A quick gardening project–HA!

Okay, I did it again.  Bit off more than I can chew, that is.  For years I’ve wanted some raised gardens in the one full sun spot of my little yard.  I’ve dreamed and planned…and waited. 

Until now. 

At this writing, it’s my school’s Spring Break (March), and since the city won’t allow burning off my leftover leaves due to overly dry conditions, I decided the time is right for this new plot.  (Does that mean Bob can blame the city for my over-zealous project?)

Did you know that railroad ties generally weigh around 200 pounds? Each? I have the aching muscles and bruises to prove it.  Of course, I’ve used railroad ties before, just not this many, and a little more “terra-forming” (as my husband puts it) was needed than last time.  Then there’s the thing called “rebar” to hold multiple ties in place on top of each other—oops, forgot about that.   And naturally, that means getting the mega-inch drill bit, which may or may not work on my little Black & Decker.  Oh, and check with the city (the folks I could try to blame for this mess in the first place!) to find out where all the buried lines are—now that I have already laid everything out, that is.  The list of questions (post-commitment) continues to expand—old ties that may have been probably been soaked in nasty pesticide and even possible EPA restrictions for residential use!!

As I said, this is not the first time.

So Jesus’ story about “counting the cost” resonates with me. 

“And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost…”

Granted, there are always going to be surprises that come up for even the most well-crafted budget.  (Ask any homeowner, or parent.)  So a critical part of that budget, including our spiritual one, is preparing for the unexpected.  Even a cursory reading of both testaments show that we are forewarned about hard times—periods of confusion, disappointment, fear, and anguish.  That’s for Christians and non-Christians alike; it’s called life.

For the Christian, however, we also can anticipate times of temptation, sacrifice, dying to self, and even spiritual “deserts” that feel like God has taken a vacation.  And our mandate? 

 “…that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

The good news, the BEST news, is that we actually have more assets than liabilities in our ledger when we do make the commitment to follow Jesus with a whole heart.  God even has a way of turning our liabilities—our mistakes, our frustrations, our limitations—into assets as well.  He’s pretty amazing that way.

Now, I wonder what He might do with that lumber sitting in yard….

Luke 14:27,28;  Ephesians 6:13 Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.