Ashes to Dust to Growth Again

On March 16, 2020, I wrote in my garden journal that one thing that gave me hope through all the coronavirus stuff was that the garden would grow.

I walked around with my camera and saw little signs of life everywhere; bright green garlic shoots, blushing stalks of rhubarb just starting to pop, tender strawberry leaves unfurling from the soil, and blueberry and raspberry bushes coming to life after their winter hibernation. Every corner of the garden had something growing, something alive, something to look forward to. After a long winter, there was so much hope in the vibrant green beginning to emerge everywhere, and with uncertainty and worry building as the coronavirus hit our nation, stepping into the garden and taking a deep breath was my solace.

The next day everything changed. James headed outside to flame weed the asparagus bed. Between the dry leaves and several gusts of wind, he caught the garden on fire. What was left were charred garlic stems, blackened rhubarb stalks, and strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries burnt to a crisp. Not only that, but my tulips, daffodils, and lilies on the other side of the garden fence were ashes.

With smoke from the burning leaves curling up from the leaves like ghosts, it felt like a graveyard. All the signs of life and hope were gone in a matter of seconds.

After a good cry, all we could do was wait and watch and replant.

Over the last couple of weeks we’ve seen regrowth from the ashes. Some things will need replaced, but the garlic is pulling through, the rhubarb, a precious gift from my grandma, is as vibrant and blushing as ever, and we may yet have berries for jam.
It always amazes me how the cycles of the season and lessons from the garden reflect the creator, and in this instance, the magnificence of Easter. To celebrate Easter is to celebrate a God who specializes in bringing life from the dust and the ashes. Whatever it is you are facing this Easter holiday, today is the day to celebrate and know the promise of life from death, that hope can grow from ashes, and that God will make all things new again.

Victory Garden Project