Appreciating the Rain!

I had planned to enjoy the sunshine today but instead, I find myself watching the raindrops and appreciating the cooler air…a relief from all the heat we have had!

The rain is wonderful for my garden.

Gardening brings much joy. In order for a garden to grow, both the sunshine and the rain are required.  In your life, the storms and the winds often build stronger roots.  You may not be able to see it at the time, when things seem the most difficult.  The struggles you have will help you to have a better sense of who you are. If you embrace your challenges and face them, they will help you become a stronger person. 

Occasionally it is difficult to see the weeds in your garden.  When they first appear, you may think that they are actually sprouts of new plants.  However, as they get bigger, it because more obvious that they are weeds, and do not belong in your garden.  When you pull them out and put them in a compost pile, you turn the weeds into fertilizer for your garden.  Likewise, you can use the hurtful and painful things in your life to nurture your soul.

It may be time in your life to pull out the weeds and get rid of the dead leaves.  Plan what you want your life to be like.  Try to visualize the end result.  As your get rid of unwanted weeds, there may be volunteer plants that appear, which you did not expect, but you can embrace them, and work around them.  Sometimes the flowers that come up as a surprise add some variety and extra beauty.

In the early part of spring, it may seem that the garden grows very slowly.  But later in the season, the plants may overwhelm you.  At first there is one zucchini, and then there are many!  In your life you may experience both slow and rapid growth.  Even after the plants begin to grow, you cannot just leave them unattended.    The soil needs to continue to be tilled in order to keep out the weeds, and you need to fertilize your garden.  Some plants will also need to be pruned.  A healthy raspberry bush will overtake your garden if it is not pruned.  Therefore, it is important to continue to be aware of what you want in your garden, and be in charge of the plants so that you get what you want.  Likewise, relationships need to be nurtured.

Another important thing to remember about beautiful gardens is that you may share them with others.  When people see your lovely flowers, they may ask for seeds or starts of plants.  Sharing what you have reaped is a way to connect with others.  I delight in seeing flowers that began from plants at my mother’s yard.  Gardens are another way of sharing with family and friends.

As you look at your life and relationships, remember the garden.  Are their things in your life that you need to weed out?  What seeds do you want to plant?  What do you need to do to encourage growth and intimacy in your relationships?  Remember, you are the gardener for your life!