Happy Place

My grandson’s happy place is being on the farm.  Even though he is too young to verbalize these thoughts, his mother knows how he loves to wonder around the yard, watch the tractors do their work, or try pulling a cat’s tail as they brush against his legs.  He is obviously content in this outdoor space.

Many of us have a happy place and mine is my garden.  As I was hanging up laundry on the wash line which borders the garden, I happily observed this piece of earth.  Nothing picture worthy but full of potential.

The lettuce and spinach needed harvesting again and I could not wait to take the kitchen shears and my basket and start snipping.  Lettuces love this cool rainy weather so it helps me to appreciate the days when the sun isn’t shining and the sky is gray and cloudy.

The spring garden tilling for the season needed to be accomplished by my farmer husband but there were fields of corn and soybeans that needed to be planted.  The seeds and veggie plants had to wait until the ground had dried out again.  Tilling the ground while it is too wet can cause the soil to become compacted.

After much grace and patience waiting for the rains to stop, finally, on Saturday, the ground appeared dry enough to use the tiller.  My husband had to use the weed eater to chop down all those flourishing weeds before tilling.

Happily, I retrieved the garden plan (hopefully that will be another post).  I gathered my supplies: the bucket in which I keep the seeds, a hoe, a string to make straight rows, a tape measure, and the seedlings which have been patiently waiting on the porch.

First, I stood and surveyed the area, deciding exactly where the planting should begin.  The tomatoes, peppers, and basil needed to be put in the ground.  The holes were dug and redug until they were in the right spots.  My husband stated that I looked so happy doing this.  I worked until the sun was going down around 8:15.  My dear husband was such a blessing as he gathered the stakes for the tomatoes and then hammered them into the ground.  He was even kind enough to take these pictures.

There are many places where I find fulfillment and contentment here on this earth but I am looking forward to another place that Jesus is preparing.  When Jesus walked on this earth, He told his disciples that he was going to leave them.  This was a very troubling thought to them.  Walking side by side with Jesus was their happy place.  His reply was, “In my Father’s house are many dwelling places…and I go to prepare a place for you…and I will come again…that where I am, there you may be also.”*

Thomas was concerned that he didn’t know where Jesus was going and how to get there.  The answer Jesus gave was one which I hold onto today.  “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

So no matter the place where we are, being with Jesus is the most satisfying and fulfilling place to be.

*John 14:1-3