Humbled by The Master

I have to admit at the end of August I had given up on the garden.  I had decided that it was time to start cleaning out the raised beds.

The garden on Aug. 23rd (before I pulled up the left flower bed)

Two weeks ago I could tell that the Bush Beans were through so I pulled up all the plants.  The left flower bed was also in bad shape so I pulled up all the Sunflower stalks and the wilted Zinnias.  I decided to leave the rest of the plants in the raised beds because I just couldn't bear pulling them up.  I glanced at the Eggplant and Peppers in the last bed and prematurely concluded that we had wasted our time starting them from seed and dedicating almost the entire bed to these plants. 

Bush Beans just before I cleaned out the bed

Eggplant first sign of fruit Aug 23rd

 I tend to have an optimistic personality, but I still have my days.  Lately I have been praying that God would help me trust Him more with my life.  I find that when a large amount of things turn out differently than I have planned and I can't understand it that my grip tightens on wanting control and an immediate solution.  I am not the best with waiting and feel the need to figure things out on my own.      

When things like this happen someone will usually say "God will never give you more than you can handle."  Well the truth is that this statement is not biblical and I am almost certain it doesn't provide reassurance to those with difficulties.  

The truth is: We will have trials in our lives that are larger and more difficult than we can handle alone on our own strength.  God will allow us to be stretched beyond our strength and human abilities to show us our need for Him, reminding us that His strength is limitless, and to deepen our faith.    

Red Pepper plant

When I focus on this truth then I am moved to focus on God and allow Him to be Lord over my life.  Then I can relinquish control.  

I walked out into the garden today and was reminded of this truth.  I had thought everything was "over" in the garden and that it was time to pull up more plants.  After ignoring the garden for the past week it seemed the end was inevitable. 

I found myself humbled when I discovered the garden was still very much alive.  The Pole Beans had bloomed and formed beans, the Summer Squash had produced again, and I found 3 Eggplant and 2 Peppers ready to pick!

Now I know that this garden harvest is not the solution to all my challenges.  But today for me personally, it was a reminder that God is in control of my life and that he provides amazing surprises. 

May you be encouraged by this verse:
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you Lord, have never forsaken those who you love.  Psalm 9:10