gardening ...

SOOO, I love the power of suggestion!  I came home tonight to mow grass (my Mom asked me today if I really mow as often as I say I do ... unfortunately, it's still an every week thing!)  ... one of my neighbors was out mowing ... and before I finished so were three more.  It's kind of one of those things that starts a trend in my neighborhood.  Someone starts a mower ... and then everyone feels guilty.  At least that's how it works for me!  I would much rather be on the starting the trend end ... than on the trying to keep up end. 

I decided that I was gonna have to do something about my front flower bed as well.  See, I let it go all summer.  Didn't weed (too hot/takes too long) and didn't trim the shrubs (yep, I stink at that!).  So, I'll let you imagine how horrible it looked (too embarrassed to chronicle that for posterity!).  It looked bad.  Looks better. 

And then, there are the pots on the front porch and the patio.  Patio = completely dead (DNR!!)

Front porch plants are still (barely) hanging on for dear life ... just because they get a little water every now and then ... and I see them every day when I drive into the driveway.  I STINK at growing stuff.  It's not that I don't know how.  I know ... I even buy the appropriate plants for the amount of sun I have.  I have all the tools: water hose, spade, rake, etc.  I know MOST plants do pretty well with adequate water.  I just am not too good at providing that water!!

It's State Missions season here in Georgia.  And with that, we get the privilege of speaking at lots of churches.  The theme this year is "planting the gospel."  Yesterday, I was sharing with the church how much I STINK at growing stuff.  And you know why that is?  It's really because I don't care enough.  I want pretty flowers and a beautiful yard.  I wanted to grow my own herbs and veggies (planted them on the back patio back in May) ... but I didn't want them bad enough to take care of them every day.  Same is true with planting the gospel.  I have all the tools.  I know what to do.  And I even start well.  But there is something about the everyday care that it takes to grow something, I just don't care enough to keep up.  Praying God gives me the perseverance for HIS harvest.