Since moving to Louisville about two weeks ago and
having a backyard, I have been covered in dirt and sweat almost everyday. I
have long felt that my grandfather's love of farming and working the earth was
an innate part of my being, instilled at birth.
Living in a condo without even a patio to have a potted garden made me, on my
best days, stare wistfully at nearby trees out the window. On the worst
days, I could be spotted prowling the aisles at Lowe's or Home Depot, daydreaming about a
future garden in another locale.
The day we got home with our plants and soil, the
sun was setting, but my enthusiasm bubbled over. I just had to start now! My
husband looked quizzically at my while I hauled plants across the yard and into
raised beds.
"Shouldn't you wait until morning?" he
asked.
"I know. I'm just so excited though. I want to
plan a few things tonight." And there I was--night gardening.
This leads me to two conclusions. First, I'm right
where I need to be and the energy and enthusiasm of my actions seem to concur.
Second, I must be getting old! Gardening after dark seems like a thrill!
In thinking about the last few weeks, I realize I
have learned several things since embarking upon the cultivation of our yard:
1) There is little else in life as satisfying as
working up a sweat, being covered in dirt, and seeing the fruits of your labor.
This is a satisfaction that will never come from sitting behind a desk. God's
vision for humanity to care for the earth and all the creatures in it in
Genesis 1 never seems more true than when carefully setting aside earthworms
and pill bugs as I dig, putting them back to symbiotically work in my garden.
So, especially for those like me who mostly work behind desks, get out there
and start a garden or help with a community or church garden!
2) Everything seems connected and anything that is
in disharmony with God's vision is seen for what it is: disruptive,
unimportant, and out of unity with God and God's people. Road rage? It's
a useless expense of hate and energy. Gossiping about that person you don't
like? It won't do anyone any good and it will make you feel worse afterwards.
Having divisive arguments with a family member or friend about politics? Well,
being "right" won't win you any friends or convince anyone of your viewpoint!
3) I am literally stronger now than ever
before. Gardening is hard, messy, heavy work. But if you invest in it, your
body will thank you after you work through the muscle pains. Your body will
strengthen and respond to your efforts. Many Christians get hung up on the 1 Corinthians 6 text, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you?" They will preach never to have a sip of wine, yet sit down to Wednesday night church dinners of fried foods, bread pudding and sweet tea. As a result, the Bible Belt is straining from the excess weight. The most obese states are in the South. However, when we understand where our food comes from and have a relationship with the land, we can strike an appropriate balance in our lives.
I look forward to learning more lessons on gardening and life from neighbors, family and friends!
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