by Robin Tyler
It was late 80’s. My Mamaw offered to let me pick some greens to cook and have for supper (fyi, supper is currently referred to as dinner). I accepted and went by to pick. She and papaw lived right smack dab in the middle of a very small town with a population about 100. My husband and I lived 2 miles from her.
Arriving at her house I walked in through the side door, as all family and friends did. We grabbed a container to pick the greens. Off to the garden we went.
The greens were directly behind her house in a small garden plot. No rows were laid out. Once the soil had been prepared to receive the seed with a turning disc, plow and fertilizer, the seed were scattered over the soil. The natural effect of rain falling caused the seed to be covered slightly by the soil. The seeds germinated and grew in a scattered array of plants on the plot of ground.
In addition to not having rows, 3 different varieties of greens were planted. She included turnip greens, collard greens and mustard greens. It made the garden look like a smorgasbord of various colors and textures of green. We picked until Mamaw thought I had enough to make a ‘mess’ (enough for a couple servings and a bit more for leftovers). I left and headed home.
Arriving home a sink was filled with water. The greens were washed a couple times and looked for bugs. All bad greens, and of course the bugs, were discarded. They were prepared and eaten as they were planted, with a mixture of various types of greens all in the same pot. Smoked bacon or ham was added for flavor. The pallet of flavor, from the mixture of greens, created a smorgasbord of flavor on our tongue. Mamaw was right, mixing the various types of greens was the best way. It seems each variety presents a different palette of flavor that compliments the pot when all cooked together.
Mamaw and Papaw lived a simple life. In their simple life, laziness was definitely not a trait. Family, automotive and tractor repairs, and a large garden were a few things that kept them busy. The garden was always a family affair. Some bought seed, some decided where to plant, some plowed, some laid off rows, some planted, some fertilized, some hoed, some picked, and we were all happy to eat.
Striving and toiling, on our plot of ground in this life, there is a smorgasbord of people. God’s mixing of various types of people is the best way. It seems each person presents a different palette of flavor in our kingdom work that compliments the pot. There are people over here, other people over there, and even more people over yonder. Some are like turnips, some collards and some mustard. We may live right smack dab in the center of them, a few miles away, or half way around the globe. The smorgasbord of people we walk along side, work along side, minister to, play with and cross paths with is by God’s design.
God’s smorgasbord of turnips, collards and mustards, require special consideration. For it is He, “who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” 1 Timothy 2:4.
It is God’s will all people be picked (saved). The garden God has laid out before us is a family affair. Some Brothers and Sisters get to plant seeds of the gospel by evangelism and discipleship. Some Brothers and Sisters get to decide if planting of the gospel occurs over here, over there, or even over yonder. Some Brothers and Sisters help prepare the soil of hearts with prayer, Bible study, a kind word, teaching, showing love, being patient, asking someone to church, etc. Some Brothers and Sisters get to plant seeds of the gospel with their actions, words or testimony. Some Brothers and Sisters get to fertilize seeds already planted by applying more truth of the gospel. Some Brothers and Sisters get to hoe out weeds of doubt, confusion, social and cultural barriers, and prejudices by revealing truth found in the gospel. Some Brothers and Sisters help God harvest those who believe and accept the gospel. Our whole family gets to rejoice in the harvest!
God is cooking up a smorgasbord of flavor mixing all His ‘greens’ together. He is creating a heaven more wonderful than we can ever imagine. God knows best!
Verse: “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” John 4:34-38 (NIV)
Prayer: Thank you Lord for the smorgasbord of people we walk along side, work along side, minister to, play with, and cross paths with. Open our eyes how we can prepare the soil of hearts, where seeds need to be planted, when to fertilize, what to hoe, and who you are calling to be picked.
Response: Enjoy planting and picking with your family.