Presently, we have 80 tomato plants growing from seed inside our green house. And by green house, I mean the tiny home where Honey and I sleep and shower. Those 80 tomato plants represent roughly 25% of the 300+ seedling plants currently preparing for life in the garden. Some time ago, while looking at the miniature rainforest developing under our roof, I took to calling our home a green house with a bed in it, since there were far more of them than us.
Of those 80 tomato plants we have a half dozen or more varieties: Roma, Cherokee Purple, Parks Whopper, Prairie Fire, Pink Bumblebee, Pink Girl, Okie Lolo, Hootie Hoo, Ronnie-Bobby-Ricky and Mike, and a several others I can’t remember. (Ok, so I might have made a few of those up). Whenever I feel aggravated by the agriculture dominating our domicile, or I grow wearing of moving them in and out of the house everyday for natural light and hardening off, I repeat to myself, “Tomatoes come in many varieties and so does the fruit of the Spirit. There is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control… Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:22-25). Grumbling pity parties and prayers can’t occupy the same heart soil, and thankfully, the good seed wins every time, and the good mood follows.
In several recent conversations with friends regarding the garden, the fact that we have 80 tomato plants growing has come up and the reaction has been pretty consistent. The response is either eyebrows go up and eyeballs bug out in shock, or they loudly, and with a high pitch voice, exclaim, “Eighty tomato plants!?!?” I don’t judge them for reacting this way, it’s pretty much how I wake up every morning for the last six weeks. Admittedly, it does seem a bit excessive, but we are operating on principles that are older than Western civilization.
I know that Paul wasn’t writing to us or about our situation, but during my devotional reading recently his words certainly spoke to me:
“Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. 11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. 12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. 13 Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. 14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. 15 As the Scriptures say, ‘Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.’” (2 Corinthians 8:10-15).
I can’t take any credit for this idea, it was all Honey. I wanted to grow some okra, she wanted to feed everyone who was hungry. She planted that little seed of an idea, but so many people (some we have never even met and don’t actually know personally) from several states have watered this work with their giving, donations, and prayers, and we have complete trust that in His own good time, God is going to give the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-8).
At the end of harvest season last year, when Honey pitched the idea of doubling the size of the garden from 30x30 to 60x60, my response was, “Are we gardening or farming?” My natural first response to most anything is humor, then reflection. After sitting with it for awhile I began to see her vision and I too wanted to expand. If God wills, and Honey suggests, I have a hunch we will be expanding yet again in the future. It wouldn’t be the first time in history that God used the wisdom and willingness of a woman to motivate a man.
“Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. 11 Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life…She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. 18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night…She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy…Her husband praises her: 29 ‘There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!’” (Proverbs 31:10-12, 16-18, 20, 28-29).
I have a hunch that she and I are reading from the same play book, and she knows that Paul said:
“Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.’ 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say, 'They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.’ 10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem (or Pulaski) will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. 13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. 15 Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!” (2 Corinthians 9:6-16).
We are living in a time when “meanness” seems to be spreading like a thorny weed throughout our society. We can stare helplessly at our phones, doom-scrolling through social media feeds day after anxiety ridden day, or we can sow good seed. I say this in almost every post, because I hope you will take us up on it; come by the farm and get in the dirt with us. You’d be amazed and what a few hours of freedom from our digital cages will do for your spirit. Seriously, come help Honey get some of these plants out of my house and into the ground so I will have room to make my coffee in the morning 😜
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