Gardening Withdrawal

  

I'm doing my best to keep this in spiritual perspective, but the truth of the matter is, I enjoy gardening.  I didn't realize how much, until this year.  The last Shemitah, my life was in quite a personal crisis, not to mention a tornado, so there was much going on that spring.  As I write this, I am really under conviction that I'm still lacking the proper priority for this observance.

It's of course been a matter of debate for nearly a year now, and not just this year or next, but do we observe outside the "land?"  Then there's the school of thought, it's just a matter of rotating fields or bypassing the land all together and going with aquaponics.  And for those of us outside the land, do we synchronize with the Land of Israel or keep our 7th year of homesteading?  We're people, so of course, there will be at least four perspectives.  Honestly, I've been all over the place with these various perspectives, previously, but my 7th year here aligns with Israel's observance, so I'm going with that.  I've covered this before, but I really feel led to say, I can't say everyone who isn't doing what I'm doing is wrong.
As I have considered the days I usually spend in the garden in the spring, I am hopefully redirecting my focus to Abba's plan for me this year as the land rests.  Even though we humans are from the dust of the earth, I don't think He intends for me to sit idle as the land rests.

Since the passage that addresses the land sabbath also mentions the animals increasing, I'm focusing on the herd this year.  I do remember back in 2008, although I wasn't really sure what I was doing or the timing, how very much I valued that time just out with the herd and flock.  I really do love my critters and enjoy the time I spend with them.  I smile as I consider this past Thursday.  Traditionally, that is a day I spend in the garden.  This year, I found myself sorting through my own herd, shipping a couple to the auction and bringing home a few new ones.  As the land rests, the herd shall increase, YHWH willing.

Introducing Jemimah, Keziah, and Kerem-Hapook