I don’t know what it is about gardening. It is work, but somehow it is relaxing and even therapeutic. As long as I don’t spend too much time pulling weeds, trimming, or whatever, I feel encouraged and refreshed as I’m spending the time outside.

Did I somehow inherit some kind of “gardening” or “farming” gene from my Swedish grandpa who spent his life as a farmer in Nebraska? Every growing season I look forward to taking care of a flower garden and a vegetable garden, even though it isn’t exactly easy in this Colorado climate with inconsistent rainfall, hailstorms,and sometimes scorching days and cool nights. Not to mention a shorter growing season because of late snow in May, and an early fall freeze.

Many times being outside gardening has been a stress-reliever. I remember working outside through my tears as I grieved for my youngest brother, Robert, as he was battling Hodgen’s Disease. It was a time to pray and clear my mind as I worked. (He is healthy again–for several years now–praise the Lord!)

I have to admit I tend to favor the flowers over the vegetables. It seems more enjoyable to look at and smell the flowers as I’m working. The vegetables are the “functional” crop. It is worth the work in the end, since the whole family, and even friends and neighbors, can enjoy eating the fruit of that labor. This year, we’re growing pumpkins, potatoes, broccoli, carrots, green beans, and tomatoes. We have a new strawberry patch, just planted last year, which is done producing for now. (J. was so kind to put up a fence which totally enclosed the strawberry patch, to keep birds from eating the ripe berries. 🙂 )

Sarah took the picture above, which shows part of our flower garden along the driveway, including some “Blue Angels”. (I forget the real name; they are originally red flowers.) A fun thing about the flower garden is that it is constantly changing all season, as different flowers bloom at different times.

Some of you may think it’s crazy to actually enjoy gardening work, but it brings me joy and I see it as one of God’s gifts. I’ll close with these verses from Ecclesiastes. (It may not all apply to this subject, but it’s a cool passage!)

“. . . as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart.”
Ecclesiastes 5:19-20