When we moved to Independence in March 2025, the first thing we did to our new property is prepare a garden. If you know Jaron and I, you know we have a tendency to dive right in to a full remodel project every chance we get.

You should also know that after fifteen years of near mental breakdowns and marital dilemmas, we have (finally) learned to chill and ease into our projects…kinda.

Praise God, because we were fortunate to buy a home that was move-in ready; nothing HAD to be done on it or in it for us to live here. We are at the leisure of our availability and budget to remodel when and how we want.

But, while we didn’t dive right in to a master bathroom remodel or dining room addition in our new home, we did initiate and complete a week-long project of building a garden.

(It’s progress, friends. Really. You should be proud of our restraint.)

Garden of Faith Preparation

It was a good, solid week of collaborative family work. The weather was b-e-a-utiful! Spirits were high from the change in our lives. Eager anticipation for making our new home in our likeness was bubbling over.

One morning, Josiah was working in the garden with me and began to talk about how our garden work reminded him of our recent Bible lesson. After a productive discussion together, he proclaimed our garden to be called “Our Garden of Faith.”

Since then, Our Garden of Faith has stirred up many, many, many lessons of faith.

It’s proved to be one of the best projects we’ve done together yet.

Lessons of Faith

This morning’s garden work brought a special lesson just for me…

Since moving back, I have periodically applied for temporary or part-time jobs. My priority has been and will continue to be homeschooling the boys, but I’ve wanted a little something extra too.

Key word, wanted.

Recently, there was a position opened locally that I thought would be wonderful to have. I believe I would excel at it, but I’ve felt uneasy within my spirit to proceed with the application process. I want to, but I don’t believe I’m supposed to.

While working in Our Garden of Faith today, the Lord spoke to me through the Spirit in the stillness of the of the morning.

I was cutting out weeds that had grown around my vegetables, many of which had grown so tall and full, I worried would choke out the vegetable plants growing.

For one, this is a parable spoken by Jesus himself, recorded in the Gospels of the New Testament- known as The Parable of the Sower. He was gracious to bring this to my mind.

Additionally, as I was pulling good, strong grass bundles from the garden, the Lord’s Spirit said to me:

Think of this grass. Many would agree grass is good. But even in the garden, the good grass can grow so tall and so thick that it prevents the sun from reaching the best plants, the ones you are purposely cultivating to grow. With the good grass towering over your plants, the sun isn’t able to do its job in the process of growing, multiplying, and harvesting your vegetables. No sun can reach through the good, thick, luscious grass to dry up the soil in between rains, or give light to the plants.

Like this grass, you may be good at another job and it may grow strong and be successful, but will it block the Son from reaching the garden of your life where the best things are being planted and growing and multiplying?

Good Isn’t Always Best

His still, small voice stopped me in my tracks as I pulled a bundle of grass and roots from the soil.

I was both humbled with gratitude and ashamed at the same time.

Amazed and full of gratitude at the lesson He gave to me. Ashamed because I lost focus. How could I have allowed myself to get as far as applying for a job that I knew I already didn’t need?

But God, being rich in mercy, forgave me as I uttered the words, “I’m sorry, Lord.”

If you know me, have been to Bible Study with me, or have read any of my writings, I say often- God doesn’t always take us from bad things in life to good things. He also takes us from good things to better, great things too.

My grandmother, Nana, once gave me this exhortation. I now have the privilege of resharing it as it brought me encouragement, and placed me back on my solid foundation to follow the Lord’s timing.

Remain Steadfast and Diligent

I am reminded today to be steadfast and dedicated to the “job” He’s called me to right now. He will lead as I follow.

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Reflection:

What good things do you need to weed out of your life today to allow God to grow and multiply the best things planted in your life?

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