If I Planted a Garden…

I read an article where reference was made to the pandemic as plague daze!  A plague is describe as a contagious bacterial disease, an epidemic disease causing a high rate of mortality. The word daze means, unable to think clearly or act normally due to injury, shock, bewilderment, fatigue, etc. Albert Camus writes: ‘Pestilence is so common, there have been as many plagues in the world as there have been wars, yet plagues and wars always find people equally unprepared. Have you been caught unprepared with the outbreak of this virus?

I have been caught unprepared with the outbreak of the virus and during this time I have pondered about so many things. Thoughts that come to mind are: What if my life was a garden? How will I tend to it when it’s overtaken with the unexpected pestilence? If I planted a garden full of faith, hope and love, what would my life reflect? With these thoughts I think of a hymn that I have often heard sung by our Sunday School children ”If I planted a garden” lyrics by Sally DeFord:

If I planted a garden, if I carefully sowed
If I nourished each tiny seed
If I tended it well and helped it to grow
What a beautiful harvest I’d reap

In my life, like a garden, there are seeds to be sown
I must choose with the greatest care
Planting only what’s good, so I can be sure
Only beautiful things will grow there

I am planting my garden every day of my life,
And the harvest is mine to keep
If I plant seeds of faith, of honor and truth
What a beautiful harvest I’ll reap

So when it comes to planting my garden, I will have to start with faith. This is the basis of my existence. Planting faith in my life’s garden and experiencing the first few shoots of new growth brings hope. Positive thoughts can be likened to new growth from seed germination, growing constantly upward.

If I tended it well only beautiful things will grow. In this time it will also give me the strength to get rid of the unwanted weeds overtaking my life’s garden. The weeds I compare to my negative thoughts that wants to take over my mind and dwindle my hope. I also have to be aware of life “toxins” that can make my faith weak. I have to tend my garden to get rid of less palatable and unpleasant thoughts. I hope that there will be more positive growth and that I can continue keeping the soil fertile to reap the rewards of love and contentment.

I want to continue to hope for a better and prosperous future. I know that I can get rid of the negative thoughts of judging others by applying essential fertilisers – faith, hope and love – to allow growth. I will continue attending to my life’s garden to allow it to overflow in faith, hope and love. I find these thoughts comforting and it helps me cope in this time. What is good for your garden?