I purchased some plants earlier this year to use outside around my water feature. I put them in nice pots and as the weather grew colder, I conditioned them to be indoors through the winter. I had been mindful of these plants since bringing them inside. I was pretty proud of myself.

After being gone 12 days and as an afterthought I asked my daughter, “Did you water my plants?” Her response? “I didn’t even know there were plants in the house.” She would have cared for them if I asked her to, but I didn’t even think about the care of these plants while I was away. If these plants survive it will be a miracle. I just don’t have that green thumb that so many people talk about.

Gardening is not my thing. But I do like Gardening God’s Way. I found this cute guide that I thought I would share. There were not Scripture verses with it, so I’ve added those. Let’s see what God has to say about the garden of our lives.

Plant three rows of peas:

• Peace of mind (Isaiah 26:3)
• Peace of heart (Proverbs 14:30; John 14:27)
• Peace of soul (John 16:33)

Plant four rows of squash:

• Squash gossip (Proverbs 26:20)
• Squash indifference (1 Peter 2:1-3)
• Squash grumbling (Philippians 2:14-16)
• Squash selfishness (Philippians 2:3)

Plant four rows of lettuce:

• Lettuce be faithful (1 Peter 4:10)
• Lettuce be kind (Ephesians 4:32)
• Lettuce be obedient (1 Peter 1:14-15)
• Lettuce really love one another (1 John 4:7-8)

No garden without turnips:

• Turnip for worship (Hebrews 10:25)
• Turnip for serving (Colossians 3:23-24)
• Turnip to help one another (Hebrews 13:16)

To conclude our garden we must have thyme:

• Thyme for God (Psalm 46:10; Matthew 6:33)
• Thyme for study (Psalm 119:11; 2 Timothy 2:15)
• Thyme for prayer (Psalm 62:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

My plants are okay, not thriving, but okay. But God doesn’t want our spiritual lives to be this way. He doesn’t want us to live mediocre lives (Revelation 3:16), but instead God wants us to live abundantly (John 10:10). And Jesus is just the Savior to offer this life.

I pray that as you go through your day that you will think about the garden of your own life. Are the rows misaligned? Are weeds encroaching on the good crop? Have you taken the time to care for your garden? What are you willing to do for a good harvest?

I pray that God’s Hand is upon the garden of your life and that He is the One you run to for advice and guidance. He knows what He is talking about. He’s the expert. He’s the Good Gardener. And God is just waiting for you to ask for His help.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna