Kris, Kris, How Does Your Garden Grow?

With a son entering college a year ago, not being financially ready for it and being a couple that does not like to borrow money, a book helped me come up with a plan.  The book is Debt-Free U by Zac Bissonnette and believe you me, it works.  It's really a very simple thing. It's called  radical discipline. You give up what are not needs, just wants, and take the money you would have spent on those wants and put it away into an account.  We started doing this.  I mean little things.  I quit buying water bottles.  I quit buying the expensive hairspray at the salon, I quit shopping for myself, I gave up the gym membership, we have no cable or newspapers coming into our home, and on and on and on.  We paid for the first year of college with cash and I'm ready to pay this second year.

One of the things I really like is to garden.  But gardening is not a need, just a want and so that went on my list of things to give up.  Putting my son through college was much more important than having a garden full of plants and I was ok with this.  This new adventure has been fun and exciting, especially when I saw that it was working! I have to tell you though, the pretty flowers and plants out there were catching my eye, but I've been diligent and sticking to the plan.  

God is so good! When we live in obedience He either changes the desires of our hearts or He gives us those desires.  This is one time He chose to give and I shouldn't be but have been amazed.  Everytime I turn around, someone has given me plants and flowers and now all my gardens are full!  A dear lady shared so many things from her garden with me, plants that will come back year after year.  Others  gave us money after my mother-in-law died and said to buy something to plant in her honor.  A neighbor gave me a fern and others, flowers. 

Oh my, how does my garden grow?  With the love of the Lord and friends!

Oh Mary, Mary, you may have had silver bells and cockle shells and pretty maids all in a row but I have these. . .

#1164. . .black eyed susans

1165. . .lilac bush

1166. . .lambs ears 

1167. . .hosta (this baby has been here awhile!)

1168. . .pretty pink flowers  (I forgot what these are called)

1169. . .ground covers

1170. . .lilies

1171. . .huge ferns

1172. . .red petunias

1173. . .a ninewine bush

1174. . .another species of a lilac bush

1175. . .sage

1176. . .oregano

1177. . .crepe myrtle bush (this baby has been here awhile too)

1178. . .fern for the front porch

1179. . .buds opening up and colors popping out

1180. . .messages

OH, I do this all the time, but Mr. Rabbit is just so cute for telling me!

Dear Father, thank you for loving me so that you would bless me with the desires of my heart, for loving people who shared with me, gardens full of your wonderful creations, and my heart full of joy.

Rejoicing and praising for You are worthy!

Even if my gardens stayed empty, You are worthy!

You are worthy of my praise no matter what goes on, or what is empty. 

You fill me with joy beyond belief and You are enough!

(But, thank you for the garden full of delight),

Your daughter with the dirty knees, spade, miracle grow, and water hose. . .

Amen

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