Gardening with God
My love for gardening began when I was a young child. Mama and Daddy enjoyed planting seeds and plants and watching the growth of each one. Vegetables, fruits, and flowers adorned our front, back, and side yards. If there was an empty spot, my parents would find something to grow. Each planting allowed us to share time and enjoy gardening with God.
As a child, there were some days I played outside from morning until evening in the summer. No shoes, just bare feet in the grass. A few bumblebee stings brought pain and tears, but I continued to go barefoot. Every day, around lunchtime, I would head back home to rest in the air conditioning and eat yummy food. In the evening, my tummy grumbles alerted me of dinner time.
At each meal during spring, summer, autumn, and winter, there were fresh selections poured into bowls of various sizes and shapes. Collard greens, yellow squash, white potatoes, red tomatoes, green cucumbers, banana pepper strips, onions, and much more adorned our plates. Daddy made a jar of sweet tea every morning.
Those meals with my parents brought conversations about daily events, plans for the week, and discussions about the garden. “Should we get some more snap beans? When should we plant the turnip greens? Do you like big tomatoes or little cherry tomatoes?”
The meals began by sharing a prayer of thanksgiving. We did not pray every time, but we knew who provided the blessing of homegrown food. Mama, Daddy, and I were happy to be together and to feast on food that grew in our garden.
With each hole dug in the dirt, each seed or plant inserted into the soil, we were sharing time with God. The fresh dirt has a scent like no other. Earthworms sometimes climbed back under the dirt as we positioned the new seeds or plants. These moments together with my parents brought me happiness and peace.
Today, when I plant something into the dirt, I thank God for His provisions. Hummingbirds enjoy visiting the feeder, but they also love to drink nectar from the petunias and snapdragon flowers. Red roses and purple plumbago fill the flowerbed that my husband and I have created.
I thank God for the beauty He gives us to explore and enjoy. Do you like to garden? What plants are your favorites?
“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalms 118:24 KJV)
In His Name,
Melissa Henderson
I never learned anything about gardening until I was a married adult. Since that time, it’s really just about flowers and plants, which I love to plant and care for. Food is a different thing. I have family and friends who garden both flowers and fruits and vegetables, they have fresh food to table most days in the summer. Thankful for God’s provision.
I truly enjoy gardening. We’ve had large gardens, window box gardens, and now pots in the yard gardening. 🙂 God provides. Amen. Have a blessed week!
What fun you must’ve had growing up and now gardening with your husband. Plants and flowers are amazing creations. We have much growing in our yard, some of which are edible. The taste of fresh vegetables is great, isn’t it? Thank you for sharing your joy with us.
Thank you Stephen. Gardening brings such great memories. I’m thankful to share the love of gardening with our grandchildren, too. Have a blessed week! 🙂
I love seeing beautiful gardens and wish I had more knowledge about plants. In the heat here, it is hard to keep things thriving. But, this year, we added more native, drought resistant plants to our yard so hopefully it will do better. And I planted some tomatoes and cucumbers. Thanks for sharing about the joy of being in God’s creation
I love seeing beautiful gardens, too. Alan and I learned about plants that are native to South Carolina. We knew about Virginia plants. 🙂 God blesses His creations. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂
Melissa, I love the beautiful flowers and plants God has made. He provides nourishment and joy through the earth. Thank you for sharing these sweet memories of your childhood. Reminds me of my childhood days, as well. God bless you and your family!
Thank you Melissa. I’m glad the message reminded you of sweet memories of your childhood days. God is good. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂
Dear Melissa,
Thank you for sharing your intriguing story, “Gardening with God.”
What a wonderful upbringing for you to have been immersed in gardening with your family, and what fond memories it has created for you!
Those special moments from childhood remain in our hearts and minds, influencing our lives in such beautiful ways.
I remember helping my parents schuck corn on humid Virginia summer days when I was young. We had a half-acre yard with plenty of space for a large garden. I remember helping bring in baskets of fresh vegetables and the sweet scent of tomatoes.
Our family had little money in those days, so my mother was frugal. She used fresh produce to make healthy meals and did not waste food.
I am now retired, but I thoroughly enjoy learning about gardening from my Master Gardener husband, who tends to many raised gardens. I have recently delved into planting my first medicinal herbs.
Thank you for sharing your gardening experiences. What a blessing it is that the good Lord has provided the resources for us to grow the plants and vegetables He created!
God’s Blessing to you!