A Garden of Change

I was thinking about how the garden changes over the season ... and about what an interesting point in life I am right now. I have one child on the brink of truly ripening -- filling with sweet flavor and soon to be harvested to be used. I have another child just in the midst of growth -- with green leaves filling out and the flower in full bloom about to produce its first sign of fruit. And I have a tender sprig of a child -- just now emerging from the earth and reaching it's green shoot out to the warm, bright sun. As a homeschooling mom, I have the privilege to watch and nurture them all. But boy! This is quite a balance. Quite frankly, I have no idea what I'm doing half the time!! The needs of my oldest are ever changing. My little one (and only daughter) also has a whole new set of needs ("Let me help you do the cooking, Mommy!" or "Today I'm going to play that I'm a boy, okay Mommy?" or "We are the only womans here, huh Mommy?"). And of course, don't forget my precious middle child squished in between with needs of his own. Sometimes I feel like quite a gardener, able to manage all of these little gardens! More and more lately however, I throw up my hands and find myself on my knees seeking guidance, strength, and wisdom from my Master Gardener. I suspect that this is where He wants me to stay and likely where He wanted me to be all along.

Haircuts on the Backporch

It's that time again -- my boys' hair grows so fast!! I've given up on taking them someplace ... who has the time to go get a haircut every 3 weeks??! They have to just accept the job that their unprofessional mother does. It's getting easier each time and (so far) no one has asked how long their mother has been cutting their hair! Smile.

My Living Garden

My children and husband are my living garden. Of course God is the Master Gardener, but I am the Master Gardener's staff (so to speak). My responsibilities involve feeding (carefully), watering (diligently), weeding out (attitudes and sin issues), pruning (discipleship and training), talking and listening to, giving attention to, and enjoying (taking pleasure in). Each of my plants has unique needs. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses and natural bents. Some aren't zoned well for my region and that is where the Master Gardener works on me as well to better prepare me for the task at hand. It is a lovely, albeit time-consuming and often monotonous, job. I pray daily that my Master Gardener would give me the strength and perseverance to be worthy of the responsibility.

Josiah is my oldest and tallest plant. His roots grow deep although he is easily swayed by the heavy winds which blow through from time to time. He is a cherished friend, steady and sure. He grows rather cautiously but at a predictable rate. I'm learning right now what it means to allow his branches to grow in their own direction a bit. There will be times when we'll need to stake him to keep him growing straight and tall. But for now, he is experimenting (as am I!) at finding his way toward the Son, without our constant stakes, ropes, and guidance.

Isaac is my tenderest plant. His stems and flowers are fragile, but his roots have grown strong from the constant wind and the difficulties he has experienced in his garden of life. His branches have always gone in directions that I am not necessarily accustomed. From his earliest days as a tender shoot, he has struggled to grow in ways and directions which go against my own natural bents. In the end however, the Master Gardener has known best and Isaac's unique growth and flowers and stems have become a beautiful plant for all to enjoy. He is my precious teddy bear, always available and always willing to snuggle and provide comfort through the gift of affection.

Isabelle is my flower in full bloom. She is beautiful and joyous and innocent in her simple pleasures and daily joys. She adores being a flower in her garden of life and is a perennial that keeps on blooming in spite of heat or wind or winter's cold. She reminds me of my overgrown lavender growing outside my bedroom window. It blooms throughout the season, and even in the winter months while it is dry, still provides mildly fragrant, stately purple flowers dried by the wind and cold. It seems to smile at the springtime to come. The Master Gardener smiles upon me each day He gives me her company.

My Literal Garden in full August bloom

Although the rest of my life might seem quite ordered, I prefer to grow my garden with little predictability. I love to blend the flowers and herbs alongside the vegetables. It mimics the way I enjoy living the homeschooling lifestyle -- fitting in the strong academic work alongside the learning that comes from living and experiencing it firsthand.


This year the kids did most of the work planting and weeding the sunflowers and pumpkins. Life just doesn't seem liveable without a pumpkin or two around. I love the color orange just for this reason. Decorative gourds and Indian corn grown right in the garden add a festive look and are fun to decorate with during the Autumn months.