What Does Your Garden Grow?
Fifth Sunday after
Pentecost
July 13, 2014
Psalm 119:105-112
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
It’s hard to have a garden in New York City. Space,
conditions, and time are some of the factors that impact the effectiveness of
growing things. In the last 7 years or so there has been a national boom in
urban gardening. Rooftops, window boxes, even fenced up areas around trees on
the curb have been transformed to grow flowers, fruits and vegetables. New
gardening methods have gained popularity, Pinterest is full of small garden
ideas, and community gardens are becoming norm in many neighborhoods.
When I was growing up we had a 12-foot raised bed
garden at church. The United Methodist Women had been inspired to create and
maintain a garden, and teach others how to keep it going. The trustees found the
funds and provided the labor. A local hardware store provided the beams and
liner for a reduced cost. The Botanical Gardens provided free mulch, soil and seeds.
After a few months of planning the side yard had this beautiful raised bed
ready to be planted. A few of the United Methodist Women began to plan what
would be planted with the seeds we had and then tried to figure how they could
make it sustainable. Thus the Saturday Gardening Program was born.
Every Saturday a group of kids from the church and neighborhood
gathered in the basement to watch videos about gardening, look through books,
make notes in self-decorated notebooks, plant, weed and prune whatever had
grown. During these Saturdays we learned about planting in different types of
temperatures, the effectiveness of greenhouses, good and bad bugs, and
different gardening terms. We were empowered to ask questions, get messy and be
assertive. For a group of kids in Brooklyn this was a big deal, and a big
adventure.
After a few months of all of this we finally got our
first harvest. There is nothing more magical than watching a group of kids
eating a green bean fresh off the stem. We were allowed to take some of it home
and the rest was sold during coffee hour the next day. There was never a goal for
profit, just to share the bounty with all those around. The program lasted
about 2 years and the garden itself still produced for another 5 years or so. I
don’t know the state of it now but I do still hold the memories and values
taught in my heart.
One of the lessons that has always stuck with me was
the different types of gardens that use different soils. There have been
pamphlets and books written, workshops given and shows created around these
various tips. Some plants grow best outside, some can grow wild, some need to
be perfectly spaced and some can flourish in artificial conditions. The key is
knowing what you’re going to plant because that affects how you prepare the
soil.
In our Matthew passage Jesus shares with the
disciples the Parable of the Sower. Jesus’ use of parables is a reminder that
sometimes we need to tell a story to explain the facts. The use of parables was
never to answer questions, for the disciples or for us. Rather they are to
provoke us to question and create different thinking.
In this
parable we are told about a sower, a gardener, who was planting some seed. Now
as we see there was every intention to plant those seeds well. He had probably
prepped the soil, prepared his rows for planting, and waited for a nice day
during the right season to begin. Yet we see that as he was sowing some of
these seeds fell elsewhere. They fell on the path, on rocky soil and among
thorns. None of these seeds could take root and flourish. They died because
they weren’t planted correctly. The seeds are the Word of God that take root in
our souls and help us blossom. For these seeds they wouldn't thrive without
taking root. As we read this passage we can gather that the sower didn’t
intentionally plant these seed in hard to grow places rather they fell out as
he went.
As Jesus told the disciples each different condition
is representative of those around us. Those who don’t understand the word,
those who have no root in their faith, and those who let the world hold more
value than God. We can all be those people, our faith may waver and our
understanding may be limited BUT we are also challenged to continually take
action to make a foundation in God and the word. By striving for better
understanding and deeper faith we push our roots deeper into the ground,
gaining strength. There are certain things that are needed to take root: tilled
soil, water, sunshine and room to breathe. These things are needed for plants
but for us too.
Without Tilled Soil it becomes difficult for the
seed to take root. A seed is not strong enough to push its roots into hard soil
or rock. If the soil has been turned and
cared for the seed can easily make a home there. I used to hate tilling the
soil, it’s messy. You sit there combing through each bit, removing rocks and
twigs, breaking up hard compacted pieces and making sure that there are no
weeds. While sitting there you almost feel like there is no point. To till the
soil takes work, and lots of it. But by tilling the soil you are committing to
the garden, you are preparing the ground the best you can in preparation of the
seed and bounty to follow. In our lives how are we shifting our lives to be
able to receive God and the Word? What does our soil look like?
Water is needed by all of us. As Christians we are
told that Jesus is the living water, ever pouring into us so we never go
thirsty. For plants water can make all the difference. Water helps activate
processes in the seed to encourage growth; good watering can save a dying
plant. But there is a balance to be found. The soil cannot be too wet, since
over saturation can drown the seed. In the same way the word can easily be
watered down if we don't take time to reflect on a service or message and soak
in the understanding. By planning out your personal watering-going to service,
joining a small group, doing personal or group bible study you are allowing
yourself to be watered regularly to keep hydrated.
We need to be fed. For plants Sunshine, and the
process of photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy. This
process allows for a slow release of energy to feed the plant and allow it to
reach its full potential. In the parable we see a seed scorched by the sun.
This plant had no protection and was quickly ruined. Any good gardener will
tell you to look at where the light falls to determine where you grow your
garden. Direct sunlight all the time will quickly make good plants die. The
best areas are where sunshine and shade are present. This change in light
allows the plant to perform its process to allow for energy to slowly be
released. As Christians we need to take time to meditate and reflect on the
word for self. This may mean journaling, following a daily devotional that has
a study portion, meditating, doing further research on a topic raised or
following a challenged poised by the pastor. We need to be actively engaged in
the process, reflecting on what was shared so we can share the message with
others.
In the parable we see that the seed in the thorns
began to grow but couldn’t flourish because there was no Room to Breathe. This
is the story for many of us. It doesn't always mean that we make idols of other
things but rather we allow other things to take precedence before God and our
relationship with. In our young adult gatherings we have talked many times
about cellphones and how many of us have work phones or work emails on personal
phones. We have talked about how we try to balance the fast paced nature of
many of our professions and unplugging from them for self-preservation. We have
come to an unofficial understanding that when we go to brunch or somewhere for
an event there are no phones out, although emergencies and deadlines are
exceptions. It may only be an hour or two that phones are left in pockets or
bags but it allows for us to focus on the immediate, creating friendships and
memories.
Every time we have a new understanding, deepen our
faith or trust in the promises of God our garden grows. This garden while built
of our personal seeds is also a reflection of us to others. When those who are unsure
or fearful see this they are encouraged to plant seeds for themselves. So I ask
you what is in your garden? What traits, habits and understandings are you
sharing with others?
In my garden I’m trying to grow kindness, cultivate
hospitality, encourage patience, graft love for self and other, and prune
honesty. It is a daily adventure to nurture this garden and it becomes easier
when others grow similar things. I want to be able to share tips on how to have
patience, how to be kind, how to love self. I want these conversations to be
able to produce beautiful blooms in my life and the lives of others. I want my
garden to not just bloom but explode with faith and understanding of God. It
will take time but the harvest is going to be amazing.
It starts with a seed-are you ready to plant and
help it grow?
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