Her Garden

She finally sat down and then wandered how she would ever get up. The last two weeks had been so busy. Filled with non-stop happenings from dawn to dusk, each day had ended with her head landing in the pillow, wandering how she could keep up the pace. She wasn't young anymore and even though she was only her in 40's, lately she felt old and spent. With their business slowing and financial responsibilities weighing heavy on their shoulders, the what-if discussions of selling the house and getting a job for a little extra income had changed from scenario to reality. Not that it was an impossible situation. It wasn't. God was indeed growing them in faith and continuing to provide daily. There were undeniable events that could only be chalked up to one thing.... God's unending love and mercy. But there were things they couldn't ignore anymore. God was telling them to get their house in order, business wise and home wise. A family meeting was held and everyone was on board. Arrangements were made to begin readying the house to be put on the market and a job search was begun. Not that she had to take the first available opening. She could be picky and make sure the job fit her needs and talents. For that, she was grateful. And then, when she wasn't expecting it, a job fell right into her lap.... part-time. Perfect. She could work on the house (which by the way, was going to take some major de-cluttering before it was ready to market) Also, she was leading a weekly Bible study attended by 70 women. And her husband was out of town more now that things were tightening up at the office.

So, here she was. Pondering on the last two weeks. Things where falling into place. Her job at the church couldn't be any better suited for her. The regional conference had just finished so things should slow down at the church just a bit. She hadn't made much progress on the house but vowed that this next week would definately be better now that the Bible study was up and running and the conference was behind her. She counted her blessings. "Yes, times were hard but look across the fence and see what the neighbors were going through," she reminded herself. God was good. He doesn't promise continual roses in our garden but he does promise us help with the weeds. And boy, had she been weeding. For the last 5 years it seemed that she had been on her knees, crouching in between the rows of plants that needing tending and trying to tend a garden that was in need of care, small plants and big ones. Yet, the garden was still alive and thriving. Not because of anything she had done. She had only been listening to the master gardner who kept reminding her He was there. "Water that one," He says. "Pull that weed over there," He whispers. "That one needs a little fertilizer," He reminds her. And when one part of the garden ends up looking a little untended, He gently encourages her to manage what He has given her a little better. When storms come and the garden is damaged, He comes along side her and restored the beauty. Yes it may not look like it did before but new, more beautiful plants begin to sprout and then her garden becomes one unlike she could have ever imagined.

So, thank you, my Master Gardner. You've walked beside me and held me in the last few years through trials and sorrows, joys and triumphs. I trust that you know how my garden will look in it's finished state so I choose not to worry about how it will arrive there. I love you and know you will provide what I need to take care of things today. You are Jehovah Jireh. My provider. All praise and honor to Yours.