Victory Garden

Victory gardens were promoted during World Wars I and II.  Europe was devastated by war and the United States helped feed civilians and troups involved by sending commercially grown canned foods.  A movement was started to encourage citizens to turn backyards, vacant lots, and parks into vegetable and fruit production to feed themselves and others in their communities.  The slogan was, “Sow the Seeds of Victory” and the gardens became known as victory gardens.

Victory has been a word that has come to my mind as I have been engaged in a war.  My body has become a battleground as a foreign intruder was discovered.  Medical science calls it cancer.  In garden terms, it was a nasty weed that needed eliminated.  So sugery did the removal like digging out and cutting off a weed so it can  spread no longer.  It was advised to me to make sure it is eliminated so I should apply some powerful weed killer known as chemo drugs.  In farming we use selective weed control so the plants are not destroyed.  At this time the only weed control available to treat our bodies kills not only the out of control cells but also the good growing cells.

This mortal body I live in is in a war…..sigh.  But the good news is…… I have a spirit and soul which is ultimately in control of this body!  My mind can choose to dwell on this weak body or I can remember who lives within me!!   Romans 8 says we can let our minds dwell on the body which is death or we can concentrate on the the Spirit which is life and peace!  Because Jesus Christ was raised from the dead we can also have life in our mortal bodies!!

So I have chosen to plant a victory garden.  Fresh seeds of faith….believing and trusting the promises of the Word of God which give me strength and renewed hope.

Seeds of hope….like this verse from Romans 8:13- Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Each new day I receive hope that my body will be renewed and restored to complete health!

Joy and peace are two fruits of the spirit.  The joy of the Lord is my strength.  Peace in my heart and mind are mine when I lay down all my anxious thoughts to Jesus through prayer and requests with thanksgiving.  I don’t need to get anxious about the next chemo infusion because I know that The Lord carries and surrounds me with his love.

These are some of the seeds of victory that are growing in my garden.  I will leave you with this verse from IICorinthians 13:14….The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all!

 

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.

This photo was taken Tuesday afternoon. The garden looks kind of unkempt and the weeds keep prospering in any kind of weather!

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.

Saturday afternoon the roto tiller and the operator made an appearance in the garden!! Good bye weeds….hello beautiful soil.

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.

Placing the dirt around the pepper plant. The owl is keeping watch to hopefully prevent the starlings from pulling out the plants.

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