The Neglected Garden

It has been so hot, I mean blistering hot with humidity. I typically, like to work in my yard, enjoy my flowers and time in the garden. But since it has been so hot, I have ignored the yard. The grass is burnt up, the weeds have taken over, the leaves on my plants are burnt, and I have plants violating other plants. Nothing looks manicured.

This weekend, we decided to do some much needed work. Letting things go this long, the clean up is hard work. Not to mention we have a nice size hole, a den in the flower bed in two locations. I’m thinking the fox I took a picture of this week in my backyard lives there. 

So this morning, I asked the Holy Spirit to speak to me. Here are my journaling thoughts: 

A dried up, neglected garden, even if once beautiful is ugly when it is overgrown with weeds, restrictive vines and unsightly grasses. When a garden is neglected, it’s an open invitation for predators to come in and take residence. 

Remember back when it was flourishing, blooming, pruned, manicured and attended, when it was watered and firmly rooted?  Do not allow the heat of this world nor the environment of your current life state, cause you to neglect your spiritual garden. How quickly if we go without attention and water that we become a wasteland, a safe haven for predators. 

Even in the hottest days of life, the busy  and most stressful days of life, a little watering and a little nurturing  goes a long way. It’s the days when we give God no attention that we start to become a spiritual wasteland, starving.

Some seasons allow for more time but in those hot seasons of life, some time each day is better than no time and no attention.  Nourish your relationship with Jesus, water it with time and attention. Spend time in the word, in prayer, in reflection and journaling.

Nurturing your relationship with your Messiah will spring forth a beautiful garden of flowers, birds and butterflies. When you attend to Him, your inner self will feel calm, life will feel more manicured and under control. 

When you feel a little spiritually wilted, or blah, pursue Yahshua to water you back to life. 

Scripture: 

Isaiah 41: 18 I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water and parched ground into springs. 

Reflection & Journaling: 

1. Are there any areas of your life where you feel spiritually dry, depressed or low energy? 
2.  What can you do to connect with God and seek Him in this area? 
3.  What advice does Yah have for you? What does He see You doing Right and Wrong? 
4.  What actions do you need to take to get inspired? lifted? 
5.  Is there anything you might want to repent of, take this time to repent. 
6.  Make a List of things you are grateful for….Thank Him.