Growing our Garden

Many of us have had the opportunity to pick fruit off a tree whether it is an apple, a peach, an orange, or a grapefruit. Typically, we look for the one without any blemishes, shaped perfectly, with the best color and overall look about it. We are searching for that perfect specimen with just the right amount of juice and texture. We do not want to have to add sugar or put any work into making the fruit meet our expectations. Similarly, if you are one who spends time gardening in the warmer months, you tend to do this with your vegetables, too. We want the maximum amount of perfection with the minimum amount of work.

As I watch our students and teachers walk through the hallways, I do what comes naturally to me; I look for stories and illustrations that will work for a devotional or a story. I have to be honest, though. We do not have any perfect fruits or vegetables around here. Some of us are a little bit sour and some tend to be overly sweet. Some seem relatively normal, whatever that means, and others have some major quirks, at least according to our normal standards. On the other hand, we did not hand-pick each other, either. Oh, sure, we interview teachers and decide who would be best for a particular curriculum area and who would be a good fit with the community and fellow teachers, but we had nothing to do with "growing" them. We interview prospective families and work with them to see if we are a good fit for each other, but we definitely do not expect perfect parents and students with whom to work.

When I plant the seeds in my garden, there are some things that I will have to do before I even buy the seed. I have to make sure the ground is ready to grow the seed. I will have to till the ground several times to get all the dirt clumps broken down and to uncover those bones that have been buried by the dogs. I will throw fertilizer down to till into the soil so that the ground is full of the nutrients necessary to produce vegetables. Then, I will make rows in the soil and carefully place the seed in and cover them with just the right amount of dirt. After a few days, when it hopefully rains, the seeds will germinate and the little leaves will start poking out of the ground. With enough rain and sun, the plants will continue to grow until one day they might produce a large red tomato or long, full green beans. A garden is constant work. If the weeds take over, the produce will not grow and develop as it should. So, the gardener has to tend to the crops and soil constantly in order to get the best product.

The Bible tells us that we were all created in the image of God. What exactly does that mean? After all, everyone looks different, so how many images are we talking about? None of us comes out perfect without the need for some seasoning, sugar, or hard work. When one looks down the hallways or watches people at ball games, it is easy to focus on those things that are different, including body build, race, gender, interests, clothing tastes, and hairstyles. We are all masterpieces in progress. If we are all created in the image of God, despite all of our quirks, should our differences really matter?

A few years ago, a friend asked me how my tomato plants grew so tall and produced so many tomatoes. I answered, "milorganite." She thought I said, "my Lord and I." How true that really is as we work to "grow" our young people and even ourselves into individuals whom God has made us to be. Our students and teachers, our neighbors and acquaintances, and all those with whom we come in contact are in the process of growing and developing as those made in God's image. We will need to be watered, fertilized, nurtured, monitored, and provided with the right amount of Sonshine in order to produce our best. Some days, things will look good and growth will be present. There will be times that we will need to dig a little deeper to see if there is anything growing. Still other times, we will have to start over, re-plant, and basically re-group. We have been made in God's image and with "my Lord and I," we will be able to produce that which God desires in each of our lives. 

2/07 - Mrs. Tammy Antwine