No Garden Tender

A vision of what once was to become...it never really did.

Our plans were for rows and rows of Roma tomatoes...

they would be plentiful and fill up our kitchen with the aroma of homemade sauce. 

We would have an endless supply in our pantry for the Italian dinners we have frequently

 when family gathers.

We also envisioned many eggplants, red potatoes and watermelons in abundance.

Starting off like gangbusters we worked feverishly in the field, in 95 degree weather

 (thanks to a rather late start in the season)

and the ‘garden’ quickly sapped our strength, our resources...

 and took its toll in the months to come.

Amateurs!

We had no idea what we were getting into.

After the ‘diagnose’ the garden was put on the back burner

and it quickly succumbed to weeds, disgusting bugs and the like. 

We did get a few delicious watermelons, I must say, they were very sweet and shared with family.

The tomatoes ended up with ‘blossom end rot’ and a few other horrific local names

...due to neglect.

Alas...it was not to be this year...

there was no garden tender.

It occurred to me that the garden of my heart has been undergoing

a major overhaul. 

 Jesus had laid His foundation of fertile soil (His Holy Word)

 and beautiful things have been steadily growing. 

But with the flowers and fruited vines came the weeds,

unvalued plants with a vigorous tenacity for growth. 

Some have been seized by doctors and have been poisoned by vital pesticides causing some good vegetation loss as well in my heart.

When a tragic heartbreak, such as Cancer, comes into one’s garden

...all hands are on deck.

And all of a sudden somebody is ringing the warning bell...and it’s like....

”Oh my Gosh....There’s a SNAKE IN MY BOOT!”

Determined to have a better garden, my Jesus has been invited back

 more often

...much more often...as my garden keeper.

He has pointed out other weeds of my own making and has shown me how to get rid of them.

 He has pruned and watered and has placed my garden back in order.

I am more attentive and aware of the importance of Him

 being my ever watchful garden tender

...guarding my heart;

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life”

Proverbs 4:23

He is always showing me, in some way or another,

the importance of staying near Him

and holding on to Him

 in every aspect of my life.

I am grateful that he takes the time to show me and correct me,

however painful or humiliating the lesson can be... He loves me.

“I come to the garden alone

While the dew is still on the roses

And the voice I hear falling on my ear

The Son of God discloses

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known”

~ In The Garden – Charles Austin ~

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me, and know my anxieties;

And see if there is any wicked way in me,

And lead me in the way everlasting". Psalm 139:23-24