The harvest season is upon us and I utterly enjoy the 10 minutes a day that I sneak out to my haven - the garden. I love my kids, adore my husband and am incredibly grateful for my home, Mothers and More and my dear friends. My garden, however, is a place of reverence and quiet for me. Despite the street noise and the toddler who often follows me in, I cannot help but be transported to place of refuge and prayer just by entering the space. The very fact that God allows us to sow and reap nature's goodness is no small miracle for me. In that space, I am almost always happy - and always at peace. I feel the breath of God on my every thought and every movement. It is my olive grove of prayer.
That being said, it is also a place laden with temptation for my toddler. Truly, it is a spiritual battleground! (Laugh) I have lovingly watched him resist the temptation to pick my peppers again and again. After his tomato debacle earlier this summer, he has learned the value mommy places on this precious harvest.
Colored peppers are tempting to everyone - regardless of age and inability to control our impulses. Michael is no exception. He has watched those beauties go from flowers, to tiny fruit, to plump green treats and finally into orange delights. I say finally because even though they are YELLOW peppers, they will never reach their full potential. The bright orange streaked beauties are simply far too tempting for a two year old. One poor pepper, the first to change colors, suffered from Michael's early picking and has vanished from existence. I asked Michael if he picked it and he shly admitted his sin. I asked him where he put it and all he could do was show me where he had picked it from. Probably like all things he values, he has horded it away for another day. Possibly he has forgotten where he stashed it and will rediscover it as a surprise. To protect him from further sin and my peppers from the vanishing act, I harvested two that are almost ready. We will eat and enjoy them despite their unrealized potential. I guess we are just grateful to get anything out of the garden this difficult summer.
Let's just hope that a few more turn orange and then mommy can forgive and forget her lost first fruits.
