What does it take to be content where we are?

I moved along the garden row, pulling weeds as I did so. I noticed one marigold plant in the row along the edge of the garden that was not aligned with the others. Every time I saw it, it bugged me, but with it being hot and the plant contentedly blooming where it was I decided against moving it.

The children enjoyed helping me plant the garden this spring, now together we were pulling weeds. I looked at that marigold again- six inches out of alignment, then something struck me. Why, isn’t that marigold plant like me? Set apart- different from the rest. That flower plant had no choice where its seed had fallen, neither did I choose to do life as a widow or single parent. I knew in my heart that life is not simple for anyone, yet I looked at the row of flowers stretching out on either side of it; they were in a straight row- is that what normal life looks like?

That evening I had the opportunity to chat with a friend from Indiana. I enjoyed listening to her bits of insight and experience. Somehow the conversation turned to what is normal in life. Her words caught my attention, “I have found that when I look around me, searching for a normal life, I am really looking for perfect.”

I pondered those words. I knew it was true. As I chatted with my out-of-state friend, I thought of their shop that had burned down a couple years, health issues they dealt with, and other hardships that added to the perplexities of life. From a general observer their life would fall under what I would earlier have call ‘normal range’.

So tell, me what is normal?

This morning it seems to me normal looks something like messy and challenging obstacles to climb, as we realize the education or expertise we have acquired will not be enough to get us through life. The good part is that many joys are bound to follow as we resign of the thought of handling it on our own, and leave it all up to the Master Gardener.

Perhaps, when I walk past the row of marigolds mulched with yellow straw I will see something besides a plant out of place. And perhaps you and I both feel like that plant- a bit different than the rest.

Know what? The marigold seems to be happy, six inches closer to the yard than all the rest. He is blooming where he’s at with no power to deliver himself from his current situation in life.

Nice. That’s who I want to be. Content to be where I’m at, unashamed, and delighted to bloom for the One who planted me where He did.

Talking of blooming, our favorite garden goodies right now are cucumbers, in full bloom and bearing. The children know they can go pick and snack on them any time they please. Recently they developed a keen liking for canned dill pickles straight from the jar. So hopefully one of these times we’ll go at it and can a bunch of them. When I was a girl, my mom was the only one who liked them, so I was surprised when my children acted like it was candy, downing a quart jar for their afternoon snack. I sure don’t mind canning pickles without sugar, so off we go.

My mom used to make what I call the old fashioned cucumber salad. I’ve never used a recipe for it with exact amounts, but I’ll see if I can get one together for you to try. Or if it is easier for you, just slice up your cucumbers, add your favorite dressing, and if you like, a handful of chopped onions and peppers, and some of those teeny tomatoes. We like those pea tomatoes, but beware, if you have one plant this year, you’ll have a whole bunch volunteer plants next year, and they won’t be in perfect rows, either! They’ll bloom where they have naturally been planted the previous year as it nigh impossible to pick all those teeny red bites, so they leave seeds for the following year.

This year I have some of these plants where I was not planning on having tomatoes, but they seem to be happy where they are, so that is where they will be. What will it take for you and I to be content where we are- even when it hurts?

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Cucumber salad

1/2 cup mayo

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 tablespoon vinegar

2 tablespoons sugar

2 cups sliced cucumbers

1. Mix together first four ingredients.

2. Add cucumbers, if desired add a sprinkle of chopped onions, peppers, or even bacon bits.

3. Serve immediately.