Gardening

 I love seeing the beautiful gardens all around in the summer. The mums are out now, gracing many yards. I have worked in my yard and planted flowers many times. The yard looks pretty good, but nothing like  a few people I know that have incredibly beautiful yards. They have annuals, and perrienials lining their  walkways, butterfly bushes, and all kinds of wild flowers, some even have set areas of beauty on their patios.

  I, on the other hand, have had  some pretty flowers, but more weeds than I can count.  Poison ivy comes up  faithfully every year, and... weeds that show up all over the place. I have a yearly stint at Urgent Care  to get some predisone, once again,to bring my bout with      poison ivy to a halt.

  I do not have a green thumb. I sure wish I did. But its just not part of my DNA. Its not natural for me to even remember to water my plants.  Lord help the flowers in my front yard that I do not see unless I am driving out of my driveway to go on an errand.  

    Now, I am not completely hopeless in all areas, in fact, I am pretty good with  people, and  animals, my husband is pretty happy, and  my dogs and chickens are definitely spoiled to the extreme, but my flowers and plants, are practically on their own. So, to have success in the gardening department, I had to take stock of what is the problem? I prayed, and I believe I realized after that, that gardening is a full time job, and INTENTIONAL changes had to be made. To start, I needed to be reading up on each kind of flower  I wanted to plant and how much water is needed, sun or shade, what type of soil etc. So I needed alot of education. The hard fact was,😕 I wanted to  have a beautiful yard, but I didn't want to do my homework. I COULD be a great gardener IF I wanted to put in the time and research needed to do so. So, I did change  some  things, a little at a time. I did do my homework in the gardening department. The  looks of my yard are improving, little by little.  I do  simple things  like water my plants, and  get good fertilizer and good soil for them to grow in. AND  I keep a reminder on my frig, WATER PLANTS (in front of house too)  Lol 😊

 Now, I said all that to say this.  This morning I read in Mark Chapter 4 :3 The Parable of the Sower. It is a parable I have read many times. And I always want to be that Good Soil that Jesus talked about there. 

Years ago, when I didn't know anything about Jesus, or the Bible. I was told it was important that I learn about God and His ways and grow as a believer.  How to do that was also shown to me by my close friend and mentor, Carol. She took the time to show me a few ways that would help me  in becoming a growing christian.

 Bible reading and studying was that essential change that I needed to make. I needed to take the time to read my Bible, pray for understanding and let it transform my thinking, and my outlook on pretty much everything. Over the years it has been able to continue to do that.

I guess the question I have asked myself is, do I really want to grow, and be transformed into a person that God can use for His glory? Do I want to do what is essential to grow? Or do I think that I can wing it in this life? Well, years ago, I did discover, just like in my yard, I needed all the help I could get to live this life to the fullest. To have a life that I was meant to have, from the Lifegiver. He has all the answers I need.

Essentials for  life:

Weeding:  There are many "weeds" that show up without invitation. 

Alot of times,, I can't tell if this "plant" is a weed, or a flower; some weeds are actually pretty, but they choke out the real flowers I am trying to grow..its the same thing with many of the worlds view on things, they sound good, seem to make good sense,and seem absolutely right, but they are  humanistic perspectives, untrue, and hopeless idealogy. Those weeds have to be thrown away in order for the beautiful garden God is trying to plant in me to flourish

  Watering : Gods Word, it waters, feeds and cleanses my spirit, It is essential for me to grow. Just like a flower, it looks pretty sick, and wilted and eventually dies without the most essential ingrediant, frequent watering.

The benefits of reading and meditating of Gods Word is essential for all christians. And, not just once a week watering. It just won't do. We get watered  regardless, with something everyday. Either T,V.,  magazines,, newspapers, blogs, the internet, etc. etc. The influences are everywhere. And whether we believe them or not, they DO influence us, and our walk with the Lord. It is a discipline to do it, but it is most beneficial. 

Gods Word changes us. Transforms us. Grows us. It is essential to grow and experience life in a way that many never experience, due to not taking time to learn about Jesus and His ways. 

 The road to good soil and a beautiful spiritual garden, is spending time with the Ultimate Gardener, and His Word.

 " My people perish for lack of knowledge" Hosea 4:1

" Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12;2

" Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord and don't do what I say?" Luke 6:46

" Come to Me all you that are burdened and heavy laden and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28