I often think that my garden reflects the state of my soul.
And right now, my garden would definitely benefit from some time and maintenance after the harshness and cold of winter. It’s looking very sorry for itself: bedraggled and unkempt, despite the flowering bulbs that have provided some colour and hope this spring.
It is like this purely due to my inattention. So, too, with my soul…
Hildegard of Bingen, a pioneering Benedictine abbess, taught about viriditas, which means “greenness” or “vitality.”
She believed the soul is meant to be alive, fresh, and growing- like a healthy, green plant. When we are close to God, we are spiritually “green”: full of life, energy, creativity, and joy.
But when we become disconnected- from God, from truth, or from whatever nourishes us, then our soul can become dry, tired, and withered.
So, the “greening of the soul” is about being renewed by God’s life within us, allowing Him to restore our strength so we can grow, flourish, and bear good fruit.
I wonder what the garden of my own soul looks like right now?
We are designed by God to grow, not just survive; designed to be nurtured and fruitful in the place where we are. That means having seasons in our lives of different types of growth, for no-one can be fruitful all year round.
I wonder what season of growth I am in at the moment?
Our inner condition affects everything we do. When our souls are uncared for and unnourished, then the inner weeds of busyness, anxiety, stress, comparison, and resentment can take over. We each have our own local weeds that seem to take root easily in the soil of our lives and weave their roots amongst the good things we try to cultivate.
Yet, when we attend to nourishing and cultivating the good soil of rhythm, rest, faith, prayer and gratitude in our lives then we nurture both heart and soul, so that our spirits can sing as we grow steadily upwards in Christ.
Can I identify weeds that need removing from my own life that will enable my soul to grow well?
In the busyness of attending and caring for others, I am often inattentive of the needs of my own body.
I forget to have enough rest, staying up too long to complete seemingly important tasks. I resort to eating things my body craves instead of the healthy nutrition my body needs.
I get too involved in planning, preparing, sitting at the studio table- all things I love to do- but do not leave enough time to exercise or spend time outdoors.
I forget that self- care is not selfishness but stewardship of my soul.
How might I attend to the needs of my own body (God’s temple) to enable my soul to flourish?
When time seems short, in the delusion and pursuit of busyness, I often forfeit the things that my spirit needs most. The still space for Scripture and prayer, where I am more likely to hear God’s voice, meet with Him, and grow is sacrificed to the earthly call of urgency to complete tasks. Yet when I allow God in, it is these things that enable nourishment, pruning, growth and renewal.
When we tend both body and soul, our lives are nurtured and nourished. Our lives may then bloom with increased vibrancy, joyful creativity, purpose and peace within as we reflect the nature of God our Gardener.
Where specifically do I need to nurture my spirit?
When I look at what needs attending to in both my garden and my soul, it can sometimes feel a little overwhelming at the work that needs doing. But I need to remember that small purposeful attention, a little at a time, carried out regularly will go a long way to restoration, as God meets me in the process of transformation.
How could I attend to one small thing today in my own life that would help to “green my soul”?
So, as I tackle my overgrown garden, a little at a time, pulling the weeds, clearing away last year’s debris, and planting new seeds, I will also be working with God on tending my soul, too. I will be looking at all that may need to be pulled out, what may need clearing away and what new seeds might be asking to be sown in my life as space is created ready for new growth.
How about you?
