Lessons from the Garden: Enough

I never grow tired of watching them... the nursery of seedlings that sprout this time of year.

I wish I could adequately describe how this slow and amazing process contents my soul.

Perhaps its because there is little I can do, save water and time, to make green things grow. I cannot quicken its pace, nor take credit for its fruit. There is comfort and joy in enjoying the process. It is so tempting to think of how fruitful these little plants will be in the days to come... but today, these seedlings are enough.

I was reading Proverbs 27.

(1) Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. 

The first sentence a life-long lesson in itself.

But that's how the chapter starts: Do not boast.

The next twenty-four verses remind us that there is much to consider.

Who knows what we will face? It could be the empty ringing of selfish praise. It could be the burden of fools, or a rebuke in love. Will we be sharpened or wounded by a friend? Will concerns over the lost, the found, spouses, enemies, children, neighbors, our own attitudes and desires be addressed? The list seems endless but isn't exhaustive, and then suddenly... in verse 25 the topic switches to gardening.

As I stand and stare at these little beginnings of green, I get it. The Writer has gardened the field, now He'll garden the heart.

We shouldn't boast in anything, because hope, given to us today, is more than we can carry.

(25)When the hay is removed and new grass appears... it will be enough. (27)

Not if.

Not maybe.

When.

And in that when, there will be enough (v27).

In all these things,-  in the all of this life - winter comes. But beneath the fallout of winters there is new growth, even as we are unaware. That new growth will sustain us.

It will be enough.