Sisyphus Acres

A View From God's Country

I am ready to get my hands in the dirt and start my garden againÂ…

As I try to coax new life from the cold and frozen ground, the icy grip of winter releasing, I take pause to reflect on the promise of spring, on renewal and rebirth ~ the tremendous blessing of the Easter miracle.

This is the time of year that planning begins for the garden.  I have spent January and February poring over seed catalogs, looking for just the right varieties ~ seeds that will do well in a cold weather climate, organically raised, non-hybrids so that I can try my hand at saving seed this year.  It is yet another step in our journey toward better stewardship.

The Lord has blessed us with our family and friends, placed us in the beautiful country, and provided us the physical things we have.  WeÂ’ve been blessed with good soil here, and it would be a waste not to be diligent stewards of this blessing.

I have to admit, I have not always been a good steward of the LordÂ’s blessings, in fact, at times I have taken blessings for granted, misused them, squandered them.  Not any moreÂ…

I have learned about being a good steward through my work in the garden.

Gardening teaches the value of diligent stewardship, and the consequences of poor stewardship.  For a garden to be successful, you must plan it carefully.  The soil needs to be prepared, turned, fertilized, and worked to receive the seed.  You need to plant good strong seed, acclimated to your location and growing season, and sowed properly.  Your garden needs to be provided enough sunshine and water.  Weeding (need I say more?).  Thinning. Staking. Pest control (organic of course).

Now itÂ’s July, and the beach beckons ~ you take off for a weekÂ…or twoÂ…

What you return to could be a disaster. 

This same fate befalls our spiritual life when we ignore stewardship.  Stewardship is a matter of obedience to the Lord, a matter of Him entrusting blessings to us in expectation that we will increase them to His glory and honor.  As illustrated by Christ in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), we are expected to constantly work with and improve upon the gifts God has given us.

Stewardship is not about money; it is about blessings.  It is about paying them forward, increasing the value of your blessings by using them to their fullest for the glory of the Kingdom.

Stewardship is not an idea ~ it is an action.  It doesnÂ’t have to be a drastic action ~ baby steps work.  Stewardship is a journey; each time you take a step toward simplifying your lives you take a step forward.  Each time you step away from the TV to spend time with your children ~ it is a step forward.  Each time you tithe what you should you take a step forward.  Each time you help a neighbor, or a stranger for that matter, you take a step forward. 

Each step forward reveals a gift, be it a less stressful life, a better relationship with your child, a new capacity to help others ~ each gift is a testament to the goodness of our Lord, a new blessing, meant to be worked with and improved upon for His glory. 

Each time my spade hits the dirt, each time I plant a seed, each time I am able to bless my neighbor with bounty from my garden, I take a step forward.  A gift. A step. The path. My journey.

Amen, Sister...

{ 11:53, 2006-Mar-17 } { Posted by DonnaJoy }

what a great post - really spoke to my spirit today!! Thank you!!
Love the rooms - Kelsi's room looks kinda like Hannah's - Kelsi has green and pink walls!!
Can't wait to see the rest of your house!!! I lvoe to see everyone's style -
Mine is very ecclectic - most thrift shop and garage sale!!
Bless...
Donna