A few days ago, a neighbor was walking by and complimented our yard saying, “Everything looks so beautiful. You must be an avid gardener.” I thanked her as she walked on, and I thought to myself, I’m not truly an avid gardener; I’m more of a rabid gardener. Let me explain: I love the trees and flowers. I love spring and summer and the bounty of blossoms and greenery. But I neglect the gardens. I let things get a little out of hand. And I step outside and realize that I must get things under control! So, instead of patiently tending the gardens each day, I instead go into manic-mode and work in a frenzy until I’m a hot, achy, sweaty mess who is really too tired to enjoy his labor.

Hence, I attack the gardens like a rabid animal, but I get the job done. And I accept the compliments of a neighbor and ignore things for another week or so and then repeat the cycle. It’s exhausting. But it works.

I know of course that daily weeding and more careful tending of my gardens would in the long run ease my burden and then I might just become an avid gardener instead of a rabid one. There is always room for improvement.

This morning I was thinking that my faith life is somewhat like my gardening. I don’t give it the daily attention that I should. Instead, I let things go sometimes until they get out of hand. I fail to see God’s presence in my life. I often ignore the blessings in my life. I become cynical and defiant. And when things are a mess, I turn to God in my frenzy and my weakness, and I finally pray. When I am overwhelmed with pain and conflict and loss, I panic, I plead, I cry. In frantic desperation, I pray “God help me!” And somehow God answers the prayers of this simple man. When the weeds of sin and destruction are choking out the flowers in the garden of my life, Jesus still restores my soul. I pray selfishly, but it works.

Still, I realize that if I focus some attention on prayers of thanksgiving for the bountiful blessings in my life, my panic will lessen. My disappointments and heartache will be easier to shoulder when I remember that I am never alone. The struggles in my life will always remain but perhaps the ability to deal with those challenges will improve if I could just turn them over to God daily. There is always room for improvement.

It’s not perfect but, in the grand scheme of things my life has been remarkably blessed. And my gardens don’t look too bad either. I will continue to thank God for both.

Peace,

Denis

Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5: 17-18

Below is a song about prayer. It’s heart rending but it reminds me to thank God as often as I beg for help.