June was consumed with traveling to ancestral towns in Germany. So July meant it was time to take care of our “old Kentucky home.” My vegetable garden survived thanks to a neighbor watering it, but as I became friends again with my garden several spiritual insights bubbled up:
Planting & Cultivating Plants – In the heat of summer, it seemed wise to work in and water the garden in early morning – even before my usual prayer time. Previously, I would often listen to the radio to catch up on the news when gardening, but these days I decided that silence was better. Of course, I still heard the birds, but this quieter time enhanced deeper reflections. One thing I realized was that I had to loosen the dirt around the plants. They needed air and space to breathe and water to soak in. What makes stuff grow? What’s my role? What’s important in both plant and human life?
Weeding – Of course many weeds had found a welcome home in my garden. I realized how I needed to pull the whole weed out by the root, not just the visible top of the weed. If I didn’t get the whole weed, it would just come back stronger. (Perhaps human mistakes/faults are like this too.) Hmmm, but then again, I’m not an expert gardener. Just because I don’t recognize an emerging green growth doesn’t mean it’s a weed. Or, even if I didn’t plant it, does that mean it is bad? an enemy? In some cases I decided to just let these mystery sprouts grow just in case it was something valuable. (Later I found a beautiful, tall Sunflower had magically sprouted.😊)
Cards – But I can’t spend the whole rest of the day inside on my computer, cleaning, going to meetings, and eating, so… as evenings emerged, Jim and I resumed our custom of playing a couple card games at night. On one level I challenge myself thinking this is not productive time. But it is couple time; relaxation time. I stretch my brain thinking about what’s the best way to play my hand. One insight that is slowly seeping into my brain is that the best strategy is not necessarily to maximize my high cards but to consider how to best defend my hand. What is the other player most likely to do or need. Winning does not always come to the strongest hand but to playing even a weak hand wisely. Paying attention to what the “other” is likely to do and need is a valuable life insight.
Hmmm, spiritual insights are not only found in church or times of planned prayer. What helps you recognize value, the Spirit, meaning in your daily life?
