11.05.2025 | Ordinary Wednesday

Rooted in Wisdom, Ready for Winter
"They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more."
—Jeremiah 31:12 (NIV)
 
It’s that time of year when this old gardener heads outside to finish buttoning up the garden for the coming winter. We’re expecting our first hard freeze this weekend, so it’s time to bring in the last of the houseplants. They’ve already been “quarantined” and treated with an organic spray to keep any little hitchhikers from sneaking indoors. Believe me, it’s far easier to deal with unwanted invaders before they settle in than after they’ve taken over. If you know, you know!
 
But the work of closing the garden isn’t just about scrubbing pots and prepping soil, it’s also about preparing myself. This is my time to dig a little deeper, clear out what’s no longer needed, and make space for spiritual renewal. As I create a healthier garden for the next growing season, I’m also cultivating a more grounded, spiritually healthy gardener.
 
This season reminds me to reconnect with nature and remember that everything, and everyone, is connected. We are stewards of harmony, both in the garden and in our lives.
 
The only thing that is good for any of us is that which is good for all of us. That is wisdom. And wisdom isn’t about clinging to the way things have always been done, it’s about making ancient truths come alive in the present. To stay vibrant, to stay truly alive, we must open ourselves to life’s eternal dream: the dream of becoming a better person tomorrow than we are today.
 
The work we do—and the way we do it is the legacy we leave for future generations.
 
As for me, my main goal is simple: to live. Truly live, until I die. That may just be one of life’s greatest virtues.
 
As I tuck the garden in for its winter rest, I’m reminded that dormancy is not death—it’s preparation. Beneath the surface, life stirs. Roots deepen. Soil settles. And so do I. May this season of quiet tending bring peace to your spirit and strength to your roots. Let us live fully, even in stillness.