Thoughts From Our Pastor
Dear PPPC -
We’re fully in summer mode now!
School has been out for a couple weeks, we’ve celebrated Fourth of July Weekend, rental homes are full, we’ve had severe thunderstorms, heat waves, perfect summer days, and more. And it’s only late-July!
Against my better judgement, I’ve dipped my toe into the gardening world this summer, both with flowers and veggies.
There have been many lessons so far - here are a few:
There are plants that you have to cut back significantly, in order for bigger blooms and harvests in the future. This is perhaps the hardest for me…the hydrangeas were beautiful last year, and so at the end of their bloom, I need to severely cut them back? It’s counter-intuitive. But as I’ve learned, it’s necessary. You have to cut back in order to put more energy into the roots.
Enjoy the optimism of May!
Some plants simply won’t grow. Don’t waste your time or jealousy that someone else can grow it. Look around at the garden you can grow and appreciate it. Tend to it. Delight in it.
Do not be reckless with other people’s cuttings.Do not tolerate those who are reckless with yours. Some gardeners are generous enough to share their propagated cuttings with you. Now that I’ve somewhat-successfully grown my own plants, I understand the labor and love that went into the cuttings given away.
Do not worry about the weeds. Or do worry, knowing that worrying about weeds is about as effective as trying to count the grains of sand at the beach.
These are just a few things I’ve learned while gardening this summer.
Except, they’re not only lessons about gardening, are they?
….
Following worship this Sunday, Chris and I are headed to West Virginia for my family’s annual vacation together. Rev. Linda Chase will be providing pastoral care while I’m away. Rev. Douglas G. Chase will be preaching and leading worship on August 2nd. I’ll be back in the office on August 3rd - see you then!
Yours for the journey,
Pastor Molly