There’s something profoundly spiritual about growing your own food.
This past weekend, I was struck by the gardening bug. My hubby and I, (mostly him), built raised beds last year, so I knew we would replant, but I hadn’t really been motivated yet. Plus, I was waiting to be sure that our cold winter was at last gone for good.
A visit to my parents’ house over spring break was especially motivating. My daddy had planted okra, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, onions and squash. He even grew a few things from seed. He had also planted an apple tree and a peach tree. Looks like retirement has brought out his inner farmer. He showed off his new plantings like a proud new papa.
I have to say that I completely get it. There’s something profoundly spiritual about growing things, especially things we can eat. When I dig up dirt and add compost and fertilizer, I feel like I get to assist in the miracle of life. When I see earth worms in the soil, I say a little prayer of thanks. They have a job to do and their presence is good for my plants.
When I finally get to place the tiny plants in the prepared soil, I can see right away that I have accomplished something. What once seemed completely barren, is teeming with new growth. And the little green plants are just the beginning. The beauty of growing vegetables is that it takes very little time before the first blooms appear.
I love to go outside in the mornings with a cup of coffee and see what happened overnight. The growth is sometimes astounding. Sometimes, a bloom transforms into a tiny vegetable literally overnight. I feel like it’s a tiny miracle of sorts. I mean, I can’t make a tomato; can you?
Then, the amount of veggies that can come from one tiny plant, that was no more than a couple of inches tall, is also amazing, when you think about it.
Gardening, even very small-scale gardening, brings me closer to God. It reminds me of the miracle of life. It reminds me of the gift of food. It reminds me of His infinite abilities and blessings.
If you don’t normally grow veggies in the summer, I encourage you to at least try a patio tomato. It will grow easily in a pot on a porch or deck and it’s such a fast process to watch it go from tiny green plant to fruit. (I’m told that tomatoes are a fruit, which makes no sense to me.)
Once upon a time, when the vast majority of the people in our country grew their own food, we all knew that we had to rely on God to feed us. We knew we needed to depend on Him. I don’t think that reliance has changed even though we don’t readily recognize it anymore.
Gardening is just a beautiful reminder of His love and grace. Maybe it’s time to get growing.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂