Church in the Garden: A Week Without Sun (or Son)?
We had a cold snap in Texas this week (REALLY cold). We were at or below freezing for nearly a week with lows in the mid-teens and windchills in the single digits. Now...for those of you who live up north, this may be the norm for you this time of year. In Texas, this is not the norm although it seems to be occurring more frequently.
Last week, we had highs in the upper 70's, pushing 80. It was feeling very Spring-like...what we call 'false Spring'. It happens every year and every year, I fall for it and start planting things in my garden. I have potatoes, onions, carrots, lettuce, and blackberries. Most of those tolerate cold but not freezing.
If you follow me on Instagram, you likely saw my post about prepping for the freeze. (If you don't follow me on Instagram, please do!). Since we will be back in the mid to upper 60s this week, I removed the frost cloth and heat mats from my garden this morning...an anxiety inducing task. Did it work? Did my plants survive? Good news: They did! Well, except some of my lettuce but that's ok, I have some time to replant. As far as everything else, not only did it survive, there are even some new sprouts!
The little onion sprout in this picture is alive and healthy, despite its color. It's a bit yellow because the frost cloth blocks out direct sunlight, which, as we learned in elementary school is a key component to producing chlorophyll (photosynthesis and all that). This is where I had my "church in the garden" moment. The plant is fine but a week without sun has taken a toll on its appearance. Longer periods without sun would eventually cause stunted growth and it could possibly die before reaching its full potential.
The plant's lack of green made me think about my relationship with God and the parallels between my need for spiritual sun (Son) and a plant's need for literal sun. I can still survive without God...but can I truly live? Without a relationship with God will I reach my full potential?
I've believed in God my entire life but pursuing a closer relationship has been stagnant for over 20 years. I stopped going to church (until recently) and I had all but forgotten that prayer is the antidote to the anxiety caused by trying to control things that only God has the power to control.
The realization I had in the garden today is that, no! I cannot truly live or reach my full potential (God's purpose) without actively pursuing a relationship with God and completely surrendering my life to Jesus. Not just proclaiming my faith and acceptance of Jesus as my Lord and Savior but completely surrendering. Relinquishing total control and believing God is in complete control. This means all joy, suffering, sickness, abundance, etc. is in His plan. If that doesn't take a load off, I don't know what will.
I still struggle with this every day. I still try to control things that I can't. I still worry. I am a work in progress but when I start to really feel out of control, it brings me such peace to lean on God and remember that everything is in His perfect timing. Attending church every Sunday has become non-negotiable. It's something I look forward to each week...even if it is via YouTube from my living room. (I'm not quite ready to attend in person due to some past trauma but that's a story for another blog.) I'm learning to be present, especially when outdoors. I feel closest to God when I'm in nature...and sometimes I find church in the garden.
Comments