Life In The Garden

One of the many things I enjoy in summer is planting and maintaining a garden.  I didn't have much of a green thumb until my father came over a few years ago and shared in his knowledge of planting.  He always enjoyed gardening and what's better than having fresh fruits and vegetables all summer long?  I spent the entire morning doing yard work, which including pulling a massive amount of weeds.  If there's one thing I haven't learned it's how to keep those annoying weeds from taking over.  However, spending time in the dirt definitely gave me a chance to have some peace under the burning sunshine and there's something breathtaking about that.  I also discovered that life is starting to bloom.

I can't wait until these tomatoes, peppers and everything else that's planted is ready to pick and enjoy.  I add the tomatoes and peppers to my homemade tomato sauce.  This year I am growing jalapenos, which is one of my husband's favorites.  I'm sure he'll be the only one sinking his teeth into those.

A garden is so much like life.  You've got the bad (the weeds) and the good (the fruits and veggies).  Sometimes we have to mess through the bad before getting to the good.  The digging, the getting messy in dirt, and the pulling weeds is so time consuming but the reward in the end is the best ... and delicious.  I've had a chance to think about a lot while working in the garden today.  I tried having a peaceful conversation with God and just enjoying the moment but I could definitely feel the devil try to seep in.  I started thinking a lot about the past and the mistakes I've made along the way.  The "should of" "could have" "would have" kept coming to mind.  I should have done this when this particular thing happened.  I should not have handled this situation the way I did.  I wish I would have said this to that person when I had the chance.  Those thoughts.  Have you ever had those thoughts?  With those thoughts comes a feeling of depression; something typical for me and maybe the reason why I have those thoughts.  While I was pulling weeds I was going through so many negative thoughts in my head.  Then I spotted the vegetables and fruit starting to grow in the garden and it made me realize that even with the bad comes the good.  I may not have made some good choices in my life but it all lead me to where I am today.  I may have reasons in my life to feel sorrow but I have plenty of reasons to be thankful.  I'm going to try and focus on the many things that are good and bring me joy.  Like these vegetables and fruit that will soon fill the bellies of me and my family.  Life is good.