It’s that time of the year when we start cleaning up our yards and flower beds. We start thinking about the new flowers we want to plant. It takes time, work and commitment to have a nice garden–along with good soil, sunlight, water, weeding and space to grow. When it’s in full bloom, it’s so rewarding to see the fruits of our labor. It brings us enjoyment.
This past week Eva Marie Workshops hosted a workshop about gardening. Our discussions centered around questions like: what are you nurturing in your garden now? How will you cultivate your new spring garden?
We talked not only about our physical gardens but also the spiritual garden of our heart–all of our thoughts and actions (good or bad) stem from our heart. Whatever we feed, will grow. It’s important to reflect on what has taken root in the garden of our heart as not all seeds bear good fruit. We considered what kind of seeds we wanted to plant.
As we talked about our spiritual gardens, we all realized that there were changes we wanted to make; changes about what we were growing. Our list of changes was long! Poor time management, unhealthy eating habits, negative thinking, complaining, fear, anxiety, anger, resentment, sadness, loneliness and the list went on. In order to change our gardens, we needed to name our weeds.
Like our physical gardens, we can change our spiritual gardens. It can take time to implement the changes we want to make. We made a list of “good seeds” to counteract our weeds. We discussed how complaining could turn into gratitude; unhealthy eating habits into better eating habits; loneliness into volunteering; unforgiveness into forgiveness; negative thinking into positive thinking; sadness into happiness; anger into love and joy; fear into faith. Our original list grew into an even greater list!
So how do we cultivate this new garden? How would we nourish it? What tools would we need? For starters, we have to think about the words we speak to ourselves; are they true, kind, uplifting and loving? A gratitude journal can help us to reflect on the good things. Reading our Bible and praying can strengthen our roots and increase our faith. We can build community through sharing our thoughts and ideas with others, perhaps finding an accountability partner. If we want to change what we’re growing, then it has to be a priority.
It was exciting to see how the ideas for our new gardens offered us hope for better things ahead. It’ll take work and commitment, but our gardens will be beautiful and we’ll get to enjoy the fruits of our labor.
What do you want to cultivate in your physical or spiritual garden this spring?
Once again, another beautifully written post by you! Like weeds, which can take over the plants we wanted to grow, our “heart weeds” can take over all the things we wanted our heart to feel. Then, when the heart weeds take over, it’s more difficult to find our heart flowers, if any remain.
Thank you Colleen. You are so right it’s important that we protect our heart from weeds.
I wasn’t able to attend your workshop but I love the whole concept of prepping our “life garden”! I would love to use this approach & how we can apply it to our lives at my ladies luncheon in May..I will be in touch! God bless you for all you do to inspire & share Gods love with so many of us! Sending dossier hugs❤️
Thank you. I would love to help you in May. Talk to you soon.
I wasn’t able to attend your workshop but I love the whole concept of prepping our “life garden”! I would love to use this approach & how we can apply it to our lives at my ladies luncheon in May..I will be in touch! God bless you for all you do to inspire & share Gods love with so many of us! Sending dossier hugs❤️
Thank you, our “life garden” is similar to our garden. I would love to help you with your May meeting.
Through prayer and reading the word I will remove my fear and grow faith, remove my self judgment and judgment of others and grow a more authentic loving nurturing woman not just to others but to myself.
I love that Dawn. Knowing what you want to change and a plan to do it. I’m here to help you achieve it.
I will nourish my body by eating better, and regaining strength through my pulmonary rehab.
You are doing a great job. Praying for your health.
I really took home so much information and good advice; I’m still trying to process all that we covered in such a short period of time.
I plan to nourish my garden with good, healthy soil; just like all I do in my life to make healthy, wise choices.
Thank you, Marie, for this beautiful lesson.
God bless you and keep you safe.
Love your sister in Christ,
Karyn
Thank you for attending the workshop. I’m happy the lesson was valuable for you.
Love you
Marie