Planting and Digging and Tugging and...

Talk of the new garden in our backyard, got all of the kids excited. In fact, the minute I parked the car, they ran to the back yard so they could get involved. You should have seen my kids in the garden, it honestly was the most precious thing I've experienced in ages--maybe ever.

So, we got to digging the garden that I had started earlier--each one of them helping out. It's adorable to see them pitch in because they are excited that we're creating something new--something beautiful for our home! We took turns using the shovel, the spade, the fork, and the garden gloves. Little muscles tugged on sod, grunting, and puffing all the while. Six-foot-tall Brendan came out and made the job easier for us until either his back was too sore or the kitchen was calling his name.

I see so much love going into this garden, and I know that I'll cherish it for as long as I live. Right now we're only preparing the soil, but they've already asked if they can be in charge of planting, watering, weeding or digging--too cute!

About an hour into the project, I could tell that Maddy was a bit annoyed. Being the girl with the passion for plants, she wants to do it all. She didn't like the fact that her little brother was stronger and had more schutzpa when it came to pulling up sod. Nor did she like the fact that her older brother was a better digger than all of us put together.

The last straw came when Graham said, "Mom, I want to water this garden every night, okay?" I could tell it was the "last straw" because she threw down the shovel as the the color rose in her soil-stained cheeks.

I guess you probably know the lesson that little girl needed to learn. It's the same lesson we all need to hear every once in a while as we're planting this garden of love for our Father: "he that planteth and he that watereth are one."


Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same
Spirit. And there are differences of administrations,
but the same Lord. And there are diversities of
operations, but it is the same God which worketh
all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is
given to every man to profit withal.
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom;
to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of
healing by the same Spirit; To another the working
of miracles; to another prophecy; to another
discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds
of tongues; to another the interpretation of
tongues: But all these worketh that one and the
selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man
severally as he will.
~ 1 Corinthians 12:5-11


Just this week, my friend leaned on the fence, looked at the soil and said, "They say that you're closest to God when you're out in the garden."

Hmmm...you know what? Metiphorically speaking, that just might be true, but the question is are we in there working with our brothers and sisters, giving it all that we've got, or do we throw down the shovel to let the color rise in our soil-stained cheeks?

Drawn from my archives.

You are loved by an almighty God,

Darlene

For comments or questions, contact me at:
darlene[at]darleneschacht.net

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