Spring in Heaven

I wouldn't have thought that my nephew from Florida, where they enjoy greenery and tropical trees all year round, would be so excited about a simple vegetable garden here in Nebraska. After his first winter back up North, he has really been thrilled to work with the soil and witness the growth of tiny seeds and plants that he labored so hard to get started.

I think the seasonal changes we experience here make us appreciate the growth and colors of plants so much more. The harshness of winter weather only enhances the spring fever that captivates so many of us. Our salad with dinner tonight tasted so much better with the radishes that we grew ourselves in our very own yard.

Gardening seems to make us feel closer to God, because without His sunshine and rain, nothing would grow. We are partners with Him in a sense. But another reason I think people in general get so much more excited about gardens here in the North is that it follows a long period of cold, unpleasant weather and nature all around us wakes up and becomes green with life again.

It will be the same feeling when we get to heaven. We'll enjoy it all the more because of the hardships endured here on earth during our lifetimes. It will be like entering the most beautiful springtime, multiplied by infinity. I can't wait to wake up in the springtime of heaven and warm up to His love firsthand.

How High Are Your Tomatoes?

I was lamenting the fact that we didn't get our garden in sooner after seeing some of the harvested vegetables some of our friends are already enjoying. Isn't it a risk to plant before the last predicted frost date though? I guess some daring folks like to get a head start, and now I see the benefits of early-bird gardening. We could have started a month earlier too and already be having fresh, homegrown food on OUR table!

Then I also saw that some friends are just now getting their gardens in. Believe it or not, it's not too late to get in on the planting frenzy. I'm assuming they will have a bountiful harvest also, but will just have to wait longer for that first flavor-oozing morsel.

Whether you plant early or late, the final result is much the same. Although I have to admit that those early-birds are probably such conscientious gardeners that I'm sure they are guaranteed a premium crop. Besides, their garden won't have to battle the full heat of summer.

We are all gardeners when it comes to life actually. We are sowing character seeds every day that will bear fruit--for good or evil. The later you start sowing the good seeds, the harder you will have to battle the weeds and the heat. But it is possible to overcome those obstacles and still have a bountiful garden at any stage of your life.

The common question we are all asking this time of year:
How high are YOUR tomatoes?

Garden In

Today was garden planting day. My nephew didn't have to go to his job today, so guess what--it was the perfect day to be out there breaking up soil and getting the garden in. It was partly cloudy, in the 70s, with rain in the forecast tonight. Perfect time to get it done.

There are so many spiritual illustrations and real life applications when it comes to a garden, that I hardly know which one to pursue. Perhaps my nephew expressed it best though when he was all done planting and said, "Well, it's up to God now, Aunt Teresa." I think we all recognize that without God nothing good would be happening in our lives.

Our work, hard as it may be, is worthless without God's blessing. No vegetables are sweeter than those we've partnered with God to produce.

Flowers on Easter

I can't think of a better Easter activity than planting begonias in the backyard with your family. It was a great deal of fun, watching a three-year-old work with her mommy and daddy to get the six bulbs in the ground. I stood by with a camera to document the event.

Little sister missed out on the fun, as she opted out for a nap on the couch while they labored. But we will all join in the fun as we watch these bulbs grow and flower in the coming days and weeks.

I can see why God chose working with the land as one of the first occupations for mankind. It consists of God and man working side by side, and is full of miraculous births and rebirths of plant life. No wonder Jesus drew from nature so much in His parables. We can learn so much from all that God has created. But you don't have to be a farmer to reap these benefits. Growing a single houseplant can be just as satisfying. Try it and see.