Gardens of the heart
Gardens of the heart are a lot like those planted in the soil. Farmers know the dirt must be tilled and seeds sown. The work is hard. Rocks need to be removed and weeds pulled up. Gardens of the heart need similar preparation.
Assess the condition of our flesh-soil
Tilling our inner selves means taking an honest assessment of who we are in order to discover the condition of our soil. Is there a bitter root, likened to weeds, stunting our garden’s growth? Are we carrying a grudge or seeds of anger that need to be uprooted? Is there rocky ground preventing tender young shoots room to grow? Hardened hearts are like hard soil the trowel cannot penetrate. Nothing grows without first softening the dirt. When emotions are overwhelmed after a tragedy, continual abuse, discouragement, grief, unmet expectations, pity parties, lies we believe, alcoholism, drug addictions, and any other experience that dumps a sense of hopelessness upon us. To protect ourselves we grow hard dry temperaments. The very opposite of good garden soil a crop can thrive in.
We’ve got to sow in good, nourishing soil to produce a plentiful crop
Imagine what would happen if we treated our bodies with the same tender care we’d give the garden beds. I know Spring inspires my daughter to get her raised beds ready and her seeds ordered. Lots of time, energy, and sweat goes into her gardening and composting. But come harvest time there’s kale, lettuces, onions, carrots,and scrumptious strawberries. Fresh peas, several varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers, and so much more to make a mouth water.
Gardening is an activity the whole family can participate in
The popularity of home gardens is on the rise as are community-based pieces of ground where people without yards can still grow their own fresh produce. If you have children, it’s fun to give boys and girls a row that belongs to “them.” Growing fruits and veggies teaches children where their food comes from. They learn groceries don’t magically appear on the grocer’s shelves and gain work ethic skills, too. From seed to harvest, a well-tended garden blesses the whole family. What a great way to have quality food and save on the grocery bill!
Gardening the heart is a similar concept
A family can nurture heart growth by planting seeds of kindness, using grace-filled speech, doing acts of love and good deeds for one another. Setting an example of forgiving over retaliating when wronged. Choosing to do good to those who cause harm. All are great ways to till a heart’s soil and lay down good seed for generations to come. We are all born selfish. An unselfish heart is a learned trait; one that will soothe our own spirits and nourish others. Will we do our best to tend our heart gardens? God desires us to yield bountiful crops. When we do, He promises a harvest of blessings will follow.
