While My Hands Are Covered In Dirt

April 30, 2014

Over the last few weeks, it hasn't really felt like February. We've had blue skies, beautiful sunsets, and temperatures that reached 70. It may be February, but the first weeds are here. The first weeds that pop up bring me great joy only because they remind me that it won't be long before I'll be back in the dirt once again.

I found myself working in the yard yesterday. I grabbed a bucket and a pair of scissors. I collected leaves that had blown in over the winter and trimmed back a few things that I didn't get trimmed before the cold set in. This is by far my favorite part of gardening. I love preparing the ground for the gardening season to come and beginning to research and plan out the year's gardens.

I started in my mint patch. Four years ago my friend Heidi gave me a cutting from her mint and told me how to get it going. I put it in the ground and was delighted when it came back the next spring. I love that mint. It came from one of my best friends, it practically grows itself, and it's always one of the first things to green up each spring.

Well, last fall I didn't get it cut back and the black tangle has been taunting me all winter. Yesterday was the day to put an end to all of that. As I was working, I realized that I smelled something...Mint! There I was cutting back and ripping apart mint that couldn't possibly be any deader and yet I smelled the fragrance just as if it was the middle of summer. As I always do, I got to thinking...

I want to be like that mint.

When things are a tangled mess of death and dying, I want to have the same "fragrance" about me that I have when it's a mid-summer day. I want to shock myself and those around me with refreshment, especially when that is the last thing on any of our minds. I want to come out of winter bursting with life, before winter is ever even over.

By the grace of God, that's actually exactly what I'm called to be.

I am the tangled mess and yet He has put new life in me. This life spills out and onto those around me as I walk in communion with Him. I "smell" like joy and peace and His glory is made known. Of course, this isn't always the case...I have a way of delighting in the tangled mess. But, the fact is, the joy and peace remain and the glory won't be hidden forever. 

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. " 1 Peter 1:9

It may be February and winter weather may return, but I've been in my garden and God's already started teaching me things while my hands are covered in dirt.  What's He teaching you?

ps - It's time for another round of Ask & Answer on Friday. 

If you have any questions, ask away!