by Emma K. Jones

Created on: January 26, 2009

Gardening in the Moonlight

Years ago, on my little farm, I found myself gardening in the moonlight. I didn't actually choose to do that but that is how my circumstances played out that particular day.

I had spent the day doing all the household chores. Cleaning the house and mowing the lawn and before I knew it, the sun had set and I still wanted to get some flowers in the ground before calling it a day.

So with my flat of flowers, my little spade and a powerful flashlight, I began to plant my flowers. "How funny" I thought to myself. "This has got to be the craziest thing I have ever done." But I continued to work and enjoyed the silence.

It was quite different. The soil was warm from the day's heat and it felt good on my bare hands. The grass, moistened by a bit of dew, smelled sweet. Frogs in the nearby pond bellowed into the night and crickets played their music in step with one another.

My mind became quiet and I got lost in my gardening. I have always relaxed with gardening, but this evening was a true gift from God.

No competition from the kids needing my attention, the phone ringing, or neighbors stopping by to chat. No noisy lawnmowers or cars racing by. The temperature was neither hot nor cold but simply perfect.My mind was free to think and rejoice with my God and all his goodness.

I planted two flats of flowers before I knew it and wished I had had more. My rendezvous with Mother Nature was over and I went in the house to retire for the day.

Fast forward 7 years. New apartment and grown children and grandchildren living with me. Needless to say, it has been loud and crazy in my household and my thoughts have been racing for several days. There is always lots to do and so little time to do it. No time for myself and I am feeling resentful. So much so, my anger spews at my kids over small little things.

Today was breaking point for me as I hollered at everyone over everything. I locked myself in the bedroom and after a good cry, began to realize that I needed to get a grip. I tried to be still and let the words in the Bible speak to me. I took the time to feel and hear and see all the glorious wonders that God has given us all. I was able to find the peace I felt the evening of my gardening and reenergize my contented heart.

Stress and chaos is always going to be part of life, but I know, that if I get still and listen to God and obey his voice, things will get better for me. I need to make that time to be with him and rely of the assurance he gives. I live in an apartment now, so gardening is out of the question. But in my mind, when stress gets the better of me, I can always do a little gardening in the moonlight and let all my troubles melt away. And, I can invite the Master Gardener.

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