Jun. 16, 2008 - ~Learning About Variety~
We have just finished another whirl-wind weekend. With Fathers day and my grandmothers 80th birthday, I am spent! Yet during all the hoop-lah of each event we were able to take some time for the finer things in life... gardening at the top of the list of course 
Early yesterday morning hubby and I headed out to check on our patch of squash. We were hoping to see lots of critters in our squash garden - and that's just what we saw! Our squash patch has been so very silent during these past weeks of growing, but now that the blooms are out every critter in the neighborhood has found out about our secret garden. This is very exciting and just what we were hoping for!
Hubby and I watched as one lonely bee came buzzing by. He flew around the garden and landed in one of the giant yellow blossoms. He sat in that bloom for about 3 minutes, working, sniffing, whatever it is that bees do, then just as suddenly as he flew in....he flew out. He was gone for about 2 minutes before he was back again (at least I think it was the same bee). This time he flew in to another blossom and instead of picking and sniffing, began to roll around inside that big bloom much like a pig does slop. So interesting to see!
I've read about these sort of things, but I've never experienced them first hand like we're doing now. I have read countless books to the children about God's creation, animals, insects, seeds and growth, but I have never learned so much as I am learning now! It's one thing to read about something, another to experience the thing first hand.
The best part about putting our hands to the earth and having something grow is how it speaks to you about other things.... more important things. I think this may be one reason why the Lord announced that consequence on Adam and Eve way back in the beginning days of Genesis. There is so much more to gardening, to growing, than just plopping the seeds in to the ground and being blessed with food. And there's a mystery as to the multitude of things that has crossed my mind while tending to these little seedlings.....
Over and over again our little crop has ministered to me about our children and my own nature as well. About sin, the 'type' of seed they/we are, and the soil, sun, and nourishment each individual needs. The environment for each of my seedlings are basically the same..... they need good soil, sun, and water to grow. But there are a multitude of differences as well.
Some need pollination. Some do not. Some may be planted during Spring and Winter, and some only during Summer time. Some insects do not seem to bother one plant, but can literally obliterate another. There are strengths and weaknesses for each variety. Each has it's own peculiar way.......
I suppose that's one of the unique lessons I am learning these days. Each of our seedlings are unique. The Lord has blessed us with 6 of the human variety and each one is so incredibly peculiar. Each has strengths and weaknesses, personalities and traits, and each created quite unique by the Lord himself.
As one of my little guys is more sensitive, I am blessed with knowledge and discernment as to how to guide him with the strengths and weaknesses of his gift. One sees very plainly, very black and white. This also is a gift from the Lord. Several are creative - This is how the Lord created them and it is my job to help develop their unique personality, cultivating for their full potential.
How horribly plain to have a diet of 100% squash! No onions for flavor, no salad on the side, no other variety at all..... Nothing but squash! And how horribly plain and boring would be our home as well! I am reflecting and thanking the Lord for variety today!
Comments
Jun. 16, 2008 - Thanks
Posted by Anonymous
Thank you for reminding us that God has created us all with our own set of strengths and weaknesses and how dull life would be if He had created us all the same.
Jesus gave us such an example in the choosing of His disciples, each with strengths and weaknesses that are exposed throughout scripture, these same God uses to fulfill His purpose in our lives and the lives of those around us.
Thank you again for sharing your heart.
