Winter Gardening (or not)

I left my garden to fend for itself this winter and to my delight I have had spinach and parsley growing without any damage from the recent snow and frost we had! My grandson Adin and I spent a few hours weeding the strawberry patch Saturday and saw many flowers on them. Adin is only two and learned all about worms and their benefit in the garden, He named the worm he found “Squishy!” In fact, all nine of our grandkids love the garden. I hope to let them all plant something in a special place just for them this year. They all helped pick fruits and veggies and made salsa last year! It’s a wonderful classroom!

“Yes, in the poor man’s garden grow

Far more than herbs and flowers-

Kind thoughts, contentment, peace of mind,

And joy for weary hours.” MARY HOWITT, The Poor Man’s Garden

Joshua, Ben and Noah learning in the garden! I wish I had a picture of “Squishy” and Adin! Next time.

A Good Word

There are ten definitions in Webster's 1828 Dictionary for the word liberty.  I have chosen #5.

Religious liberty, is the free right of adopting and enjoying opinions on religious subjects, and of worshiping the Supreme Being according to the dictates of conscience, without external control.

When God Calls

He will equip. When He calls you into the Family of God, His Spirit equips you to live as a Child of His.

When He unites two people in marriage He will equip them to love and serve one another by becoming one. He will equip them to love and train their children in His ways.

Yes, he does all this but, (and I have learned to remember that three-lettered word, but), I have to be willing to let Him do a good work in me without getting in the way. It's hard to do sometimes. However, it's all self talk and listening to the Lord. I listen by reading the Word and praying.  I can discipline and renew my thinking by applying His Word to my heart and let it take root. It has to be rooted in my willing heart. And because Jesus is an intimate friend I can trust Him to instruct me, He will never require me to do anything that is not for my ultimate good.  I have to often remind myself that the way I treat others should be the way I would treat Jesus. Those reminders help me to battle negative thoughts.  With His help I can get passed anger, hurt, resentment and bitterness, forgiving myself and others.  Of course if I didn't have ugly thoughts I wouldn't know just how unbecoming I can be sometimes.

What has He called you to?