Thursday, September 24, 2009
Praying for the Soil
Praying for the soil? You might think this sounds absurd or even a bit archaic. After all, this is the age where everyone buys their food in a package from the grocery store; she doesn't grow it herself. So, you might find it puzzling that I pray for the dirt in my backyard, but it's just a part of my love for gardening. For me, it's therapeutic and relaxing. I even love watering the browning edges of the grass when I'm lucky enough to capture a rainbow hiding in the edge of the water's curve.
So, back to the dirt thing. I have asked God to bless my soil before I plant about four to six grape vines along with five to ten more fruit trees and about twenty to thirty rose bushes. While I know that science plays a huge role in the well-being of my gardens, I also believe that God honors my prayers. Several months ago, I covered my apple, pear, apricot, lemon, and mandarin orange trees in prayer. The result was that God blessed my trees through this dry summer season. Even as one tree evidenced signs of death, I covered it in prayer and it bounced back into play.
As I pray for the dirt, it reminds me of how I'm asking God to prepare the ground for what's to come. Just like when I prayed for each of our three kids before they were born, I have also prayed for the soil for my gardens over the years. Once the plants and trees are placed in the ground for my newest garden, I will tend and care for them. Over time, the right conditions will allow them to blossom and to bloom. But it will also take lots of sweaty commitment and dirty fingernails as well.
This is what happens with our kids too. We pray for them before they're even conceived and then once they're born, we continue to cover them with prayer, love, and service. We feed them, nurture them, protect them, and teach them. Just like our garden, they too need the proper conditions to blossom: patience, love, and forgiveness. Just as we prune back our bushes, trees, and vines, we also guide our kids' paths with loving discipline. We pull them away from detrimental influences and require obedience for their safety. As we train our kids to make good choices while they are young, we prepare them to thrive once they are out on their own as mature adults.
I'm certain that gardening is easier than parenthood; however, a rose never hugs me back and a fruit tree never laughs at one of my silly jokes. Both give me joy but my kids give me the most fulfillment. As I see the sparkle in their eyes when they learn something new, I'm energized and encouraged. When one of my kids chooses the right thing over the easy one, I'm incredibly proud of him or her. Raising kids is exhausting even on a good day, but it is certainly rewarding. We have to wait for our trees to bear fruit and similarly must hang in there as we wait for our kids to flourish in beauty as well.
So, back to the dirt thing. I have asked God to bless my soil before I plant about four to six grape vines along with five to ten more fruit trees and about twenty to thirty rose bushes. While I know that science plays a huge role in the well-being of my gardens, I also believe that God honors my prayers. Several months ago, I covered my apple, pear, apricot, lemon, and mandarin orange trees in prayer. The result was that God blessed my trees through this dry summer season. Even as one tree evidenced signs of death, I covered it in prayer and it bounced back into play.
As I pray for the dirt, it reminds me of how I'm asking God to prepare the ground for what's to come. Just like when I prayed for each of our three kids before they were born, I have also prayed for the soil for my gardens over the years. Once the plants and trees are placed in the ground for my newest garden, I will tend and care for them. Over time, the right conditions will allow them to blossom and to bloom. But it will also take lots of sweaty commitment and dirty fingernails as well.
This is what happens with our kids too. We pray for them before they're even conceived and then once they're born, we continue to cover them with prayer, love, and service. We feed them, nurture them, protect them, and teach them. Just like our garden, they too need the proper conditions to blossom: patience, love, and forgiveness. Just as we prune back our bushes, trees, and vines, we also guide our kids' paths with loving discipline. We pull them away from detrimental influences and require obedience for their safety. As we train our kids to make good choices while they are young, we prepare them to thrive once they are out on their own as mature adults.
I'm certain that gardening is easier than parenthood; however, a rose never hugs me back and a fruit tree never laughs at one of my silly jokes. Both give me joy but my kids give me the most fulfillment. As I see the sparkle in their eyes when they learn something new, I'm energized and encouraged. When one of my kids chooses the right thing over the easy one, I'm incredibly proud of him or her. Raising kids is exhausting even on a good day, but it is certainly rewarding. We have to wait for our trees to bear fruit and similarly must hang in there as we wait for our kids to flourish in beauty as well.
Labels: children, gardens, parents
