My garden is growing, new seeds are sprouting, and my rose bush bloomed for the first time this year! I'm thrilled beyond words (well, almost beyond words . . . since I'm taking the time to type this so my husband doesn't have to put up with me dancing around the house chanting, "My rose has bloomed!" over and over like a 5 year old on her birthday).
There is something intoxicatingly wondrous about new life. We prepared the soil, planted little sprouts, seeds, and seedlings with careful hands, and breathlessly waited for a sign of green. This year, it's working. Some TLC mixed with sunshine and God's touch has brought dry little seeds to verdant life. In a funny way, I feel like a new mama again with all my little plant babies that need to be nourished and guided in their early weeks of life.
Last year, we began our garden too late, cut some corners, and probably didn't water enough. Our garden returned the favor by offering a measly few peas and beans, a handful of tomatoes, one cucumber, three heads of lettuce, and a couple peppers. Then, the deer decided to help themselves to about 1/3 of what did actually grow. Not to be deterred (especially after watching my in-laws' garden become the Jurassic Park of vegetable smorgasbords), we resolved to be diligent this year and try again.
Because I have a tendency to infuse every little thing in my life with meaning, my little sprouts remind me of my larger life efforts to do good in this world. My individual actions, like those seeds, seem too small and too weak to really have much of an effect on anything. What good will one more load of laundry do today when I know 3 more await me? What good is it to read one more book to my son instead of sticking him in "the farm" (his farm-themed excersaucer) while I try to return phone calls? My actions, like my seeds, have a greater potential within them than I see at first glace. My seeds are full of life and can produce fruits to bless my family. My actions, if I am open to God's work in my life, can be opportunities for grace. That laundry serves my husband's peace of mind because he doesn't have to search in the morning for a clean undershirt. That book helps to develop my son's mind and serves to strengthen that loving bond between us. Every good choice helps me to build good habits of virtue.
This analogy is not new; Christ used it multiple times. But, I need to remind myself often that the seeds of Faith that He speaks of are not placed in my life just once, but daily. My choice to be both the receptive soil and the careful gardener are also daily choices.
What are ways that you re-focus yourself on the importance of the little things in your daily life?
1 comment:
First of all, Kelly, you are a fabulous writer. I love to hear how you "infuse" analogies into daily life. Second, I am in total agreement with you on not forgetting the little things in order to achieve something much greater. It's hard to remember that some days...but a good reminder every now and then does the trick.
A way to re-focus for me? A quiet moment in the morning, while my son naps...making to-do lists (and checking them twice)...speaking with my husband on our important duties as parents, etc. Reading blogs that talk about this subject ;^)
Beautiful. Have a great day Kelly! Your garden and rose looks beautiful!
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