Spring Gardening

It's spring in Michigan! Our normal windy March and rainy April didn't happen this year. But May is making up for the lack. Now and then, interspersed between the windy/rainy days, the sun peaks out and warms the ground, coaxing buds to blossom and lilacs to bloom. With clingy fingers, reluctant winter gives way to the inevitable. Those who've hunkered down indoors throughout Michigan's snowy beauty begin to venture forth, take leisurely walks, and enjoy the breath of spring. Seems everyone likes a Michigan spring.

The only complaints I've heard this year have to do with the rain delaying the planting of gardens and sprucing up the landscape. A number of friends plan to break ground for a garden; flowers, fruit trees, strawberries, tomatoes, onions, herbs, melons, and vegetables they've never tried to grow before. Some are opting for container gardens while others are devoting more space than ever before. All this waits on the promise of sunshine and frost-free days.

One friend has even braved the rain to get a head start on what can only be described as the most ambitious garden I've ever seen in a suburban lot. But then her garden is always something to see and to enjoy, for she is a master gardener. Her diligence is already evident. It's obvious when you drive up to her door, she's got everything under control - fruit, vegetables, shrubs, ground cover, wildflowers - you name it, it seems eager to thrive under her tutelage. Somehow, when visiting my friend on a summer evening, I can sense the presence of God in a special way in her garden.

Another friend is into flowers. Spring flowers come and go in waves; first the crocus and snowflowers, then daffodils, with tulips close behind. Pansies skirt their stems. She's planted impatiens among the pansies, knowing the pansies will be overtaken. A sacrifice, yes, but she's very fond of imaptiens. Iris flank to the right and left of all this color and they'll bloom all summer. Her house stands out in the neighborhood - evidence of her forethought and planning - and of the Creator of all things bright and beautiful.

Got to thinking about all this. Gardening is not easy. Muscles ache, knees and hands get dirty, shoveling and raking are back-breaking tasks. Pulling weeds is unpleasant but essential and fertilizing is a smelly job. Yet the satifaction I see on my friends' faces when they sit out in their garden, or cook up some tasty dish from their own fresh produce, lets me know they find the results well worth all the effort. I believe God smiles on gardeners and their endeavors to work with His creative genius.

One of my mom's friends, Anna, was also a master gardener. She lived on a little over an acre of ground and had a sizeable garden. As summer progressed, mom frequently brought home baskets of produce grown by Anna. Mom marvelled at her success and asked her how it was that she rarely saw weeds among the plants. Anna confided early each spring, before planting, she went out and sifted through the ground filtering out the weed seeds. As a result, her garden was a showplace with an abundance of good things to share with others. Anna's kindness and generosity came out of a willing heart and a love for God.

I've also posted a poem in conjunction with this little piece - hope it's a blessing to you!

[Note: See the next post above.]

~ mjkinnee