The Garden
The garden had been left for a while, and it had overgrown.
The grass had dried and yellowed in the heat of summer, and weeds had come up. The ground was tired and desolate.
It had been this way for many weeks. I would see it from the window in the kitchen as I made coffee in the morning.
And then yesterday, a gardener came.
Every so often I would go out for a drink, or for something from the cupboard, and from the window there I would see him working.
At first he cut back the overgrowth. Across the land he went, up and down, chopping away the wild grass.
Later he dug. Pulling up the weeds, I guessed. Those stubborn roots that needed a little bit more to unearth.
When the afternoon came, I went out to make some tea. The garden had been laid utterly bare.
The sun was low in the sky, and I watched as the gardener tilled the earth. Up and down, up and down. The soil turned and broke under the hoe.
At the end of the day as the gardener got into his van and drove away, I looked at the freshly tilled soil. The earth was bare and broken, but it was ready. Ready for the grass that will be laid today. For the new garden being created.
I love it when God shows us things day to day that teaches us more about His work in our lives. It made me think of Jesus’ words to us of the sower and the good ground. That this sower went out to sow some seed and some of it fell on good ground and yielded a crop, “some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” Matt. 13:8.
But He also spoke of ground where the seed was not able to take. The stony ground where there was not much earth. The seed sprang up but when the sun came, it withered away because it had no root Matt.13:6.
And some fell amongst thorns. And the thorns sprang up and choked the seed Matt.13:7.
If the ground that Jesus speaks of is a parable about our hearts and about receiving the word of the Kingdom, then I so hope my heart can be like this good ground that Jesus speaks about.
As I watched the gardener from my window, I became aware that sometimes the earth needs some care and some tending before it is ready. Sometimes it needs the gentle touch of our Father in Heaven to pull up the roots of unforgiveness or selfishness or regret in our hearts; to clear away the stones that get in the way like anger or envy or pride. And then, as these roots are dislodged, and these stones lifted away, our hearts are laid bare before Him, the soil of our hearts ready to receive.
This morning the gardener has returned. He is preparing to plant his garden, and I suspect it is going to be something beautiful. Something unrecognisable from what was there before. A garden that will bring much blessing and joy to all who look upon it.
I loved this post B. I appreciate that you mentioned the needing for the “garden” (our hearts) to be prepped through forgiveness and healing in order for us to receive what God has to say about our lives. The pain from our pre-saved lives is usually so deeply rooted that getting us to a place of being able to fully trust God with our lives, circumstances, relationships etc. takes time, patience, grace, and unconditional love. Praise God we serve a God with all these qualities and more! Love you XO
The parable of the sower was one of my favourites as a child! I was reminded of Its sovereign truth again today, thanks ;)
I love this. Thank you. Rain had quoted from two/three writers about the tilling of the ground…the uprooting of what may have looked beautiful for another work…for new growth. It really struck me. This has done the same.
He is a brutally brilliant husbandman. Leaving Him to do the work is the hardest part, unless we catch a glimpse of His vision…Christlikeness.
Thanks, Birgit!
Gardens are so beautiful and can bring such joy to our lives, we often forget the work and maintenance that goes into creating that beauty. They didn’t just get that way by themselves! I’ll do well to remember that ;) Thanks Birgit :)
I feel like I could use a good hacking up by a hoe this morning! :) I woke up in a very bad mood. Ugg, better go pray some more…
Thanks so much for your thoughts here G. It’s so true what you say about the hurt from our pre-saved lives and the patience, compassion, and care with which God deals with us as He brings us to a place of trust in Him, and freedom in Him. Love you G, will email you soon xo
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That’s so great Des. It’s such a powerful parable I find. I really want my heart to be like the good soil :) Lots of love.
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Oh wow, Michelle, I’d like to go back and read Rain’s writing on this. That point really gets you thinking that even though the garden may look beautiful, God may have something else in mind which causes Him to cut back and uproot and refine it in different ways. It’s such a good reminder to keep in mind that we are His, and He is constantly at work in us, from glory to glory (2 Cor.3:18) :) Love you, Michelle ox
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I really know what you mean, Rain. I walked by this garden today, the gardener has completed his work, and it’s just lovely! He has really transformed it with a picket fence and everything! :) It’s so true what you say, to keep in mind the work that has gone before. It helps me to rest in God as I think about that. Lots of love my friend xo
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You poor thing Tawny! :S I hope things get better for you :) – yeah, prayer really does help! Love and blessings to you!
What great imagery you paint with your words. And speaking of images, your header with the fallish colors is really nice.
You’re very observant @ngie, and also very perceptive! That’s exactly why I chose the header, to try and fit in with fall/autumn :)