When Life Lessons > Summer Tomatoes

Our little backyard garden was doing amazingly well. Until it wasn’t.

A deer from the woods behind our house discovered and helped him- or herself to our plants. Overnight, our healthy vegetable plants and hydrangea were munched down to nubs. Seriously. Where there had been beautiful, strong leafy plants loaded with blossoms, baby tomatoes and cucumbers, there are now green stalks with roughly-munched ends.

The morning we discovered the thievery, we were stunned. And bummed. And a little ticked.

But hey, gardening is never a sure thing (especially with my “black thumb of death), and we have the opportunity and the means to go to the market to buy produce, so this loss certainly wasn’t the end of the world; not even close. It settled quickly into something we can chuckle about – the image of “that deer” chomping on the leaves of the sweet potato vine which led the way to the tomatoes and cucumbers like a signpost. “Dinner: This Way.”

The next day, our sister-in-law brought us a beautiful bouquet of hydrangeas “just because.” I didn’t make the connection until another sweet friend brought an armful of “extra” zucchini to Bible study two days later. As I carried my share of the veggies to the car, it hit me. What a sweet (and swift!) reminder that God has the ability and the resources (and access to people who can help) to restore us when we suffer losses of any kind. This is not the first time I’ve been the recipient of this sort of blessing. And I’m sure it won’t be the last.

I’m praying that I will remember this the next time I feel God whispering “share your stuff.”

Everyone was amazed at what God was doing. They were amazed when the apostles performed many wonders and signs. All the believers were together. They shared everything they had. They sold property and other things they owned. They gave to anyone who needed something. ~Acts 2:43-45

PS: I’m happy to report that the blueberries are still safe, and just beginning to ripen!