“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:7

The Garden at the church was looking rather rough and needed a ‘spruce up’ for the weekend. Living in a tropical forest (Florida) presents many challenges, weeding and trimming being part of the deal. I was looking forward to the dirty, sweaty work mainly because I was NOT going to be working alone. Having asked a couple of my seniors to give me a hand, they readily agreed.

Our church has a Memorial Butterfly Garden. It was my dad’s idea, many years ago, to have a place for Church members to bury the cremains of loved ones passed on. A place devoid of tombstones and cemetery paraphernalia, its purpose is to be a pretty and peaceful place where remembrance and prayer are the keys for entry. God is ALWAYS there, as it is one of His favorite places to meet. Working with living loved ones always makes it a special time for me.

There was no boss or structured plan. It was enough to know that the Garden needed tending. Each of us interpreted that differently as Helga raked and Howie pulled weeds with his hands. I learned that Howie doesn’t use gloves… as well as HIS plans for when He passes on to his heavenly home. Helga and I remembered her husband Steve, and I was shocked it had already been 5 years since he passed. We miss him. I remembered MY family members who were right there as well. Just awaiting ground-breaking Rapture!

Church is not a building but a people. All of us have a mission to serve Christ here on earth as He works His mission in and through each of us… differently but together. I heard a saying years ago that I like to repeat. “No one of us, have it all together. But all of us together, have it all.” John 15:1 are words from Jesus Himself. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” It is the Father’s Garden and He has graciously invited US to help tend to the business of serving His son.

There is a sweet spirit that falls upon garden tenders as, together, we work toward the common good. Yesterday’s garden work gave way to love, joy, reminiscing and our future certain hope. Being together as the church, we HAD church! And it was VERY good!