THE REALITY OF THE NAME OF GOD
8 months ago
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Goodbye Garden
I had planned to chronicle this year's garden in pictures and prose. I didn't. But, today, I picked the last of the butter beans and green beans; only enough for a meal; and thought of things I've learned.
One verse that kept coming to mind is 1 Corinthians 3:6 "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase." Now, I know that Paul is speaking of spiritual concepts here; but, somehow, experiencing this reality through the garden, has brought me greater understanding spiritually.
For instance, in 2006, we were still picking butter beans by the five gallon bucketfuls in November. In 2007, the green bean vines were so laden that it would take me 3 hours to pick two medium rows. Last year, 2008, two very small rows of cucumber vines produced exceedingly well. We had freshly sliced cucumbers every meal, every day. We canned approx. 140 pints of sour pickles and 7 gallons of dill pickles. We gave away approx. 5 or 6 five gallon bucketfuls to family and friends. Each of these years, the other crops produced fairly well and one stood out.
This year has been the strangest. Nothing really stood out, though every thing that produced tasted exceptional, as always! The cucumber vines were looking great, but one afternoon, following a heavy rain, the sun came out and burned them up; no cucumbers. The tomatoes didn't do really well. The green beans did best, I suppose; we had more of them to can. We really enjoyed the corn and okra that we had, and had plenty of a variety of peppers. The butter bean vines were as big and pretty and green as I have ever seen, but produced very little.
Each year, we did all we could do; but ultimately, God gave the increase. We did what we could do, and thankfully enjoyed the increase each year, whatever it was. We didn't become anxious or strive over it because we knew we couldn't make those plants grow or produce.
I can love people. I can pray for them; intercede for them. I can even provide wonderful teachings and music for them. But I can't change their hearts. Only God can change their hearts. So, there is no reason for me to be anxious..."Have faith in God." kdr
One verse that kept coming to mind is 1 Corinthians 3:6 "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase." Now, I know that Paul is speaking of spiritual concepts here; but, somehow, experiencing this reality through the garden, has brought me greater understanding spiritually.
For instance, in 2006, we were still picking butter beans by the five gallon bucketfuls in November. In 2007, the green bean vines were so laden that it would take me 3 hours to pick two medium rows. Last year, 2008, two very small rows of cucumber vines produced exceedingly well. We had freshly sliced cucumbers every meal, every day. We canned approx. 140 pints of sour pickles and 7 gallons of dill pickles. We gave away approx. 5 or 6 five gallon bucketfuls to family and friends. Each of these years, the other crops produced fairly well and one stood out.
This year has been the strangest. Nothing really stood out, though every thing that produced tasted exceptional, as always! The cucumber vines were looking great, but one afternoon, following a heavy rain, the sun came out and burned them up; no cucumbers. The tomatoes didn't do really well. The green beans did best, I suppose; we had more of them to can. We really enjoyed the corn and okra that we had, and had plenty of a variety of peppers. The butter bean vines were as big and pretty and green as I have ever seen, but produced very little.
Each year, we did all we could do; but ultimately, God gave the increase. We did what we could do, and thankfully enjoyed the increase each year, whatever it was. We didn't become anxious or strive over it because we knew we couldn't make those plants grow or produce.
I can love people. I can pray for them; intercede for them. I can even provide wonderful teachings and music for them. But I can't change their hearts. Only God can change their hearts. So, there is no reason for me to be anxious..."Have faith in God." kdr
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
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