Gardening lessons
One spring morning while out gardening, I saw parallels to my spiritual practice in Christian Science. The gardening tools I was using were very simple, yet effective: a hoe, a rake, a pail. Christian Science gives me basic effective tools. I have the Bible’s Ten Commandments; the Sermon on the Mount, which includes the Beatitudes; numerous parables; and examples of Christ Jesus’ healing work. And I have the indispensable key to those Christian teachings: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. All these tools have as their essence the simple fact of God’s absolute goodness that results in good alone. That fact applies to every situation that calls for healing in my daily life.
These are some lessons that have bolstered both my gardening work and my spiritual practice, and they’ve also brought healing to my experience:
In weeding, pick out those plants you’re sure don’t belong.
I know God, Truth, helps me unfailingly to distinguish between the right thought and the wrong, the one that reflects God’s goodness and the one that does not. And I have the authority to weed out any less-than-good thought, thus preventing its taking root and, almost unknown to me, wreaking havoc in multiple areas of my experience, just as spreading weeds might efface an otherwise beautiful garden. I need not be distraught if mistaken thoughts, like weeds, try to make inroads. If necessary, I can, one by one, keep at it until there’s nothing left but pure loveliness in thought and experience.
Learn as you go, and trust your spiritual instincts.
Though my plant knowledge is at the neophyte stage, from observation of and attention to the examples of more experienced gardeners, I have found good results. So, learning from the spiritual experiences of others is valuable. I work with trust and confidence because my love of good, and my desire to cultivate it, is a sure guide. We can be confident metaphysicians at whatever stage of learning. “Truth has a healing effect, even when not fully understood” (Science and Health, p. 152 ).
I work with confidence because my love of good, and my desire to cultivate it, is a sure guide.
Love your own garden.
While we can learn a lot from observing others’ gardens, one thing I’ve learned is not to covet them. We can learn from each other, and then, with that learning, we can develop something uniquely our own. I’ve been given many plants from others’ gardens and love how they look in mine. Even in its slightly haphazard appearance, I enjoy looking at my garden and what it represents to me. I realize that it is far more productive to love the beauty in my own present spiritual growth than to be focused on the foibles of human nature. We can take that weed out and appreciate how much more beautiful our garden looks. When we love something, we find a joy in our endeavors and naturally progress.
Don’t feel overwhelmed at the sight before you.
When you’re confronted with work to be done, simply starting can show immediate signs of progress in a garden or in our spiritual practice and serve as encouragement to continue. One right thought can change our whole outlook, such as exchanging criticism for appreciation, self-doubt for confidence in God’s unfailing power. A simple thought based in Truth has the full power of God and is effective in every need. We can trust in the power of Truth to move us forward.
Stick with it.
Just about when I’d had enough gardening one particular day and thought maybe I would return to complete the task later, I detected the wonderful fragrance of a blossoming apple tree that beckoned me to continue. Just when we may feel we’ve prayed enough, it’s a good idea to stick with it until we feel an assurance that we’re in the presence of Love alone and feel imbued, as with a fragrance, with that loveliness.
When we’re ready to pick up our tools and “call it a day,” we can also make a solid commitment to continue. And that will be easy, since we’ve found how much fun garden work can be. Prayer and the study and application of Christian Science bring an expanse of beauty and depth of joy to daily living. Our daily gardening and praying with thought freshened by the “dew of heaven” (Genesis 27:28 ) allows our native character of good to grow and develop unhindered. What beauty awaits!
