“Still round the corner there may wait a new road or a secret gate.” ~ J.R.R. Tolkien
Hard work can be disguised in a hobby. Passion and interest can occupy one’s attention, energy, and time. One starts on a project of great detail. Maybe a cup or two of coffee or tea to keep the momentum going. Then 5, 6, or 8 hours later you are scrambling for a bite to eat and cannot believe what time it is. This is how it has been with baking, gardening, birdwatching, crafting, reading, and writing for me. New brain pathways travelled, mysteries are discovered, prayers said, challenges are overcome, and beauty is found in whatever has been created.
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” ~ Thomas Edison
Still round the corner awaits another adventure. One that God has placed in my life, your life. A path waiting to be uncovered and walked on. There are bends and forks in the road, and the Holy Spirit is our guide and protector. With eyes of faith an atelier at the cottage here or elsewhere is in the making. A place designated to work on these projects the heart has passion for. A place of our own to create and bless others with God’s gifts. What is around your corner?
I cannot say I always thought gardening was “therapy”. As a child I lived on a tree farm. In 1969 my father decided to change his career as a carpenter to an organic tree farmer. His family of a wife and 4 children joined him; it was a family tree farm. Organic growing methods were considered unconventional at that time. Dad believed most of the horticultural chemicals used on this earth were harmful for our environment; plants, animals, and humans alike. So my siblings and I were the herbicides and pesticides. We pulled out weeds with our gloved hands and picked bag worms off the evergreens.
Despite those hard years getting the tree nursery established, I later appreciated the conservative values I learned as a child grower, as well as the beauty of the outdoors and plant life. Today, I love flowers and growing plants organically. The rich rewards of the pink eye candy and fragrance of a peony bush outweighs the toil of tending to it. Gardening, and writing about it are my therapies from this complicated society we live in. I choose the simple life of gardening rather than to solve the world’s troubles. To me tending to plants as a farmer or gardener speaks James 1:2-5. “Consider it pure joy, my brother, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance…maturity.”
Rain (and snow) are part of a cyclical watering process. This is what we count on to water our gardens and the earth. Sometimes those rains are far and few in between. And other times, we think the infamous ark may come in handy. I spend many minutes that turn into hours attending to plants for pleasure and stress-release. The soil, greens, and flowers’ colors nourish my soul. From these rains nature’s waterfalls and garden fountains flow life-giving water. The birds, squirrels, and deer gather to drink.
I, like the garden, need a drink from the rains to nourish my body and soul. Daily. The droughts last too long. And the floods overwhelm. Author Dan Buettner writes about the COVID crises, “like most hardships, it will materialize as a blessing in the rearview mirror.” I can say this is the case for me. Staying home, working remotely has given me time for my thoughts and soul to collect raindrops; get plenty of sleep, eat healthier, walk daily sometimes two times a day, and to reach out to others in creative ways. “The Lord will always lead you. He will meet the needs of your soul in the dry times and give strength to your body. You will be like a garden that has enough water, like a well of water that never dries up.” ~ Isaiah 58:11 (New Life Version). The hymn Rain Down …
Rain down Rain down Rain down your love on your people Rain down Rain down Rain down your love, God of life
Faithful and true is the Word of our God All of God’s works are so worthy of trust God’s mercy falls on the just and the right Full of God’s love is the earth
Rain down Rain down Rain down your love on your people Rain down Rain down Rain down your love, God of life
We who revere and find hope in our God Live in the kindness and joy of God’s wing God will protect us from darkness and death God will not leave us to starve
Rain down Rain down Rain down your love on your people Rain down Rain down Rain down your love, God of life
God of creation, we long for Your truth You are the water of life that we thirst Grant that Your love and peace touch our hearts All of our hope lies in You.
Rain down Rain down Rain down your love on your people Rain down Rain down Rain down your love, God of life
Woman Warrior 