What Grows in Your Heart's Garden

First tomato plant with tomatoes - is that cheating?

          Spring is definitely in the air, and I am so ready to get my hands in the dirt (which is strange since I love long beautiful nails!  Oh, well, can't have everything.)  I've even bought the first small plants that will, hopefully, grow large and fruitful in my garden.
          The garden reminds me of this morning's devotional in "Jesus Calling."  It talks about the garden of our hearts where Jesus is the gardener if we follow him.  He plants peace in our garden which will grow bountifully if  weeds don't choke it out.  Weeds of doubt, unforgiveness and selfishness that the enemy has planted.  It is our responsibility to water and nurture the gardens of our hearts by praying and reading the Bible daily.  In our physical garden, do we really expect to it to produce a harvest if we neglect it?  If we let it go for a couple of weeks or especially a month without watering it, wouldn't it shrivel and die?  At least it would in the south where triple digit weather is expected 2 to 3 months out of the growing season!

Vegetable & strawberry plants along with flowers.

          The same thing happens in our spiritual heart's garden if we don't "water & fertilize" it daily.  Reading the Bible daily - not monthly -  keeps us in touch with what he is saying to us.  And praying daily is a must to stay in constant communication with him.  Communication with the Savior also means listening to what he wants to say to us.  How often do you listen...I mean, REALLY listen?  In this fast-paced society with loud electronics, we seldom like the quiet.  But quietness can be our friend.  In fact, that's usually when God speaks to us.  I sometimes write in my prayer journal what he seems to be saying to me.  Since I'm a visual person, this helps me to retain it for later reference.

          So, how is your garden growing - both physically and spiritually?  Both well-tended gardens are important to me!