My Hypocrite showing . . . again.

For years now, I have aspired to grow things.  I have read books, gone to classes, followed directions down to the "jot and tittle," yet I still managed to grow only dwarf plants that produced nothing and died within weeks of sprouting.  

This year a friend and I decided to try, yet again, planting our gardens from seed.  We went out to the gardening stores, hardware stores, and greenhouses to get our supplies.  Then we excitedly, or giddily read the the books again to figure out EXACTLY how and when to plant our seeds.   

We set up a growing area in the garage and turned up the temperature a little.  As we began to plant our seeds, I was reminded, "It's not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord."  We agreed that we ought to pray over our seeds and gardens because without the Lord's blessing nothing would grow, even if we did everything right.

The seeds sprouted and continued to thrive beautifully, but I didn't get my hopes up because (aside from the fact that I have fare too little faith) I remembered past years' "beautiful beginnings."  Then the plants began to get their second and third leaves.  I praised God and continued praying for the seedlings.

It was at this point that I thought, "Hey! If God is doing this for my seedlings, I wonder what will happen if I pray for ALL MY PLANTS!"  So I did.  We all did.  During evening devotions at least one member of our family would pray for the plants to keep growing and do well this summer and produce LOTS.

You know what!?  God said, "YES!!"  I know He always hears us, but there is something about a definitive "Yes," that just bolsters the soul.  Even if it is just plants and seedlings surviving and thriving.

As you can see our raspberry bushes produced an overabundance of berries this year, more than any year before and more that we could pick!  Our zucchini plants gave us more fruit than I can count.  The tomatoes have taken over the green house (It is seriously a jungle in there!).

Even my flowers and ornamental trees have thrived!  Our apple trees have grown more this year than in the past two years combined, and the new cherry tree put out little blossoms in this, it's first summer!

Thankfully, I am not the only one who has noticed how God has blessed our plants this year.  I love seeing and hearing our daughters talk about how, "God said, 'Yes,'" to mommy's garden.  They also love eating the fruits and veggies and picking the flowers to show us.

Despite the fact that I have known all along that I had only to ask my Heavenly Father for help with anything, I have never, ever before thought to ask Him for gardening help.  I can only think that it is because I didn't trust Him when He said that He cares about me and every aspect of my life is important to Him.  Thankfully this particular hypocrisy is on it's way out.