Your Life is Being Gardened

“I’m making things better. Just wait and see, I promise.”

We were pulling weeds, uprooting tomato plants for potting, pruning our overgrown rose bush, rearranging furniture, and sweeping the dirt from our patio. We were getting the garden ready for the summer.

With each task, I noticed a slew of ants, rollie pollies, beetles, slugs, and other bugs scattered to find safety. 

In previous years, I never really thought about this much. This time it was different. While watching the bugs scurry, I began imagining what it felt like for them to have their whole life uprooted and tossed around so suddenly. It was probably terrifying. Catastrophic, even. 

While laying down fresh, organic mulch to replace the dirt that became dry and ash-like during the winter, I couldn’t help muttering to the critters, “I’m so sorry little guys. I’m just making this a better place. Just wait and see, I promise.” Then this thought hit me…

How often is God beside us whispering the same thing? 

When our worlds get shaken up. When life suddenly knocks us off our feet. When it feels like everything is falling apart. How often is God gardening our lives in those moments? Watching us compassionately as he tills the soil of our reality, hoping we hear him when he says, “Just hang in there. I’m making things better. Just wait and see, I promise.”