This time of year, I always end up writing about gardening. I can’t help it. I love taking care of my garden. And that love is evident, not just as a feeling in my gut, but it is displayed the things I do.
I research gardening. I want to know what the best conditions for each plant are. I want to know the characteristics of each variety of plant. I’m a member of gardening groups on Facebook; I want to know what other people have done and whether it worked or not. I want to know what signs to be aware of that diseases, pests, or improper nutrition are creeping in. I want to know all about gardening. As G.I. Joe used to say “Knowing is half the battle.”
I spend a lot of time gardening. It takes time to cultivate the best conditions for the plants to grow. Plus, it takes time to routinely check on how things are growing, and prune and weed out the things that shouldn’t be there. But, these things are not chores to be done; they are things I look forward to. (Just a couple of nights ago, I was out in my garden until 10pm, planting peppers with a headlamp on.)
I spend money on gardening. There are tools that I invest in to help tend a garden. My stock of seeds needs replenishing each year. I pay for fertilizers and pesticides because I don’t want a mediocre or disease-ridden garden. All of this takes an investment of money that I could use to go to the movies or have a meal at a restaurant. But instead I put money towards gardening. (And if you ever want to know what people are really interested in, whether it’s individually or collectively, how they spend their money is a good indicator).
I talk about my garden with others. Ask anyone who gardens about their garden and be prepared for a heart-felt conversation. I love telling others about how my plants are doing and about the tips and tricks I’ve figured out. When I go to other people’s houses, I like to see their gardens and ask them all about it. A couple of gardeners can sit around a share stories for hours.
Now, go back a reread this only replace ‘garden’ with ‘faith’ or ‘relationship with Jesus’, and replace ‘plants’ with ‘Fruit of the Spirit.’
Do we put as much into our relationship with Jesus as we do some of our hobbies?
Today, may you replace certain things in your life with a relationship with Jesus.