Ashlie Miller: Learning to see the harvest

Last weekend, I finally made time to get some plants transplanted in my front yard before it gets too cold. Naturally, I needed to weed the area first, and I noticed neglect had let some weeds try to choke out the ground cover. A tedious, delicate job of separating and unwinding weeds from the plants. Why do weedy things sometimes look like the healthiest things sprouting from my lawn? Working in soil and plants is always a grounding experience. Yes, I understand the physical and mental health benefits, but there is a spiritual grounding that happens as meditation meets messy hands. It is no wonder that God wanted Adam to work a garden even before the garden was cursed. As I worked, I thought about the jubilant feasting in the days ahead that may be intertwined with a bittersweetness as one less setting is placed on the table, one less folding chair brought in from the garage for many families this year. Perhaps the location has changed, maybe the day.

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