It was the start of good things when we figured out that it was probably not what they were doing, but what soil they were using for their gardens. Over time we learned what was required to replenish the soil (composting grass trimmings, garden waste, kitchen scraps, etc.) and our gardens did much better. Of course, this doesn’t mean we got a perfect garden every year after learning that – no! 

We had to learn about pests, both beneficial and destructive and the methods that helped or hindered each of them. We are still learning about them, but the last few seasons have gone better since we learned how to differentiate between them and let the design of nature do what chemicals promised to do, but actually ends up creating other problems. We went organic with everything since 2015 or so – no chemicals including any yard treatments. But the soil had to recover from the abuse and use of chemicals before then, so only within the last few years are we seeing the benefits of an organic approach to our plot of land.

Along this journey we recognized that having chickens was beneficial for several reasons.

Obviously the eggs, (we started raising them before the egg prices went up), but also for the chicken waste that supplements our garden compost. They also help manage insect pests that were a problem before we got the chickens once our gardens began to be fruitful. The icing on the proverbial cake is that they are fun to have around! We trained our dogs to protect them, so they get along well with each other. That was another learning experience that showed us more of the way God works in our lives and His love for us and our well being. So much of our experiences have helped us clearly understand Paul’s statement in Romans 1:20 which states: 

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. (NIV)

The interaction of plants, animals and other living beings, humans and the weather has provoked thought and conversation between Rachel and I over the years. In our conversations we’ve discussed the complexities of human interactions, and our responsibility for the relationship that we have been offered with God while living on this earth. There is much to learn about what makes for a good harvest outcome that is applicable to outcomes in human relationships and with the God who created and loves us. There are a great many details that go into a garden or a relationship that at times seem trivial or even unnecessary. Sometimes its the things where we cut corners that have a significant impact over time that could have been avoided had we been more diligent. That is so true with gardens and building the infrastructure that makes them productive year after year! For instance, how we built our garden beds was a hindrance at first until we adjusted our thinking to what benefited both us and the plants, and kept potential problems like an animal plundering the bed from happening.

We know that our knowledge is incomplete in so many ways, but we are at peace knowing that what we will need to know is available to us through God’s provision as we are diligent to apply the things we do know while asking, seeking and knocking for those things we don’t, even those issues where we “don’t know what we don’t know”.

Does your work with God’s creation speak to you in these ways?