Worms

photo © 2006 pfly | more info (via: Wylio)
Yep, worms.

Yesterday, Ben and I cleaned our flower beds and mulched some of them. I got the fun job of edging the beds so the mulch won't spill out so much. Just about every shovel-full uncovered an earthworm and I was thrilled!

If you're thinking "yuck" right about now (or... "This chick's crazy if she gets excited by worms!") please keep reading. There's beauty hidden in this post!

The first seven years we lived here, the earthworms wouldn't join us. Mostly, we had slugs. Lots of ugly, mean slugs. My son once commented that "slugs are like satan, because they eat at your roots and kill you." Slugs feast on plant roots and kill them, destroying gardens.

Yesterday, those worms showed me that our once dying garden has come back to life! YAY!

What changed?
1. We replaced the clay that once dominated our yard with a healthy layer of topsoil, dirt full of nutrients to encourage strong plant growth.
2. We fertilized the yard according to the recommended schedule, not just now and then when the thought crossed our minds.
3. We invested in mulch, to insulate the new plants. As that mulch has broken down, it's improved the quality of the dirt.
4. We cut away dead or over-crowded branches, so our plants and bushes aren't weighed down.

The worms remind me of a healthy Christian life. The healthy Christian:
1. Replaces sinful, worldly desires with faith in Christ.
2. Fertilizes the heart regularly: reading scripture and allowing it to seep in, praying, and worshipping.
3. Invests in relationships and activities that encourage growth and insulate us from the harshness of the world: serving on a ministry team, participating in small groups, worshipping and fellowshipping with other believers. These relationships help us keep our focus on that healthy relationship with God.
4. Cuts out the bad stuff: selfishness, pride, and time stealers that keep us from becoming all God wants us to be.

Faithful work in the garden has its reward: beautiful plants and flowers. Faithfully living the Christian life has its reward too: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23).

photo © 2006 Clayton Sieg | more info (via: Wylio)

Rejoicing in His love today!
Love,
Karen