A Constant Test of Faith

One reason I love gardening is because it is a constant test of faith.
To think one tiny little seed like a brassica will grow into a broccoli, or an acorn into an oak is a ridiculous concept from a human perspective, from a thinking mind.
Today I was outside planting a seed in the ground when a small sense of doubt tried to creep up on me and say, “this won’t work, your wasting your time.” But every year without fail the seeds I plant sprout, produce fruit and, create more seeds of the same kind.
I think that’s one of the reasons I love gardening and nature in general so much, because it’s something that the human mind can’t fully understand, but that’s what I find beautiful about it. I get a feeling of rest and comfort from nature, in the idea that we don’t have to know exactly how it works, we just have to get out there and work with it.
Maybe that’s why kids are so drawn to nature, playing with little stuffed animals and chasing butterflies. Because they haven’t been taught that there is a separation between us and the natural world. Their is less thinking going on and more feeling and natural expression.
Masanobu Fukuoka felt this complete connection when he saw what he defined as “True Nature”, and that everything is good.
When I am out in the garden, I am often caught up in my thoughts and I believe I miss the bigger picture sometimes.
So this year I am making an effort to be where I am, to separate “work” in the garden with experience allowing nature to express itself and trying to be a part of it.
That’s what I was thinking today when I came outside, which is kind of ironic, but I think the first part of stepping out of my thinking is to realize I am doing it.
In the end I am reminded of a quote by Emerson, "The whole course of things goes to teach us faith. We need only obey.”
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