Planting & Watering

I love summer gardens. I love all the stages that go into having one — planning it out and the anticipation that begins to build, purchasing the seeds or plants, preparing the soil, planting and watering, weeding (well, maybe less so as the summer goes on), the harvest, and canning, freezing and sharing the bounty. What a joy it is to bite into the first tomato of the year or prepare a meal of fresh zucchini and squash, corn, and beans. That’s some good eatin’! Each stage has its own rhythm, its own needs to tend to. A wise gardener will be aware of those needs to try and keep ahead of any difficulties that come along or disasters that threaten.

Charlie loves gardening even more than I do. He loves each stage as well and spends hours each week tending and caring for the plants and fruit that he has so carefully planted. Since he loves it so much and is so good at it, I support him doing the bulk of the “outside” garden work while I tend to do the bulk of the “inside” garden work. That satisfies both of us and matches the gifts and interests we each bring to these important tasks. We are complementary in this way as we each do our part and then pass off to the other the next stage.

So too, the spiritual life. There are important stages for spiritual growth to occur as well. Coming to faith — accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior — is an essential, first step but hopefully it doesn’t stop there. Being discipled in Christ is equally important — learning what it means to follow Christ in all of life. This comes through wise, spiritual guides who help teach and shape us in faith. It comes from reading and studying the bible, attending church, developing a personal prayer life, developing friendships with other Christians, meeting with a spiritual director, being stretched by others who believe differently, and a whole myriad of other activities that develop our faith. As we are discipled, our faith grows and we apply our faith to daily life, lived out through action rather than just belief. As we learn to give more and more of our lives to Christ, to place him at the center, our desires become more closely attuned to God’s desires and amazing things happen! God will put us in situations that use our specific gifts and talents, personality quirks, and interests for God’s purposes. We will find that we’re able to do far more than we ever thought we were capable of. And our lives will have meaning and purpose that only God can provide.

I was blessed this past weekend to visit Worth, Gaynell, and Eric Jennings who have had a tremendous impact on my life. Worth is an Episcopal priest who first led me to Christ and then intensively discipled me along with Gaynell and others at St. Christopher’s. My life changed in a powerful way as I became a follower of Christ. Through the Holy Spirit, Worth planted the seeds of faith and watered them. Others have come along and also have had an important impact on my spiritual life … but Worth helped guide the first step of a lifelong commitment to Christ. For that, I am forever grateful to him.

May we each celebrate the spiritual guides who have impacted our lives in such important ways and led us deeper in faith.

~ Terri