Lessons from the Garden

I love gardening!  Every year my sweet family takes me out shopping for Mother’s Day for flowers…. the “dirt kind”, NOT the “vase kind.”  This year I found some beautiful rose bushes, which reminded me of a lesson God taught me several summers ago that centered around rose bushes.  Andrew, my oldest was eight at the time and LOVED to “help” me.

Have you ever had the experience of time moving in slow motion, almost like it was a dream? Time seems to stand still as many things happen all at the same moment. That was the feeling I experienced  as I walked around the house to the backyard and saw my son,  clippers in hand, with a sweet childish grin planted on his face.  I looked past him, and spotted my mangled rose bushes. What had been healthy, beautiful, HUGE bushes, many stems already budding, now lay on the ground around half inch stubs- the only thing left of my bushes.

The look on my face must have given away the horror that was building up inside of me!  The look on his face turned from pride and joy to regret and sadness, all in the same moment. His sense of satisfaction for “helping” mom with a task, and doing the job oh so well disappeared quickly as he figured out he had done something wrong.  And, if there had been any confusion about how I felt, it disappeared when I began to sob loudly!

“Mom, I trimmed the weeds away so you could plant your roses!” Andrew said quietly.

My son knew how much I love “my” roses. I cut them all summer for fresh flowers inside of the house.  I love arranging beautiful bouquets. All summer, I cut flowers for friends and neighbors. These rose buses are so precious to me. Andrew wanted to help me by cutting away what he thought was weeds.  He hadn’t realized until he saw me that he had cut down the actual bushes!

As I looked at the bushes, grief and loss swept over me. And, anger began to rise. What had ever possessed him to cut the bushes down? Why didn’t he ask first? He knows better to use the clippers without asking! Through all of the emotions, I heard a gentle whisper, “mercy, grace, mercy, grace,” over and over. I knew the Holy Spirit was whispering to me to show my son mercy and give him grace.

By that time, my son, too, was crying. He needed affirmation that although he had done something terrible, Mommy forgave him.  I sat down on the landscaping block and wept uncontrollably. It took me a few minutes to regain my composure, but when I did,  I hugged my son and told him how much I loved him, and that I forgave him.

I could have lost my temper. I could have angrily punished him. I could have said things I would have regretted. But, the Holy Spirit, who helps us in our weakness, whispered words to me that were louder than any emotions or feelings that were buzzing all around me.  Through the power of God and His overflowing grace, I was able to teach life lessons to my son as I shared with him that God had helped me not to lose my temper. I told him how I heard the Spirit whisper “grace” and “mercy.” I taught my son that Jesus teaches us to forgive, even when something very painful has happened to us. I was able to share the “peace that passes all understanding” with him, as I explained how good it felt to let go of any angry feelings, and to offer him grace for making a mistake.  I was so thankful that God helped me to walk in the Spirit, not the flesh and react with love and tenderness instead of anger!  Several years (and many rose bushes) later, I can laugh at this experience and again thank God for helping me react with love and grace.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion and kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them in perfect unity.” –Colossians 3:12-14

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” –Ephesians 5:1-2

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.” –Ephesians 4:32

Father God, may I always react to people the way You would have me treat them. Thank You for the Holy Spirit who leads us and guides us. Give me a spirit of grace, mercy and forgiveness. May I be a reflection of You and of Your goodness. In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen.

Tracy

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