Where Is Your Garden?

By Carol Wiedner

The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer God’s heart in a garden,
Than anywhere else on earth.

Nearly 30 years ago, I unearthed a sign at a local garden shop. It was simply a black metal pole made to push into the ground. Atop was a medallion with the words above inscribed in silver. It was the perfect Mother’s Day gift for my mother’s small flower bed. Not much of a garden to some, but it brought her much pleasure as she enjoyed flowers bursting forth in colorful bloom. Her eyes sparkled as she added the sign to her little patch of beauty.

Today my mother is with the Lord. Her sign is now mine. Yearly, I place it in my own little patch of flowers. Each spring when the sun kisses the breeze with warmth, and trees turn green with the promise of rebirth, I get spring fever. Spring fever is a deep yearning to participate in the amazing cycle of rebirth and growth. It’s a desire to get down in the dry dirt and bring forth something new and beautiful. It’s a time when God speaks to my soul in a most basic way.

He reminds me of how I felt as a new Christian. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). I remember the joy and peace resulting from being right with God. I remember feeling humbled as I realized God had taken my dry, worn self, and turned it into something new and beautiful. I remember eagerly wanting to do God’s work, building His Kingdom however I could.

Eagerly, I venture into my yard laden with flowers and fertilizer. I choose the perfect home for the plants, some needing sun, others shade. I begin digging in that old, dry dirt, carefully adding fertilizer, placing each plant at the correct depth, generously watering, and ending with a thick layer of mulch. Finally, I relax, knowing I have given my plants a healthy foundation for growth.

As I reflect on my plants’ foundation, I am reminded my spiritual life needs a solid foundation for growth also. To sustain the joy and peace I felt as a new Christian, I need to root my soul in the things of God. Instead of plants and fertilizer, I immerse myself in Scripture each morning, reflecting upon it as I tend my heart. I spend time praying, enjoying the sweet communion between God and myself, building and strengthening our relationship.

Yet more is needed. Membership in a local church, in the fellowship of Christians, teaches me much, encourages me often, and fosters worship. As the fullness of Christ fills my soul, I look for ways to serve others, striving to do His work on earth. The accumulation of these efforts works in me daily so I might fulfill the command of Romans 12:1, in view of God’s mercy, to offer my body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, as a spiritual act of worship.

Continuing to provide my garden with water and fertilizer, all seems to be going well until I notice weeds sprouting among my prized plants! I’m somewhat surprised. I’d carefully removed existing weeds before planting and laid a heavy cover of mulch to prohibit their growth. Despite my efforts, they seem to be thriving. To protect the plants I had devotedly cultivated, I now spend hours removing weeds. It’s not enough simply to pluck the tops from sight. I must carefully uproot them to keep them at bay. Even when I manage to eradicate the root, it’s not long before new weeds appear.

How weeds are like sin in my life! As a new Christian, my sins were washed away. I started with a clean slate. In spite of the strengthening foundations I regularly apply to my spiritual life, I find sin creeping in—wrong thoughts, hurtful words, unwanted actions, or even inaction. I’m often taken by surprise when I realize that despite my good intentions, I’m much like Paul: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate to do I do” (Romans 7:15). I realize Proverbs 20:9 is speaking directly to me: “Who can say, ‘I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin?’” The answer, of course, is no one. Just as I add hours to my gardening pulling up weeds, I spend time with God confessing my sin and repenting. Yet, even this is not enough. To remove it completely, I can’t simply conceal it. I need to be certain to uproot and eradicate sin from my life. Having done that, I find new unwanted thoughts or actions have a way of creeping in. So, I daily rely on God for the cleansing and cultivation I need, thanking Him for His forgiveness and mercy.

Eventually, spring becomes summer. I’m in a good routine of watering, fertilizing, and weeding. With summer comes heat, humidity, and often drought-like conditions. Just when I need to be diligent, the rigors of the weather weaken my resolve. I become negligent and my garden suffers. Seeing the garden languish, I strengthen my resolve and return to my routine. With renewed effort, it flourishes again.

The rough summer weather mirrors the storms in my life. My storms arise primarily from my own health. When my health declines, my resolve to read Scripture daily and attend church weakens. Pouring out my heart to God, I find no relief. If I continue on this path, my spiritual health and my physical health languishes. It’s in these times encouragement from fellow believers and the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit strengthens my resolve to draw close to God. He unfailingly fortifies me to continue reading His Word and meeting with His people as my health allows. Then I say with the psalmist, “I am confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:13-14). Despite my health constraints, I flourish.

In due time, the growing season ends. I derive joy from sharing the harvest God has provided. Slowly fading blooms fill me with praise for the Creator of such beauty and splendor. Ultimately, I’m filled with hopeful expectation that next year’s growing season will offer new opportunities for God to speak to my soul.

Just as I share my garden harvest, I seek ways to share God’s work in me with others in my life. I need the power of the Holy Spirit to do so effectively, and while I often fail, I persevere. What joy it is to see others realize their need for a Savior! Praise to God for the beauty of His creation is in my heart, and hopefully on my lips. Above all is praise for who He is, His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ for all who believe in His name and the hope He offers daily. Finally, I praise Him for speaking to the depths of my eternal soul as I piddle in the dirt.

Where is your garden? It doesn’t have to be an actual garden. It can be anywhere God especially reminds you of His truth. Perhaps it’s with a Bible in your lap in a comfortable chair. Perhaps it’s in your church sanctuary surrounded by Christian brothers and sisters. Perhaps it’s the company of a trusted believer in a coffee shop. Wherever it is, be confident God still speaks today if we only pause and hear His voice.

Thank you, God, for speaking to me! Thank you for causing me to remember. Thank you for your grace and forgiveness. Thank you for the hope you give me each day. Thank you for my garden.

About the Writer: Carol Wiedner is a retired pediatric oncology nurse and is currently the program coordinator for the women's ministry at Grace FWB Church in Arnold, Missouri. She and her husband Terry have three sons and five grandchildren. She enjoys gardening, writing, sewing, and especially, visiting her children and grandchildren.