What I have gleaned from gardening

Often for me to make sense of my spiritual direction, I must bring it down to a very elemental level. My experience in Gardening parallels my walk in so many ways. Here are some insights I have gained:

* I learned many of my gardening skills from an old Japanese gardener who never told me how but showed me how. In fact, to him, the fewer words the better. Others who have taught me valuable lessons in faith showed me avenues of grace and truth by demonstrating it by their lifestyle and with few words if any.  The old saying is true: "Faith is caught, not taught."  It is the Spirit working with and through those who show one how to live.  That is a key way of how belief gets fleshed out, defined and something then which makes sense to the follower.

* Most plants grow properly by so many factors: good soil, right sun exposure, better to water deep and less frequently, keep weeds pulled and prune properly (right time/right cut). Okay, this one parallel will take some time to unpack. So I will unload my thoughts in entries to come.