The Garden

When we moved into our newest home in Madison, we were thrilled with the size of the lot. We own roughly 1/2 an acre... which is a lot of room in town. In fact, there are three full back yards and a smidgen of another that butt up to our property! Why were we so excited??? We could finally have a garden!!

During all of the years that we lived in the Pekin area, we had a garden. Each year we put out tomatoes, peppers, squash, and green beans. Every year, Mickey canned salsa for himself, and green beans that were enjoyed at nearly every family function. He does make THE BEST green beans you've ever eaten. I no longer try!!!! While they are tasty when he has fixed those bought from the store, using his canned green beans makes them even better.

Last year we had no garden, our Wolf Trails home just didn't have room for one. By Easter of this year, we were using the last three quarts of our home canned beans. So when spring rolled around, we put in a small garden - 7 rows of beans, 10 tomato plants, two jalapeno plants, and green onions. I must say, the green beans have already outdone themselves!!

Our first pick, Mick was able to can 35 quarts and we gave a "mess" to my in-laws. The second pick, Mick canned 19 quarts and I fixed a huge amount for the family to enjoy on Saturday. This morning I walked out to check the garden after all of our rain, and the beans are ready to pick again!!! Mick said he guessed we'd just keep picking and canning until we ran out of jars!!!

I must admit, when I first walked up to the garden this morning I thought, "Oh no... we will have to pick beans again!!!"  However, I was quickly reminded that I need to be THANKFUL!!!!!

I should be THANKFUL that we have the space for a garden, where so many would just love a yard of their own.

I should be THANKFUL for more beans than we anticipated, when so many go without even a mouthful of food in a day.

I should be THANKFUL for the rains and the sun that God provides that help our garden to grow, while so many areas of our country are in a drought.

I should be THANKFUL for a husband who takes the time to can what we have grown. You see, I am terrified of the pressure canner... yes.... I'm a chicken!!!


I am reminded that I need to be THANKFUL IN ALL THINGS.... not just in those times that I get what I want, but at ALL times!!!!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says:  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.  

It is God's will that we BE THANKFUL....  so I think that it is time to change my way of thinking!!! How about you??

Have a Blessed Day!

Lynn