More from Arlene Timber-Henry

It’s been two years since I wrote and submitted today’s meditation about my non-blooming lilies, and I have not seen a single flower since. Am I discouraged? Not in the least! I have learned enough about gardening over the years to know that many times, things in the plant world operate on a schedule all their own. My very first Upper Room devotion (accepted for publication over ten years ago) was about the unexpected surprises that can show up in the garden long after we’ve forgotten or given up on what we’ve planted and how that can be similar to difficult circumstances in our daily lives.

Many years ago, we also had a seemingly barren fruit tree in our yard that would put out leaves year after year, but no blossoms or buds signaled the arrival of anything edible. And just like the gardener in Luke’s gospel, against the prevailing advice, I took on the task of feeding and nurturing it. We were richly rewarded some time later with a few fruits just before we moved and relocated to a different area.

These kinds of experiences are what help to inspire and motivate me to continue my gardening efforts season after season in spite of the many losses and disappointments. This holds true not only in my literal, physical garden but also in the garden of my life—dealing with people of different persuasions and personalities, some of whom often behave more like weeds than cultivated vines!

Earlier this year I came across a gardening channel on YouTube that I absolutely fell in love with. Their planting conditions and challenges are very similar to mine, and I have been learning new strategies and techniques that I’ve already started implementing with some very encouraging results so far.

Gardening teaches patience, among other Christ-like qualities we are called to develop. I truly believe that is why there are so many garden-related stories in the Bible, beginning with what was supposed to be our forever home—Eden. God knew that our souls would sing as we walk among the flowers and trees, seeing them attract birds and beneficial insects that are also an integral part of a garden’s ecosystem. God knew that our faith would grow as we watch a simple seed push through fertile soil and become a beautiful plant or vegetable. So God gave us gardens in which to work and play.

Whether you’re a professional gardener or an avid amateur like me, at some point you must have come across the poem “God’s Garden” by Dorothy Frances Gurney. As I began to write this blog piece, the last part of the fourth stanza readily came to mind: “One is nearer God’s heart in a garden than anywhere else on earth.”

I pray that God will establish all the work of our hands—gardening or otherwise—and make us all fruitful, faithful stewards of God’s vineyard.