Finding Solace in the Garden

Me in my garden picking cherry tomatoes last year.

No matter what is going on in my life, the garden welcomes me with open arms. This is why I encourage everyone to garden at least once in their life.

I have a fast paced brain, I am always thinking about something. It’s very rare for me to be thinking about nothing. I’m always thinking about the next task or what I need to do later. The only time I’m thinking about nothing is in the garden. Words can’t describe the peace the overcomes me in the garden.

Gardening is addicting, gardening makes us (fellow gardeners) feel good. That feeling when the tomato you started from seed is finally ready to harvest, it’s indescribable. That feeling of reaping the benefits of your hard work. Being able to share my harvest is one of the most rewarding things for me.

The other day after setting up my chicken wire garden fence, I took a step back and took it all in. I walked around the community garden and imagined what will be in a short few weeks. Gardeners young and old will be planting their summer crops, hoping for a bountiful harvest.

On my garden walk, I walked among the squirrels, who were completely unphased by my presence. I heard the birds chirping in the trees and I watched them bathe in the rain puddles.

The garden is not mine. Everything that has been and will be in the garden is God’s. The fact that he shares that with me is incredibly inspiring. The garden brings me hope. Hope in the future, because the garden isn’t affected by the current events. The garden reminds me that God will provide to those who put their faith and trust in him.

Unlike people, the garden doesn’t worry about the future, it doesn’t worry about when the frost will come, or if you’ll remember to water it. It is in no rush to flower or fruit. It all happens in its own time. The garden only dies, if you let it die. The garden is patient, it is resilient, and is forgiving.

Like people, if left to it’s own devices, it will become unmanageable. This is why it is important to be a dutiful, patient gardener.

Most of the time, if you make a mistake in the garden it will forgive you. The plants will rebound. No matter what you do, failures are bound to happen. Instead of dwelling on them, they can easily be used as opportunities to learn and grow from.

God is both the garden and the gardener. Like the garden, God does not fear, he is patient, and he is forgiving. He is also the gardener. His words feed us, nurture us, and grow in us, so that we too can be fruitful.

The garden is wherever you make it. No matter where it is or how big or small it is. I’ve had several garden areas now, and my feelings towards the garden have remained unchanged. The garden is my place for seeking solace. In the garden, I am reminded God is like the garden. He is the bringer of hope. He is patient and his love endures forever.