Gardens, Growth & God

I was a bit late getting my garden started this year. As neighbors are bringing in their fresh yields (both to my porch and the food sharing shed), my lettuce is barely above ground. At best, 50% of the carrots seem to be progressing, and I managed to wipe out my few nascent dill sprouts with some careless weeding.

The only thing abundant in the parsonage garden so far is the cilantro that reseeded itself from last year. The stalks are quite giant, and while I haven’t seen a bird nest in them yet (as the mustard seed parable goes), let’s just say there’s evidence that birds are nearby.

No matter. Instead of bemoaning yet another “failed” attempt at agriculture, I’ve found that the time I do get to spend in the garden—even if the moments are few and far between—is more restorative than frustrating. Growth is happening despite my mixed levels of effort and intention. Several squash and zucchini plants, if a bit behind schedule, look rather promising. And there’s nothing like the scent of freshly watered cilantro plants wafting on the evening breeze.

In the garden, we can see evidence of the growth that is (and isn’t) taking place. And though we might pride ourselves on some of the efforts, we know there are factors beyond our control in the growing process.

Other growth is less visible, but similar principles apply. Sometimes we take the time to consciously work on ourselves or take stock of the ways we’ve grown as people, a community, a family. But more often than not, the growth happens when we’re less aware, at a pace that may or may not be what we anticipated, and with results that might surprise.

This summer, our outdoor worship will be geared toward reflection on that growth—planned, unplanned, fruitful and less so. We’ll have opportunity to be honest about the ways things haven’t gone the way we’d hoped, as well as the blessings we didn’t see coming. It’s my prayer that this opportunity will be one of refreshment, like the scent of freshly watered, semi-wild herbs, despite whatever mischief those birds are up to.

I hope you’ll join in our outdoor worship, beginning this week with our joint service with other churches. If remote connection is more accessible, consider joining in the study of the Gospel of Thomas (see below), which will meet via Zoom beginning July 14. And if you’re ready for a deep dive, registration is now open for A Long Talk, the anti-racism activation experience I’ve written about before.

Whatever we get up to this summer, may it lead to the growth and learning that God blesses.

Pastor Jen