1 Corinthians 3:6-8 (NKJV) 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
As evening approached a cool breeze kicked up providing relief from the sweltering relentless humidity and heat of the day. Irene decided to take advantage of the brief respite and venture out for a walk through her neighborhood before retiring for the night in her usual place alone in front of the television.
Across the street the Miller children were running around the yard giggling and screeching as their father sprayed them with the garden hose. That must feel good she thought with a smile thinking back to her own childhood spending her summers with her grandparents at their lake house.
As she walked past the Perry’s she could see a group of people gathered on the back patio talking and laughing while Pete Perry tended to the barbecue. Irene inhaled deeply to take in the aroma of something wonderful cooking on the grill. She stopped and closed her eyes so that her senses could soak in the summer evening. When she opened her eyes she saw Pete waving his cooking tongs in the air at her. Startled she waved back, put her head down and continued her walk.
Two houses further down her street the world was much quieter. To her right was a small very old brick house with a rickety white fence in need of painting. In the yard on the North side of the house she saw her dear friend Macy with a wide-rimmed yellow garden hat and green garden gloves kneeling on the ground delicately pulling weeds from between the vegetables in her garden.
“What do you think you are doing Macy?” she called out from the street.
Macy looked up surprised yet delighted to hear Irene’s voice. “What does it look like I am doing?” she retorted and then “Where have you been?”
Macy stood up and walked up to the fence unlatching the gate to invite Irene to come in. “It is good to see you Irene. It has been a long time. Would you like some iced tea?”
Irene nodded and smiled.
They sat on dusty plastic green lawn chairs near Macy’s garden sipping the cool lemony iced tea and Macy whispered, “Irene, I haven’t seen you since Burt’s funeral. How are you doing?”
Irene gulped back her tears still raw with emotion and said that she just simply could not leave the house or talk to anyone the last two months. Today for some reason, she felt like venturing out. “I am sorry that I didn’t return your calls.” she said sadly. “You have always been a good friend to me.”
Macy patted Irene’s hand and smile and said, “You needed your space and time to grieve. I am glad that you came out today. I have missed you. How do you like my garden?”
“It is beautiful, but isn’t it a lot of work? Especially all that weeding?” Irene remarked with a grimace.
Macy smiled, looking down at her calloused hands. “Yes, it is a lot of work getting the soil ready, planting the seeds, watering and the most important part is the weeding. If I don’t weed the garden every day while the weeds are small they will take over and destroy my beautiful plants and the vegetables that I look forward to harvesting. The weeding is necessary and always worthwhile!"
They sat quietly for a few minutes looking at the garden, enjoying the peaceful evening and each other’s company.
“My garden reminds me of the garden in our hearts, the one that God keeps there. He plants the seeds of faith, hope and love and nourishes us with his word so that we can grow in our faith and strengthen our relationship with him. It is up to us to keep the garden weeded and if we are not diligent we may allow the weeds of anger, anxiety, bitterness, grudges, greed and selfishness to take over and choke out all of His beautiful work. "
Irene had tears streaming down her cheeks. “I have been foolish to lock myself away from God and from you for so long. I was so angry and filled with resentment and pain that I closed my heart to everyone and let the weeds grow. Please forgive me.”
Macy reached out to hug Irene. “You are my dear friend and I love you. I am so proud of you for coming out today. These past few months must have been so difficult for you. You have been in my prayers every day. Please know that you are not alone. We all struggle with the chore of weeding the garden of our hearts, but with God’s love and our diligence the blessed harvest will come.”
As darkness fell Macy walked Irene home in the comfortable silence of friendship and a faith that lasts forever. The Gardener smiled.
Isaiah 51:3 (KJ) For the Lord shall comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places, and He will make her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody.
"Gardening is a way of showing that you believe in tomorrow.” Unknown
"Kiss of the sun for pardon. Song of the birds for mirth. You're closer to God's heart in a garden than any place else on earth." -- Dorothy Frances Gurney
