They speak in many ways these plants and flowers of mine; but only for ears bent in listening. Whispered lessons of sheer delight arrayed in finery bedazzled by the afternoon sun, somber strains of wilted strength slain by heat, even the sadness of wounds endured; all offered to the ear keen for listening. But the best lesson of all lingers in what my garden taught me about resilience.
Welcome back to the garden for a time of Garden Grace, where we allow God to reveal Himself through His creation. Once a month we linger together gleaning all He has for us through the beauty of plants, trees, animals and insects. I can’t wait to share my most recent discovery with you!
Suffering and Adversity teach us we not only can grow, but thrive.
Donna Bucher
gardens face adversity too
Extending well into September’s Indian Summer, heat, humidity and little rain over stayed their welcome at least in the garden. Though not the hottest of summers, enough hot days combined with sparse rainfall left many of our garden plants and flowers wilted, dry and damaged.
Despite gallant efforts of sprinklers, rainfall hose nozzles and hand watering cans carried lovingly for the resfreshment of beleagured plants, many plants succumbed to the unkind elements.
Since the season appeared over for some, my husband transplanted them to new homes for next year, dead headed and pruned others, and fearing losing hope, we continued watering. Our efforts turned towards supporting our garden through adversity.
Resilience on display in the garden
Finally subsiding, the intense heat gave way to more pleasant temperatures and early autumn rains. The eventual arrival of the Autumnal Equinox shifted the haunts of the afternoon sun providing relief for sun parched plants and flowers.
Times of refreshing visited the garden and breathed the freshness of mornings fraught with dew and early evening’s cool breezes.
The balm of these changes wrought wondrous transformation upon the distressed and weary. Everywhere my gaze lingered, new, lush, green growth appeared, from dead dry leaves and stems, the vigor of life pierced the old with the new. The garden once dwindling beneath summer’s harsh hand, now shone in supple resilience.
what my garden taught me about resilience
Enjoying a leisure perusal of seasonal mums, autumn plants and pumpkins scattered in my gardens, a delightful surprise greeted me. Vibrant roses, delicate balloon flowers, hyssop blooms and widespread new growth danced on the evening breeze.
These beauties which rarely call autumn their home, smiled their declaration of truimph over adversity.
Even spring favorite, the Jacob’s Ladder plants, some mostly died back, boasted revived foliage. The loveliest beauty met me in the fragrance of two small lavender blossoms. Entranced, my eyes lingered on hope sprung from the scars of adversity: the very secret of resilience.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
lessons on resilience
Breathing in the beauty and bravery of resilience in my garden enlivened my hope and understanding of adversity in my own life. Meditating upon the lessons on resilience gifted me by my time in the garden changed my perspective on enduring the hard seasons of life.
- Harsh conditions are a part of life. In this life you will have trouble. (John 16:33) Just as my plants and flowers experienced the brutal heat and times of drought, life’s trouble should not surprise you.
- Adversity leaves scars. Life’s harsh treatment comes in many forms and will leave you wilted, scarred and wandering in dry places spiritually. (1 Peter 4:12-13)
- Resilience may require pruning. As with the damaged plants in my garden, pruning and deadheading strengthened their resilience and brought new growth and fruitfulness. (John 15:1-3) God meets you in the harsh places and removes that which hinders you, allowing new growth.
- Support from others encourages resilience. Our continual support through watering, pruning, deadheading and transplanting nurtured garden resilience. God sends other believers into your harsh places, helping you endure. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
- Never lose hope. Despite the damaged appearance of some plants and flowers, I watered and nurtured them, retaining hope. Likewise, every harsh circumstance holds eternal hope within. God works in the dark, trust the outcome to Him. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
- God renews. Viewing the beauty of flowers re-blooming and new lush growth demonstrated resilience from within. Though life’s harsh places cripple us at times, waiting on God renews and creates fresh strength. (Isaiah 40:31)
- Seasons Change. Summer faded into autumn and with it brought a reprieve to beleagured plants and flowers. Seasons of life change too; no matter how long, life’s harsh seasons always end ushering in times of refreshing and God’s replenishment. (Jeremiah 31:25)
the garden grace of resilience
Casting a loving gaze upon each area of my garden, a smile breaks upon my lips, slowly at first, then brightens my whole face. Yes, this lesson on garden resilience whispered by these plants of mine tells a familiar story.
A story of storms, disappointments, hardships, even betrayal: yet through it all the glory of a loving Creator speaks the last word; “My beloved, though you fall, you will rise again; though you sit in darkness, I will be your Light.” (Micah 7:8)
I’m so glad you’ve been able to enjoy your revitalized garden this fall, Donna. I love your lessons on resilience and how they apply so well to our spiritual lives. This one, especially, is resonating with me today: “Seasons of life change too; no matter how long, life’s harsh seasons always end ushering in times of refreshing and God’s replenishment.”
Lois, Dear Friend, so pleased for your visit to the garden with me this month. “Resilence” was a lesson I needed very much, in fact I have an inkling it will be the word for 2022….but I love the encouragement God gave me in reminding me that life’s seasons do change, and harsh seasons do not last forever!
Donna, your garden lessons are so timely. We have been told for the past week that we’d go below freezing at night. One night, we dipped into 32 degrees, and my impatiens died. But my other flowers are still hanging on. I know they’ll soon fade, but I’ve enjoyed the beauty and the lessons God has taught me. Of your points, the one I’m finding especially true is the peace that comes with the support of friends and those who love my family and me. Great post!
Jeanne I’m so pleased the garden lessons bless you. Doesn’t God have so much to teach us within His creation? I would agree at the precious value of the “support” and care we receive during our times of drought and harsh “weather”!
Amazing post Donna. I love these lessons from the garden! So true. I love to observe the seasons even the smallest of details from year to year. Blessings.
~Selah ~
Paula, I’m so glad the lessons from the garden are a blessing to you! I’m always amazed at the way God meets me there.
Suffering is always hard, but it can lead us to greater dependence on the Lord and into deeper intimacy with him. It’s such an encouragement and a great hope to hold onto! Thanks Donna!
Amber thank you so much for stopping by. Suffering is always hard; I wonder that at some point I thought growing in my relationship with God would make suffering less painful, but I had things turned around! I actually gain so much more through suffering than I “lose”!
Great analogy! Yes, sometimes we have to be pruned but while there is life, there is hope. It seems after pruning things come back bigger than before. (I’m no gardner but I’ve noticed this.) May we come back bigger than before after we’ve been “pruned!”
Thank you, Jerralea for your kind comment! I learned much from this garden grace lesson, and I agree with you, I think perhaps we are all the better for the pruning and transplanting God does in our lives!
Donna, Love your lessons from the garden and how they mirror our lives and lessons. We go through seasons of withering and strong heat and feel beaten down. Yes, I love the idea that we can be renewed and burst forth back with new growth. What a picture of hope and joy. Our past, our problems, our hardships do not have the final stay. They are just a part of our story. Not the final story.
Theresa, I rejoice in your finding a blessing in my garden grace lessons! Truly communing with God within His creation speaks deeply to my heart. So many good lessons on our own seasonal changes, growth and times of drought as you mention. As I pondered this lesson I was in awe at how God brought me from what appeared to be loss to true hope and joy in new life!
As one who has found that time on the trail consistently teaches how to walk by faith, I felt a kindred connection with your title–and then the words and heart behind it. Your lessons listed here are so true and timeless–an evergreen source of encouragement. Thanks!
Natalie, thank you for your kind words! There’s truly something about communing with God within His creation that I think is not only timeless, but unites us as one in Him!
Tomorrow our temperatures will change from 80’s to 40’s, and I’m so torn about my annuals that I have in pots. I know it’s time to let them go (it is mid-October). But I struggle with it every year. 🙂 Thanks for this reminder today that seasons change, and for good reason, and I can trust God with each one.
Lisa, my annuals in pots often cause me conflict too. I guess I view them much like our hopsice patients; I tenderly care for them without heroics until they peacefully on their own terms pass out of this life for now. Autumn always reminds me there is beauty in change, and even death.
I love the lessons of resilience found in nature. You do an excellent job of sharing those lessons.
Nylse thank you for your kind words! I loved your post on seeds as well, looks like God met us both in His garden!
Donna, I love your thoughts and writing. As i have begun to watch the leaves fall from our trees, I have been wondering about the coming seasons – the harshness of winter, and what new growth will come with the spring. I am grateful God deposits into us the strength and resilience we need so our lives can point to Him who is sufficient for every season.
Thank you Joanne for your kind words of encouragement! Isn’t it lovely to observe the seasons and find the beauty in each one and the lessons God tucks inside them?
Looking back from the perspective of autumn harvest is bracing, because to look at the dying upheaval that once was my garden, I can barely imagine how beautiful and fruitful it was.
I have learned something from my garden every year and I love your lessons!
Michele, it is so true as we look at the remnants of our lush gardens as autumn takes hold, it can be quite distressing. But before long we shall see it all rise again. Isn’t that beautiful?