Lessons Learned by a Not-As-Gimpy Gardener

I'm two weeks post arm surgery now.  

The stitches have been removed! 

  

I am not 100% just yet, 

but complete recovery is within reach :-)  

And you know what that means...

diggin' in the dirt! 

I have been studying the book of Isaiah this year, and in Isaiah 38:16-17, Hezekiah writes:

"You restored me to health and let me live. 

Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish."

I thought I'd reflect back on some the benefits I have received and the lessons I've learned through my little gimpy gardening glitch.

*  *  * 

We take so much for granted.  

Ever complained about pulling weeds?   When even the slightest tug on a weed brings pain in your arm and you are forced to stop, suddenly you'd give anything just to be able to have the use of your arm again so you could pull those weeds.  The next time you can pull weeds (or do anything) with both arms, give thanks.  Count your many blessings.

When our life gets out of balance, God will correct that imbalance. 

  

In a 24-hour day we've got 8 hours for sleeping, 8 hours for working, and 8 hours for enjoyment.   When one area of our life gets out of balance, another area will suffer.  If we sleep too much, we won't get anything done.  If we play too much, we can't pay our bills.   If we work too much -- well, you know what they say about being all work and no play.    Sometimes we suffer emotionally with stress; sometimes we suffer the consequences physically.   Take some time and evaluate how you can bring balance back into your life.

The power of prayer is amazing!  

To know that others are lifting you up in prayer is so encouraging, and brings peace even in the midst of difficult circumstances.  And to pray for others reminds us that it's not all about us!

Trials can bring unexpected blessings.   

When I could no longer do physical work, I started my garden blog, and a whole new gardening world opened up to me on Blotanical.   I also met many new people at my church when I was forced to ask for help in the landscape ministry.    So many were willing to help; all I had to do was ask.  And I have found a wonderful crew to work with in doing the spring maintenance pruning for my clients -- and they have power tools!  

 My garden does not need me; I need it. 

I love perennials even more.  When I was not able to tend to my garden, it just kept on blooming and growing and bringing color and joy into my life. 

Oh, Lord, it's hard to be humble.   

I think the Number One thing I learned is that it is okay to ask for help.  I have never wanted to ask for help because I always thought I wasn't a "real gardener" if I didn't do it all by myself.   I took great pride in my accomplishments.   I didn't trust anyone else to do it right, and I didn't want to give up control.

One day when I was visiting some other blogs, 

I came across these wise words from Carol at May Dreams Gardens
in this post...

Achieving Happiness in Your Garden:  The Ninth Secret

Carol wrote:  "Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness and it doesn’t mean you give up control of your garden.  Asking for help is a sign that you understand that your garden shouldn’t be limited by your personal strength, your ability to do design, your knowledge of plants or your understanding of plant care."

Proverbs 11:2

"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, 

but with humility comes wisdom."

I hope I'm at least a little more humble today...and a whole lot wiser.

You might also enjoy this post about lessons we can learn from our gardens.

Take heed and take care, gardeners...
Keep learning and growing

Toni :-)

P.S.  All of the pictures in this post are from the beautiful bouquets
I received after my surgery.