“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:1-2

It’s spring in my part of the world. Flowers are blooming, birds singing, trees budding, the sights of new life popping up everywhere, and it’s time to start planting those gardens. Do you enjoy gardens?

My husband and I both grew up helping in our family gardens. As time went on we cultivated our own. Together, we turned the soil, planted the seeds, harvested the crops, and enjoyed the blessing of our labor–fresh fruits and vegetables.

Early in the morning on November 19, 2022, my world changed instantly when my husband’s heart stopped and he went to be with his savior who he dearly loved. I felt as though a part of my heart went with him that day. In the weeks to follow I felt his absence everywhere–in his workshop, in the house, beside me as I sat in church, walking in the yard with me; and as time came to plant our garden, I missed my garden mate.

LEARNING TO GROW MORE

When spring arrived, a friend began to encourage me to take a Master Gardener class at our local college. I actually had NO desire to take the class but her continued persistence paid off and in a few weeks I yielded to her request. As a country girl, I thought I already knew a fairly good amount about gardening, but as the classes progressed, I realized I had much to learn. Along with the knowledge of cultivating and conditioning the soil, I learned the correct way to prune trees, bushes, and vines. 

While I was learning to improve my gardening skills, I felt the true Master Gardener teaching me something much deeper. Jesus, the True Vine, demonstrated His love and obedience to the Father in complete submission to His will. The Vine places His complete trust in the Gardener’s careful hands, just as the branches must place their trust in the vine.

LET THE MASTER TEND YOUR GARDEN

I have found that everything in our lives, whether by our own decisions or as a product of this fallen world, can be cultivated by the hand of our Master Gardener to strengthen and grow us into a beautiful and useful part of the Father’s plan. He wastes nothing. He can take our brokenness, our pain, and our dreams, mix them with His purpose, fertilize them with His love, and grow healthy fruit for the Father’s plan.

Though life looks different now, I know the Master Gardener is not finished with me yet. With every new season, He is planting seeds of hope, healing, and joy. What He cultivates in us through every loss and every new beginning will one day burst into full bloom, a garden more beautiful than we could ever imagine. And we can trust that in His perfect care, the best is still yet to come.