How does your garden grow....

     So a few days ago I really felt the need to teach Catie about giving. Two summers ago our neighbor from across the street lost her husband to Cancer. One of the sweetest men I've ever met! He was a retired vet and just absolutely adored his family! I knew this time of year is especially hard for Elsie so I decided that she would be the one we blessed during this lesson.The idea came into my head that we should give Elsie the first rose off of Catie's bush.Being that God loves the first fruit and all it seemed appropriate. Well we were too late the sun had gotten too it and it was wilted as can be. So we brought her a head off her snapdragon instead. Oh and a cupcake:) I explained to Catie that it makes God smile when we give to others. I told her that God blesses us when we give of what we have to help someone who may be sad or lonely. I then said that I would be willing to bet that her garden would grow big and strong if she gave with a happy heart. She was reluctant at first,but the she became very excited and was excited to make Elsie's day.I think she believed that once you pick a flower that that's it for that plant. We went and sat with Elsie and just chatted for about 30mins or so. She loved talking to my quirky little girl and I loved seeing a smile on her face!

The large head to the right is the one we cut off for Elsie! There are 4 new large heads about to burst with blooms!

 

     So here it is 4 days later and bam!! God has truly blessed her garden! Roses that had no growth on them have 4 buds near to blooming and plants that were dieing have been revived.  And the very snapdragon we had snipped a head off of is going crazy!! Catie was so excited to see how big everything is getting! I should also mention that with this heat and mommy forgetting to water for those 4 days the garden should not be doing this great lol!! I love that God gives us promises we can stand on! His word is as true today as it was the day it written! It was an easy example for my daughter that she enjoyed and it was a great way to share a little practical application of God's word! I love her desire to know more about God and her friend Jesus! She is especially interested in the story of Jesus dieing on the cross for us! She takes it very personal and that warms my heart. I may fail miserably as a mom some days,but God's grace is filling in my gaps in a big way with this girl! Now if only we can get the boy talking instead of growling ;)