How Do Your Gardens Grow?

I always thought I would grow a large vegetable garden, like my mother and my grandmothers. I thought I would plant potatoes on Good Friday, seed lettuce in the cool days of early spring, and tend my garden throughout the summer until harvest.

But that vision never evolved into reality. I live in town, in the valley, on a lot with minimal sunny space. Instead of a sprawling garden, I plant tomatoes and herbs in pots, buy seasonal fresh produce at the local farmers’ market, and accept vegetables from family and friends. It works for me.

I appreciate those dedicated to the seeding, tending and harvesting of plants. The very act of turning the earth, of sowing seeds, of nurturing crops exhibits faith in a fruitful outcome whether you are a large-scale farmer or a home gardener.

Gardening and farming require trust—confidence that a tiny seed or a leggy young plant will thrive with sunshine, water, and care. Confidence that the plant will eventually yield fruit.

We can say the same about faith. As believers, we have complete confidence that heaven is ours because of Jesus’ death and resurrection. We know that no matter the challenges of the growing season, God sustains us. He sees us through days when sunshine lacks, when moisture fails to fall, when weeds overtake our lives. He doesn’t give up. Rather, through the power of the Holy Spirit and His Word, God (the Master Gardener) nourishes and grows our faith.

That’s easy enough to write. But what are some specific ways God tends our gardens? When I look at my own life, I see the many people who planted faith seeds and mentored faithfulness. My grandparents and parents, pastors, Sunday school teachers, friends... God has placed, and still places, Christians in my life who teach, encourage, uplift, support and pray for me. And remind me to stay in the Word.

I am so thankful for scripture. If I’m anxious about something, I need only read reaffirming reminders that the Good Shepherd cares for His sheep, that God stills the stormy waters, and that His light prevails over darkness. If I’m feeling inadequate, I need only read that the Heavenly Father created me, calls me by name, and loves me. If I need strength, the Bible reminds me to connect with God through prayer.

When God created the first garden, Eden, He already had plans in place to care for us. He has never abandoned His people, His creation. He has never just walked away and said He’s had it with us sinners. Rather, He continues to shine His grace, His mercy, His love, and His forgiveness upon us.

We should do the same in our spiritual gardens. God can work through each of us, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to plant and grow gardens of faith. Our acts can be as simple as reading a Bible story to a child, inviting a friend to church, volunteering to help those in need, sending an encouraging card or text, praying for others, living a God-pleasing life... The opportunities are limitless to expand and grow our spiritual gardens.

No matter your gardening skills, God can use you. To sing His praises in a church choir. To teach little ones. To lead Bible studies. To engage youth. To serve meals. To empathize. To offer care and encouragement. To sew quilts for the homeless, build houses through Habitat for Humanity. To rock babies. And, if you really are a gifted earthly gardener, to share God’s bounty of garden-fresh vegetables and flowers with non-gardeners like me.

Audrey Kletscher Helbling lives in the Bold North of Minnesota, where the growing season is short, but the enthusiasm for gardening long. She appreciates family and friends who share their garden bounty with her. That includes gardeners who have left floral bouquets on her driveway and those who have welcomed her to raid their rhubarb patches and vegetable gardens.