Let Your Garden Grow

I'm lying on a beach chair in the garden and realize the long branch of the buganvilia plant is just feet away from touching my nose. To my left, the rose bushes are growing rampantly. One thorny branch is hovering over the garage door and catches me as I leave.

Over my right corner I see the jasmine plant has grasped onto the neighbor's wind chime and climbed it's way up, spiraling up to a little bouquet at the top.

Because of the overgrowth, some of the plants lower to the ground are suffering, not receiving enough sunlight to thrive. Staring at this luscious green, leafy arm in my face, I ask myself, why do I have such an issue with giving these plants a much-needed trim? Why am I feeling such guilt about picking up the garden shears and snipping away?

Part of me is wondering, does it hurt the plant? Does it feel pain or is it a relief to be rid of the heavy burden tilting it over? I'm also thinking, what if doesn't grow back? The thought of cutting off a living, healthy vine feels horrifying to me.

I need haircuts every couple of months and my hair grows back. Why am I thinking this way about a plant?

It's a human fear we're raised to believe: there is not enough. Nature is limited and can run out. I just recently watched a TV show where a scientist said there won't be enough food to feed the overpopulated earth - how long have we been hearing this?

How can we believe this fear when plants keep growing as fast as our hair? It's amazing how a plant can grow from a fallen seed, with no intention of our own. This is clearly God's territory though our human minds try to make us believe that somehow it will run out. We either don't trust God has provided for us here on earth or we don't trust ourselves to maintain the provisions given to us.

I used to grow vegetables on the terrace of my New York apartment. It was a tiny terrace, but plenty of room to fit a bunch of pots. I had the most delicious tomatoes, herbs and even lettuce! If we each grew our own garden, we would see with our own eyes that there is plenty.

It is true that we have the power to destroy our resources, but it has nothing to do with the power of nature being limited. It has everything to do with wanting more than we need. If we knocked down a bunch of buildings and gave the land back to nature, we would see life thriving again in no time. Everything regenerates in nature if given the chance.

Imagine some of the strip malls transformed into acres of organic farm. We may have to deal with one less Starbucks in a one mile radius, but think about all those fresh vegetables!

Trust that we live in a miraculous world; it is a world that revolves around growth. We can choose to grow out of our old beliefs or let them become as burdening as an overgrown buganvilia.

Off to get those shears and snip, snip!