Gardening for Good

One of the projects for our Parents Ministry this summer was to grow veggies in a garden plot on our church grounds.  We have a huge church garden cared for by many families and different church groups.  The Parents Ministry has one plot in the big garden and we all take turns weeding and harvesting the veggies.  The veggies are then sold at church services on the weekend or donated to local food pantries and other minitries that provide food to the needy.

I really want the kids to grow up knowing what it's like to serve and to have service oriented hearts.  I think it's so important that they realize how lucky they are and want to help those less fortunate than themselves.  I want them to know that we are put on this earth to be the hands and feet of Jesus and to help people the way he did. 

I also want them to know that serving Christ isn't just donating money and doing the easy things.  While being generous with our money is certainly important, sometimes you have to do hard work and get in the dirt to serve Jesus.  This is certainly one of those projects. 

Last night was the last time we had to tend to the garden.  Harvesting is wrapping up and there isn't much left to pick.  The kids did really great!  Claire's still a bit young to be a real help, but Jack got right in there and picked the veggies and judged the good from the bad and put them in the bins.  Our plot was mostly picked already, but he helped another couple on a different plot harvest a lot of their veggies and throw the bad ones in the field.  Jack is usually shy, but he introduced himself and did everything they asked of him.  Claire followed right behind him and I'm so proud of both of them!

Oh, and did I mention he gardens in his cowboy boots?