by Kristi Williams Fontenot
I found myself extremely excited to get back into my garden this spring. There is something so refreshing to me when it comes to getting my hands dirty in God’s soil. It really does have a way of refreshing my soul. I learn so much every year and I always look forward to adding what I have learned into the next year, with hopes of watching my garden thrive as I nourish it into the summer months.
At the beginning of every season, I assessed my garden and one thing I noticed pretty quickly was that I needed to refill it with the proper soil and nutrients to make sure everything I planned to plant thrives to the best of their ability. As I looked at my vegetable boxes, it was astonishing to see how low my soil had gotten throughout the winter months. It was as though it had been beaten down and washed away throughout all the winter storms.
Soil filled with proper nutrients is vital for a plant’s survival. If the soil is not deep enough the roots will not be able to grow down deep to provide the proper stability needed to survive through the spring storms. Likewise, refilling the boxes with the best soil possible is equally important. If I fill my boxes with only plain dirt the plants may grow, but they will never grow to what I need so that they can provide for my family. But if I take the time and fill the boxes with the proper nutrient- rich soil, not only will my vegetables thrive, but they will also provide enough vegetables to eat and store for future use.
Just like my vegetable boxes, as one season comes to an end and a new one begins, we need to make sure that we are refilling ourselves for the season to come. The fact is, often we will go through seasons in life where when the season is over, we are left feeling depleted. Maybe we walked through life struggles, maybe we experienced unnecessary sickness, or maybe it was simply a busy season of our lives. Nonetheless, we must take care of ourselves so that we are prepared for the season ahead.
There are many ways in which we can refill ourselves, but most earthly ways will leave us empty in the end. Maybe we take a quick vacation to release stress. Or maybe we have a weekly appointment with our favorite massage therapist to work out those kinks. While those things are perfectly fine to enjoy, they only provide temporary relief, and won’t produce enough for us to thrive in the long-term. Refilling ourselves properly with something that is everlasting can only come when we spend time with God. Ephesians 3:19 says, “and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” The love that Paul is talking about is the love of God in all its fullness. God wants nothing more than for us to truly know that love and feel that love. And the only way that is possible is if we are spending time with Him.
Throughout scripture God promised many things to us and one of those promises is that with Him we will never lack. Not meant to be applied in a physical way, because of course, God does not give us everything that we want. But instead, it is meant in a spiritual way. God will always be there to refill us spiritually, no matter what our need is.
As a matter of fact, God promises that when we seek Him, He will fill us with His Holy Spirit. And when He does, we will be filled and refreshed with His love, His joy, His peace, His patience, His kindness, His goodness, His faithfulness, His gentleness, and His self-control as we put our trust in Him.
Even in the middle of whatever season you are in, know that God is waiting for you right where you are. And if you are having a hard time, rest in this promise to you from God: “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10.
In the same way that I take the time to refresh and refill my garden, God will do that and so much more for us when we trust in Him.