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The Abundant Life: P2

by Tina

I keep expressing that good things can come out of bad things. Perhaps I haven’t expressed this on my blog. I’m uncertain. Nevertheless, it’s about time that I proved it.

It’s no secret that I’ve really been struggling during this pandemic.  I never realized how much impact those family gatherings had on my life. During the pandemic there have been no gatherings for birthday’s or holidays.  Andrew and I were pretty isolated to begin with, but this forced everyone into further isolation. It really doesn’t feel so wonderful. We’ve been over to our parents several times and we were invited out to his sister’s once, but other than pickin up groceries we’ve been quite isolated. My husband handles it better than I do. I have entered a season of crying way too much.

As I sat down to use my S.A.D light yesterday morning I was thinking about how much my writing has slowed down. So, my first priority was to pray and ask God for help with my writing among other things.  Earlier the abundant life had been on my heart, but I didn’t have a clue what I’d write. That’s where prayer definitely comes in handy. You really do have to ask for direction.

After my prayers I still needed a little more time in my S.A.D light. So, I grabbed a book that a special friend of mine wrote called “Angels in the Landfill.”  Carlynn passed away many years ago. However, I’m fortunate that I was gifted her book.

I was reading a story about the garden she planted with her daughter. She talked about how her daughter kept a journal and how they carefully thinned out the errant growth. They talked about Jesus’ instruction not to pull up the sprouts with the newly rooted sprouts–as to not inadvertently pluck the good seedlings along with the bad.  

As I read further, she spoke about standing before her garden with a hose only to realize there was no garden. It was her two horses that had consumed everything they’d planted. This really made me laugh. With my laughter also came some tears. The good kind.

These are precious moments and precious relationships that should be well watered and preserved.  I believe that the abundant life is found in among these sorts of gardens—the ones we share with the people we care for as well as the garden we share with our Creator who always lavishes so much love on us. He beckons us to come and sit awhile in the garden with Him, even inviting us to plant, water and carefully thin out that errant growth. As we do we continue to grow, thrive and live abundantly in His grace.

And she’s teary again…


Jesus Satisfies the Parched Soul


“The Lord will always lead you. He will satisfy your needs in dry lands and give strength to your bones. You will be like a garden that has much water, like a spring that never runs dry.”

Isaiah 58:11


“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10:10

(Photo credit goes to Pixabay.com user Irina_kuktus.)

24 thoughts on “The Abundant Life: P2”

  2. I felt the same way at times my sweet daughter. I am single, so when the shutdown began here my only contact with people was my trips to the store or talking at a distance with people who brought me food. Prayed for you.

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  3. Such a beautiful post. God did make us to fellowship with one another. So it is understandable that being isolated will take a toll. I am sorry that this pandemic has been so difficult for you. I pray that things get better. I love what you said at the end. It was so beautiful. What a comforting picture I had in my mind as we entered the Lord’s garden to bask in His love. Blessings, my dear friend.

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  4. This is beautiful put. We need to tend those gardens and then reap the harvest. With patience, faith and love the harvest will be bountiful. That’s such a precious book. I’m going to attend to a gardens that are so precious to me now. Take care my friend.

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  5. Jesus is indeed the only one who can truly satisfy the parched soul.
    Being restricted in meeting people can surely take a toll. Add in all the negativity we read it tends to bring us further down.
    Makes us realise never to take meeting one another or in person church meeting for granted. And made me think to be more intentionally reaching out to spread some love and care.
    Precious moments and precious relationships should be well watered and taken care of – so true.
    I pray that things get better.
    Blessings to you my friend 💙

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  6. Great post, loved the imagery of the garden. (I can empathize with your friend, deer not horses, but the same result.)

    The lockdown for me has been a slightly different struggle. As a true introvert…I didn’t mind working from home, staying at home — with limited “outside” contact. When things began to open up a little, I found it a struggle to be around others. Not a great place either. Need to tend my garden as well.

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  7. Being very introverted and fairly housebound long before this virus, I will say it took me a little while to feel the full toll for myself though I felt it much for my kids who had so much they loved abruptly halted. That was perhaps one of the toughest things to bear. And I fear its return if school goes remote again. Dreading the sadness and loss that goes with it. But, indeed, we must keep tending our gardens for the Lord and finding our comfort in Him, come what may. Thank you for your honesty and lovely words, dear Tina. I hurt knowing you’ve been hurting. Sending hugs and prayers. ❤

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    1. I’m so sorry that things halted for your kids is so tough to bear. I’m sure they will make it through with a lovely mother like you. Sending hugs and prayers back, Marisa. ❤

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  8. I love the verses you put with this post, they’re so fitting.
    And you’re right our garden of life needs watered by one another so God can grow it…it’s a process we can do for one another for His purpose. I’m so glad you’re sharing your struggles so you can be poured into….you really REALLY should join blogger chats Saturday mornings with Matt (Jesuslovesall) and some of us…it’s HUGE encouragement to kick off the days ahead in the following week!!

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  9. Hi Tina, I love gardening stories. I have had gardens mowed down by deer and an occasional rabbit ( I didn’t react graciously).
    “He beckons us to come and sit awhile in the garden with Him”… touched me it, reminded me of my grandmother’s favorite hymn “In the Garden.” Have a blessed week! 🦋💗🌼

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  10. It’s fascinating that one of the first people to see Jesus after His resurrection mistook Him for the gardener.

    I understand that good can come from bad, but it’s harder to wrap my brain around the fact that occasionally bad can come from good. What I mean is this: something I thought was a good thing—even a God thing—turns out not to be.

    Anyway, your garden analogy is a good one. Blessings

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  11. Hello Ma’am, how’s you?? Hope you and sir are doing well in this challenging time..😁😁🙌🙌

    Now coming to your post, you said truly we all suffered from this pandemic whether we believe or not. It causes our mental peace at bay and this COVID pandemic works like a two edges sword…
    On one side if you go outside there’s possibilities that maybe you will be infected by others and on the other side if you stay home, your peace is in danger, what to do and what not is the biggest question!!!
    Though we people maybe helpless but not hopeless, we will ho through it…😁😁😁

    Stay safe, keep smiling..😌😊

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    1. Hi Divyang! We are both still living and breathing! That’s something to be thankful for. Yes, this Pandemic definitely feels like a two edged sword. We WILL ho through it! Thanks for making me smile. ☺ You stay safe and keep smiling too.

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