ONE ROCK AT A TIME

I have several projects goings--as per my usual, BUT the one which is trying my patience and my back is moving rocks.  My new to me house has the bones of a good garden--from three owners back, it was tended and cultivated by a master gardener.  Master Gardeners tend to think more is better--be it plants, trees or grass.  After the master gardener came two sets of owners who were not into gardening--to each his own.  Before I even moved in--I started working on the jungle that came with the house.  Dead trees, over grown plants, dropped limbs, weeds galore, AND misplaced rocks.  The rock theme is common in Texas gardens since water is an issue.  I love rocks---almost as much as I love trees, BUT with two sets of owners who were not diligent, there are rocks now in the strangest of places all over the yard.

Currently I am moving small black rocks from various places in the yard to the base of the huge pecan tree by the street.  First the weeds were literally dug-jerked up (not to say they are not still trying to grow).  Then I moved a series of rock steps to surround the base of the tree.  NOW, I am down to the nitty gritty of moving one rock at a time from mainly the back yard to the front yard to finish out this area by surrounding the steps with them.  There is NO short cut to this--I have thought it through.  The rocks have to be picked up--rocks can look really nice, but not with willy nilly placement throughout the yard.  SO, I am systematically picking up the rocks--tossing them in a tub and rehoming them to the area under the tree.  NOW---you might think--just go buy more rock and put under that tree.  Sounds great, BUT the rocks strewn all over the yard still have to be picked up.  If I am going to have to pick them up sooner or later---why not conserve and use them again?  Think about it--every individual rock has to first be picked up and then rehomed.  Two touches---EVERY SINGLE ROCK.  NOW THAT WILL GROW YOUR PATIENCE.   BUT, I can already see how much I am going to like this, and it makes good use of non-living garden material which does not require water.  Sounds like a win---but it already has and will continue to take much time and patience.  I already know how happy I am going to be though when the job is done. 

So it is with our spiritual lives, we need to daily cultivate those roots, water and feed them and keep the jungle at bay.  With careful tending our spiritual gardens will develop into eternal gardens---gardens of paradise.  As I ponder this lesson, I realize our gardens are a reflection of the beauty of God's creation.  There is no earthly beauty which can surpass a well tended garden.  A glimpse of what is to come---with careful tending and care.   

"For the Lord comforts Zion;

He comforts all her waste places

and makes her wilderness like Eden,

her desert like the garden of the Lord;

joy and gladness will be found in her,

thanksgiving and the voice of song."

Isaiah 51:3