Back Out In the Garden
I’m so grateful to be able to get back outside into the garden again following my recent MS flare and the tropical heat wave. But, I tell you, when your body isn’t used to all the bending, weed pulling, dead heading and veggie harvesting, it doesn’t matter how much stretching I do, I wake up the next day stiff and sore…especially in my neck muscles.
(L-R) Brussels Sprouts, yellow squash, tomatoes, lemongrass
Do you know that our heads weigh 10 – 11 pounds? So, constantly looking down and bending over while trying to keep our heads straight puts a whole lot of strain on our little necks! Seems like I always forget that I can crouch down or get on my knees and face my plants head on…until I’m already hurting. But I wouldn’t hurt quite as much if I’d just remember to do that!
So, as I was in the veggie garden this morning harvesting tomatoes, sweet potatoes and squash, as well as cleaning up the messy beds, I remembered to crouch or kneel whenever possible. And as I kept my eyes and head in an upward posture, it made me think how much Jesus wants us to face life with Him the same way…on our knees before Him, looking up…focusing our eyes on Him. That very posture allows Him to work out His plans and purposes so much more easily, or so it seems to me. For focusing on anything but Him, whether work…family concerns…or even just daily responsibilities…can cause me to forget He’s even with me. And that can really hurt.
I’m not the only one to learn a lesson like this. Even the Apostle Peter walking on the stormy water towards Jesus, took his eyes off of the One who had bid him to come…and he began sinking in the waves. But when his eyes were on Jesus he could walk on water! Read the story for yourself in Matthew 14: 22 – 33.
So, for today, I will take the encouragement of Psalm 121 to heart, remembering these precious promises:
“I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel (and Debra and you) will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day nor the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever.”
I guess these sore neck muscles are a blessing because they’re helping me stay focused on Jesus. Oh, it IS a joy it to be back out in the garden!
Jesus, You may not be asking me to walk on water, but whatever Your plans are for me today, will You help me remember these sore neck muscles and keep my eyes focused on You? Thank You! Amen.