Friday, March 04, 2011

Fall From Grace

I suppose I should blog something, lest you all think I jumped off a bridge last week.

hmm...

Literally, about 2 minutes after I hit "publish" on that last post, my sweet friend, Kim, knocked at my door. In her hands was a beautiful little pot full of daffodil plants! Daffodils are my favorite flower, and consequently my birth flower as well. I love how delicate they are, their quiet beauty, how they are tall and slim and how they bloom each year just in time to drag us out of the coldness of winter.  I love them so much! The rest of the day was just as beautiful, with clear blue skies, perfect weather and fairly agreeable kids. Thank you, God, for always, always reminding me that even when things look gloomy, your perfect Grace is right there, waiting for me to see it.


I've been thinking a lot, lately, on the subject of Grace, and finding that sometimes, thankfully, we receive it even when we don't ask for it.  And sometimes, as with a situation I found myself in this week, we have it to give to others when we don't even know it. And when Grace comes over you, it is an amazing, peaceful, freeing feeling. I found a quote that I think sums it up perfectly.
  
"Grace means more than gifts. In grace something is transcended, once and for all overcome. Grace happens in spite of something; it happens in spite of separateness and alienation. Grace means that life is once again united with life, self is reconciled with self. Grace means accepting the abandoned one. Grace transforms fate into a meaningful vocation. It transforms guilt to trust and courage. The word grace has something triumphant in it." - Yrjo Kallinen
Grace happens in spite of something. Indeed.

One of my saving graces is my garden. It helps me focus, relax, center, and release. Oh and it helps my grocery bill too.  The peas, broccoli, onions and some of the lettuce and spinach have sprouted already. I think I am going to plant some green beans this week because I just can't wait any longer. I love fresh green beans! The area where I planted carrots has sprouted with ant hills. *sigh* Let the war begin.  It is so hard to rid the garden of ants!! Basically all you can do is annoy them enough that they move. I am tempted to give them a place to go; perhaps dig a little patch of the yard that I water frequently.

Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace. ~Mary Sarton

Until,
D :)



3 comments:

Wiley said...

Any thoughts on okra?

D said...

@Wiley
Hey! I love growing okra! It's one of my favorites (and the best crop I had last year). I do plan on planting some this year, but it's still a little too cool some evenings for it. I have about 8 square feet saved for it in my second garden bed. I will probably plant it in late March. Thanks for asking!
Dawn

My Captivating Life said...

Okay so here is my southern showing just a little. :) Have you tried putting dry grits out to get rid of the ants? Be sure to put it out just before it rains. They eat it and carry it back to the colony and they eat it, grits expand when wet and then well I am sure you can guess the rest. Not good for the little ants but great for your garden. :) Hope it helps.