mini garden become more than just a garden.

Don't worry about being a master gardener. You aren't looking to be featured in a Home & Gardens magazine.

Let your little seed be your own proof of faith.

Faith in the cycle of life, the ability to start fresh and above all - that you are still growing.

Happy Blooming!


​
  

I WANTED MY CHILDREN TO BELIEVE IN PLANTING SEEDS