Playin' in the Dirt

Ephesians 4:15
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

What a chilly spring we've had this year!  Especially, for us who live in the sunny south where we're used to T-shirts and flip-flops by the beginning of April.

Not so this go-round!

Due to the unusual temperatures, our annual planting of shade-friendly flowers to adorn our deck during the summer months is delayed by several weeks.  When my husband, Danny, arrives home with this year's choices, he is underwhelmed.

"This is the best they had at Home Depot," he confesses.  "The impatiens look a bit droopy, but the selection of shade plants was really pathetic.  Hope they'll do okay."

I assess the acceptable begonias and the rather questionable impatiens, and give him a smile.  "They may not look like much now, but with warmer weather coming, they should grow just fine.  Can't wait for Virginia to visit so she can play in the dirt with me."

"She'll love that, I'm sure."

And, she does!

Our sweet granddaughter is not afraid to get her hands dirty.  She plunges into the task with abandon, following her Gammie's instructions, and fascinated by the entire process of planting.  Virginia doesn't even hint at impishly plucking a bloom; she seems to know that these plants are special and they need to stay intact in order to grow to their full potential.

When we finish placing all the flowers in pots, we turn on the hose to rinse off our hands before entering the house.  Even though the weather is damp, I will always remember my father, career botanist and avid gardener, telling me that whenever a plant is relocated to a new venue, generous watering helps the roots to take hold and grow.  So, of course, we do that.

Here are some photos of the begonias and impatiens nestled in their pots.

In August, I will share another post to show how summer's warmth made them bloom and grow.  By then, they should be mature in stature and productivity.

~

Just as plants mature in season, we never stop growing and maturing in the Lord when we choose to follow Him.  How does your garden grow, my friends?

Prayer:  Dear Father, thank You for each and every living thing which You have created.  Help us to be good and faithful stewards of this amazingly beautiful earth You have deemed worthy of us.  May we continue to grow in Your Word and Spirit with every breath we take.  Amen.