The Joys and Benefits of Gardening

“The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just on the body, but the soul.” Alfred Austin

While working in my garden this summer, I suddenly had this peace that stilled and calmed my soul. Have you ever felt overwhelmed about something and as you stepped into a specific place that brought that solitude and calmness to your entire being?

Today I experienced this overwhelming disturbance in my soul. I felt troubled and it seemed as if the world with its fears and troubles rested on my shoulders. I felt weary and oppressed. This must have been the way David felt when he cried out to God, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me?

(Psalms 42:11). The answer came suddenly to the soul, “Hope thou in God,” For it is in my praise my deliverance will come. “For God is the health of my countenance, and my God.”

I loved gardening since I was a child growing up in Jamaica. I remembered planting a tomato tree that didn’t bear. I did not know how to care for it. Should I pick off the new leaves growing between the bigger leaves? I had a lot to learn then.

We must cultivate our own garden. When man was put in the Garden of Eden he was put there so that he should work, which proves that man was not born to rest. Voltaire

As I got older and went to my own space, I created a garden of my own. If I became restless, gardening was my go-to place to restore the peace within me. Playing in the soil, sowing seeds, and seeing the result of my labor gave me peace. I felt closer to my creator. God must have felt good when he saw all he had created and looking at the man, He created from the dust, he said it was good. So, I felt this warm peace in me to see the first little stem and leaf of a baby plant shoot out of the ground. The song bubbled in my soul

“ Oh, I marvel at the wisdom of my God, Oh, I marvel at the wisdom of my God, When I see the little lily pushes out the mighty sod, Oh, I marvel at the wisdom of my God.”

Watching a YouTube video, I saw a lady utilizing pots and bags to start her garden. This motivated me to start mine. So, I visited a thrift store to find inexpensive pots to start my garden. I am an avid crocheter and knitter. My gardening was replaced by crocheting and knitting and a new love came into my life a few years later, to which I dedicated most of my precious time. This new love was refreshing, and I almost lost my love and enthusiasm for gardening.

I realized I could do all those hobbies creating beautiful artwork and still go back to my love, gardening. I relocated and now I have a big yard and space where I can start gardening again.

So I started digging. I dug up so many spots in my yard preparing vegetables and flower beds that my husband got mad at me. Why is he getting mad when he enjoyed the fruits of my labor? Men are strange creatures.

Gardening is a better and cheaper therapy session for me. I don’t need to go sit on a couch in someone’s office for them to tell me what I can get in prayer and talking to the Lord. This is my time of meditation and some serious conversation with God and my plants. When I am stressed, I go to my garden and there I find solace and peace. It seemed as if the moment I entered my garden something said, ‘Release the burden.’ The leaves are reaching out to tap me on the shoulder and as they move with the wind they are saying, ‘Come with me, release the heavy burden.’

Gardening regularly provides moderate-to-intense exercise. It builds strength in the arms, legs, and back as well as smaller stabilizing muscles (https://rwc.org/gardening-health/). Gardening according to the literature lowers blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, and obesity. It improves the quality of sleep. It boosts strength and mobility and helps seniors to live independently for longer. Gardening also reduces osteoporosis and increases dexterity and balance, both of which are helpful for preventing and recovering from falls. Gardening is excellent for both your psychological well-being and overall brain function, and it can even help prevent specific cognitive and mental health disorders

Early one morning while preparing the earth for the first seed a scripture came ringing inside me. “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

So then neither is he that planted anything, neither he that watered; but God that giveth the increase.” (1 Cor. 3:5–7).

I felt very humbled. God remembered me to speak to me a lowly worm. The word of God came alive and powerful in my heart. I am laboring in my garden, not the labor of bringing souls to God, but to bring food to the table for my family. It came home powerfully with the realization of planting the seeds and watering. If God does not bless it, there is nothing to harvest.

When I see my ground provision I marvel at the wonder of God.

I remembered the first time I went into a fabric shop, it reminded me of the Philadelphia Flower Show and one I visited in Pittsburgh.

Oh my, I was like a child in a candy store. Viewing the fabric shop with all the wonderful rows of beautiful colored fabrics, I was reminded of my flower garden. Then a light bulb shined brightly, and I had that hunger, and longing for my garden. Was I mad? Or going through a crisis? Maybe one or both. So, here I am standing in the middle of some of the most vibrant, insanely beautiful fabric, and wanted to go play in my garden. I decided I could do both. I can use my garden as inspiration.

Working in my garden exposes me to healthy fresh air and vitamin D. The other day I visited the doctor, and he told me I lacked vitamin D. With all the gardening I am doing I was shocked to learn I still lacked vitamin D. However while I love gardening I am developing an allergic reaction to the soil, but I still do some gardening.

Gardening outside allows you to breathe in fresh air, which can help you feel more clear-headed and invigorated. According to research “exposure to sunlight also stimulates the body to produce vitamin D, which can help to protect you from osteoporosis, cancer, depression, heart attacks, and strokes” (https://www.chapelpointe.org); but I wasn’t getting enough, according to my doctor. So here I am taking a vitamin D supplement once a week until I am able to drop down to the regular dosage.

However, while gardening is a wonderful hobby, if you plan to garden in the sun for long periods of time, especially in hot climates, remember to protect your skin with sunscreen and appropriate sun-protective clothing. (www.chapelpointe.org).

Thanks for reading my story, hoping you glean something educational.

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