October Reflection on Gardening and Faith
Molly Boeglin and Cassie Schutzer
Monday, October 14, 2024
Once again, the weather has thrown me for a loop and I’m not exactly sure what I’ll be doing this month. Typically, October is a month to prep for winter weather and clean up the garden. We also like to have a weekend camping trip to ensure we make time for family fun.
Early October is a great time to mulch the garden and any perennial plants that need protection. After being in a severe drought for a large part of the growing season, the recent rains have made everything green, and new plants have started to germinate and grow. The fall seedlings are established, and broccoli should be ready soon. I also need to put garlic bulbs down soon.
I’ve completed a deep clean of the chicken coop and prepped the brooder for chicks. Unfortunately, the eggs we incubated did not develop but we are ready if we find a good deal on end-of-season chicks. Next up is the sheep pen. All the soiled bedding will be put into a new compost pile and the matured pile will be used to top off the raised beds that have settled.
We also welcomed a bottle baby lamb that was rejected at a friend’s farm. They asked if we would like to take care of it because they didn’t have the time. Bottle lambs need feeding about every three hours when they are newborns. It’s a huge time commitment and there’s a significant loss of sleep for the first week or so. It’s also incredibly rewarding and makes for a very docile and friendly lamb. Between feeding the lamb, housekeeping for the chickens, and maintaining the garden, I am looking forward to a fall weekend camping with my family.
A Gift for Every Season
What does the garden of your heart look like this month?
Each season in our lives contains a grace, a gift from God that is only for that time.
What gifts are being offered to you this season?
This is another way of asking, “How is the Lord moving in your life?” and “How am I called to respond?”
Now, it’s one thing for the Lord to move in the garden. It’s another for us to recognize His movements and join in the work. He will never force His work on us; He always prompts a response because he wants our “yes” to be freely and generously given.
Maybe His work this season is expected – like the winter sowing in Molly’s garden.
Perhaps the Lord is surprising you – like Molly’s unexpected, bottle-fed baby lamb.
Whatever the Lord is doing, He has a reason, and He gives you both the freedom and the grace to respond to His action.
“For you bestow gifts suited to every season.” (Preface of the Holy Spirit II)
Rest in the truth that you have been prepared for this moment. The Lord is doing something intentional in your life that is fitting to the season you’re in. Pray for eyes to see, an open heart to respond, and gratitude for the invitation to participate in the work of the divine.