Spring is a very busy season on the farm, my to do list never seems to get done and many of the tasks are physically demanding and time consuming. Sometimes in the middle, when I'm dirty, tired, and sore, I ask myself "Why am I doing this?" I think that answer is vitally important, because the 'why' is what keeps me going, even when it gets hard. I thought that maybe my 'why' might be meaningful to you too.
I began growing flowers because they were one way I could concretely see that God is good (Psalm 34:8). In my life there have been times when I have struggled to see the good, and the beauty that exists in the everyday. In my gardens I always appreciated the beauty of flowers, they helped me slow down, and savor the everyday moments. I loved seeing the genuine happiness that sharing them brought to others. Many times in my life I have focused on the utility of things, how they function and how long they last, and while flowers are certainly useful (they help reduce anxiety, promote creativity, and even improve mood), God used their short lives to teach me long lasting lessons, like my life is short too, in the grand scheme of things, and that I need to make every moment count.
Which brings me to today. I could just grow flowers for me, my family, and maybe my neighbors, but I'm not. I'm growing flowers for as many people as I can. I know that seeing the beauty of flowers, will help people see the goodness and beauty of God, and maybe realize that their time too is limited. I think many people right now are feeling the afraid, Covid-19 has reminded us that we are mortal, and we have a lot less control of our lives then we thought. Maybe that is why so many people want to see the beauty that is in nature all around us, it reminds us that God is good. In the midst of scary and uncertain times we can hold onto hope, because God is good, no matter our circumstances.
My 'Why' comes down to a simple word, hope.
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