Morning Glories

Maybe you’re like me, a non-gardener. Oh, I know how to weed. I know to cut the grass once a week. I know plants need water daily especially during a heat wave. But that is pretty much the extent of my gardening expertise.

Last summer we had our entire overgrown yard scrapped off and replanted. We were having a drainage problem fixed and decided to fix the top at the same time. That is how I came to have morning glories growing on an arbor in my backyard.

Non- gardeners relate to gardening metaphors differently than those who till the soil. We get it in our heads we see the facts of the illustration but there is not always the smile of recognition or the nod of agreement. I think a tiny something is lost in the translation. I am on the other side of the fence now. Here’s what I mean . . .

Last summer I had a dirt yard. This summer I’m taking care of morning glories. I am the one training the vines to climb over the arbor rather than into my neighbor’s yard. It feels very different to be in charge instead of just admiring someone else’s garden. I am engaged.

I waited for the vines to grow tall enough to reach the top of the arbor. I waited for the flowers to bloom. It took months. I was excited when the first blossoms fell open one morning, a lovely cobalt blue. By evening the flowers were curling in and a fading purple color. First I thought I had failed. Not enough water on a hot day. Then I thought I should pull off all the fading flowers, fortunately I didn’t.

The next morning the lovely cobalt blue discs were back. WOW. The non-gardeners are going “Yeah, sure, fine, and a nice little story of renewal.” But I was amazed. Now I wake up each morning open the blinds and smile at my morning glories. Each morning they are full and rich blue. Each evening they are tired and faded. I feel just like them. Each morning I am fresh and ready to go. Each evening I am tired and lost my spring. What is true in my garden, is true for me. The sun beats down on my garden and life beats down on me. Both find renewal in the morning. If God can refresh a delicate flower from 100° heat surely He can renew me from the effects of my day.

If you are a non-gardener don’t despair, there is a metaphor for you. I can’t relate to golfers, accountants, or carpenters but I understand knitters, readers and cooks. We each have a language (or two) we understand. I am always on the lookout for a metaphor, a comparison, a glimpse of anything to help me make sense of God touching my world. Last summer I wasn’t a gardener, this summer I am. I caught a glimpse of blue in my garden and I got a sense of renewal. What did you catch a glimpse of today that showed you God in your world?

Posted 7/28/2006 @ 8:34 PM | Weekly Thoughts