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My Mother’s Garden

“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed…” Proverbs 31:26-28a

Today, my Dad, siblings and I were weeding, mulching and planting some flowers in the beds around our house. Because we know our mom’s love language is “acts of service,” we have started this tradition as a gift for Mother’s Day. She always enjoys seeing the finished product, and is relieved that she doesn’t have to do all the work by herself! As I was kneeling there this morning, pulling some stubborn weeds out of the ground, I got to thinking about my Mom and all she means to me. Suddenly, the symbolism of what I was doing even then started to inspire me with these next thoughts.

My mom never had a huge garden as we were growing up, but she enjoyed having the flowerbeds around the house look nice. However, as I thought about it, she has had a much bigger “garden” to tend to – her children. Throughout the years she has planted seeds of love, care, instruction, and purpose into our lives. Sometimes we have joked around and called her our “Agent” because she is always making sure all the t’s are crossed and i’s dotted with everything that happens in our lives. But one thing is perfectly clear. She has our backs. She always has. She has tended her garden well throughout the years. Yes, sometimes we have let stubborn weeds grow in her garden – weeds of disobedience, defiance and disrespect. But she has never given up on us. Our burdens are her burdens. Our joys are her joys. She has tended to us, and pulled at those stubborn weeds with much prayer and counsel. Even today before I went outside to tend to the actual weeds, my mom pulled out a “weed” in her garden. A weed in my heart that I was letting fester. A weed of discouragement. Through a simple quick hug, and the words “I am praying for you!” that weed of discouragement was quickly pulled from my heart. I was reminded yet again that God is in control, and that I am not alone. Just by those simple words voiced by my mother.

I found this poem that goes with these thoughts so well. The phrase in the poem “She turned me to the sunshine” is such a true statement. Every time I have ever gone to her for counsel and encouragement, my Mom has always turned me back to the Sunshine – Jesus Christ. Although I know she will always have a listening ear, she always reminds me that I have a God who wants me to trust in Him at all times, and pour out my heart before Him. (Psalm 62:8)

My Mother kept a garden,
a garden of the heart,
She planted all the good things
that gave my life it’s start.

She turned me to the sunshine
and encouraged me to dream,
Fostering and nurturing
the seeds of self-esteem…

And when the winds and rain came,
she protected me enough-
But not too much because she knew
I’d need to stand up strong and tough.

Her constant good example
always taught me right from wrong-
Markers for my pathway
that will last a lifetime long.

I am my Mother’s garden.
I am her legacy-
And I hope today she feels the love
reflected back from me.

Author Unknown

About Becky Follett

With a degree in education, Becky has a passion for teaching, and she enjoys teaching kindergarten at Emmaus Baptist Academy. She also manages Book Heaven, the bookstore ministry of Lehigh Valley Baptist Church, and helps in a number of other church ministries.

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Comments 2

  1. I admire so many of the women at LeHigh Vally Baptist church. I have been blessed to met and know them through the years. Now I’m proud of the young women growing into the same kind of women.

  2. Very well said! Love this garden analogy!!! Charles Spurgeon used them often. My favorite is “What a privilege it is to know that I am a field under heavenly cultivation – not a wilderness but a garden of the Lord, walled by grace, planted according to a divine plan, worked by love, weeded by heavenly discipline, and constantly protected by divine power.”
    Charles Spurgeon ~Reflections of God’s Glory

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