(First published in the Sept. 2005 edition of the Mount Moriah Baptist Church newsletter.)
One morning this past summer, while working in my garden, I began to reflect on how God blessed me with the strength and energy to complete a lot of work around my house despite my muscle disease. I was able to paint the exterior of our home, build a gazebo made of bamboo, and many other projects—all made possible by God.
I felt blessed by all of this, but I thought, “What have you done lately to honor and serve God?” It was there, in my garden that I decided to rededicate myself to the Lord in an effort to better serve and obey God.
For several years, I gave the Devil opportunities to defeat me through my health. I would become angry when I didn’t feel well enough to attend church. I began to doubt what I could do physically, as well as mentally, and after awhile, became reluctant to fully participate in serving God.
Since that morning in the garden, I have been blessed with a new joy for life and a greater passion for and understanding of the Bible. And, since that morning in the garden, a series of blessings flowed:
I rejoined the Evangelism Ministry at my church, Mount Moriah Baptist Church, and took my son along as we fed the homeless and was blessed as my son joined the Evangelism Ministry as well.
I once again look forward to attending church and not focusing on my health problems as a barrier to my worship and fellowship experience.
I now pray more often throughout the day and call upon the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit to help me.
I also decided to remove the word “worry” from my vocabulary and instead focus on what Jesus taught the disciples as recounted in Matthew 6:24-34 and again in Luke 12:22-34. I especially try to remember what Jesus told them in Luke 12: 25, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”
Other blessings flowed all summer long. Despite a drop in my income by 90%, after leaving full-time teaching due to health problems, God continued to provide for my family, just as He promised.
After ten years of writer’s block, I was finally inspired to finish a series of short stories called, “God’s Glorious Christian Soldiers.” At present, I’m even completing work on my second book—all thanks to God.
As I embark on my next career, that of a writer, I’ve decided to dedicate my work to spreading the Good News and introducing others to Christ. As my pastor, Dr. Lucius Dalton recently told our congregation, the best method to evangelize is by word of mouth. I realize that I certainly need to improve in that area.
I’m a better Christian, husband and father thanks to that garden moment with our Lord. I basically experienced a “spiritual growth spurt” this summer and must thank Jesus daily for that. For without Him, I was truly stumbling along in the dark.
So, whenever the Devil tries to gain a foothold, during a valley day, I will read this article again, to remind myself of God’s awesome mountain experience that awaits each of us.
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