Gardener by Creation

Genesis 2:4-5:  This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens— and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground

In God’s original plan Adam, the first man, would be a gardener in Eden.  Apparently man was as necessary as rain to the propagation of plant life.  The very first time I dug in the dirt and planted a seed, I knew I was a gardener by heart.  In time I came to learn that God made man a gardener at the beginning of creation probably because God Himself was a Gardener:

Genesis 2:8-9:  Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.  And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  

Winter has arrived with its gray skies and treacherous traveling.  But, as a gardener by creation, I am content to stay indoors planning my gardens for the new year.  I am not discouraged watching the snow cover the ground and freeze one day and melt away again the next because I see my gardens as a work in progress.  Yes, it looks like a bunch of dead sticks out there but I can imagine the lush green of summer as God works His wonders with my “plants of the field”.  God is more than able to coax life and color out of the brown mud of spring.  Spring bulbs hiding beneath winter’s chill are already preparing for their big spring event!

Genesis 2:15  The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

 

I get a real sense of accomplishment thinking back to past gardening projects – even the ones that didn’t work out so well.  I pray for the strength to see this new gardening season through to the end.  Then God will cover my gardens with a blanket of snow once more to await the warmth of spring.

Love as always,  Elaine (sorting seed packets)