Spinach
Written by Tim MacGowan
My spinach appeared from beneath the dirt this weekend and is now organizing itself in neat, little rows in preparation for being harvested around Easter. I planted the seeds on March 11th so I was anticipating the arrival around the 20th and was not disappointed.
Gardening is cheap therapy. The lessons are plenteous and profound. Putting my hands in the dirt and checking on the daily progress of the crop reminds me of so many spiritual truths that it’s hard to remember them all. Today the spinach got me thinking about providence. Providence is the doctrine that God exercises detailed control of his creation. We find it described in passages like Matthew 10:29 where Jesus says,
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father."
Some of the seeds I planted germinated and some didn’t (or at least they haven’t yet). It seems like such a minor point. And in fact, when I sow the seed, I intentionally plant more seeds than I will need knowing that some won’t germinate and some will be removed. But God knows each seed in my little garden. Some he calls to burst forth from the husk and some not. And he knows you and me too. I am planting my life into the soil of my family, the church, and anywhere my Father in heaven my care to sow my life. I trust in His plan to bring life forth at his discretion. It’s good to garden.