Editing Ellie 2023
I found this post draft from Spring 2022.
I have published it here, in its originality as yet another reminder that the ability to see the bright side despite the possibility of failure was there all along. My sights had been set on the wrong thing when starting this blog, but it will be given new life moving forward!
What we’ve been up to…
We’ve been active in the garden, seeding some of our favorite things. Dreaming excessively of the future herbs, fruits, veggies, and flowers that will be produced this year. Amidst the hard work, which my children don’t always particularly enjoy, each of us has found a favorite thing that pursuing homesteading will mean to them.
For my youngest, it is the joy of the sunflower. He dreams of a plant so high he must climb the fence to smell it, fully knowing that it may not actually smell like anything. But the concept that a FLOWER can get that big AND feed birds WHILE being beautiful… it has wooed his little heart and there is no stopping him. He has been getting his school and chores done in a timely fashion more often (a big win for Mom and Dad) so he can go touch, sing, talk to, and draw pictures of these precious plants he started.
For my other son still living at home, garden time is a way to get dirty, and know Mom will be happy to see it! It means planting, watering, up-potting, looking forward to the upcoming plant sale, etc. Not to mention the financial bonus promise based on the amount of investment in the farm and garden projects.
My only daughter enjoys the sorting, labeling, and keeping things straight. This is such a blessing to me, as a often scatter brained momma.
As for me, I long for Stability…
I dream of an amazingly beautiful and prolific garden that my children, husband, and friends enjoy walking through. Being wooed by bees and blossoms as we snack our way from peas and beans, past the cucamelons and ground cherries, to tomatoes and honeysuckle.
In my mind’s eye exists a gorgeous gate and a pagoda within the garden with wisteria climbing the trellises and shading a sizeable sitting area. To be in a blissful oasis of God’s creation, composed for the sole purpose of being enjoyed.
That sounded nice, huh? Unfortunately at this stage, that is a beautiful dream. Somedays I struggle to see the good through the gloom. A bug infestation can seemingly remove any joy from the current gardening project. The broken or lost tool points toward the lack of organization, self-control or obedience of proper tool care rules. The plant that gets babied, sang to, nurtured and encouraged which just will not thrive. And of course, it is the one that has been a delightful endeavor even before receiving the seeds.
And yet, even when it seems like there is no good timing, no proper next step, no view of the coming goal; God revives me with His words in Ecclesiastes:
When clouds are heavy, the rains come down. Whether a tree falls north or south,
it stays where it falls. Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant.
If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.
Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things.
Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.
What will you do then, when the tools are misplaced or cracked? What words will fall from your lips if the squash bugs have entertained themselves within your vines again? How about your reaction when a sprinkle begins, suspending the wonderful afternoon you were having? Is that struggling cherry tomato plant that persevered the “Dog bone adventure of 2020” whispering “failure” to your heart?
Having the right attitude and drive takes practice, and we need to plan the direction we choose to follow ahead of time. As Ecclesiastes reminds us — Stuff’s gonna happen! Life will go on! Just as we don’t fully understand how a baby is knit together by our Loving Creator, so we don’t know how the wind will blow. Will the seeds spread in the wrong area? Will the water flow too quickly despite less daily rain than expected? Will that beautiful lush green plant suddenly die or refuse to produce flowers and fruit?
To be honest, it doesn’t matter.
That’s what God is calling us to hear. He rules the weather, the world, and the goings on. He has given us a land of plenty and the senses to enjoy every level of His gift. He knows what is to come and has prepared a path through with just the right amount of trial, as He walks it with us.
What are you looking forward to this season? What do you focus on and hold dear during the dreary times when all seems to be going poorly? What calls to you and woos your heart? What calls to your children and/or spouse?
Start the conversation below. I can’t wait to read it.