It is always time to get our personal gardens in whether it winter, spring, summer, or fall. Patti has joined us to give us a quick look at soil. As the weather turns colder, those bulbs that have been chilling in our fridges will soon be ready to go down under. Throughout the winter will feed on our favorite cold weather veggies. Then by the first hint of springtime warmth those crocuses, daffodils, and tulips will pop their heads up for our pleasure and enjoyment.

In the following scripture, that GOOD SOIL is the first ingredient we will need to have healthy, bearing plants.

"It was planted in good soil by great waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine."
Ezekiel 17:8

The soil provides air, food and water to our plants through the root system. Without these three ingredients, the plants will die. If it does not have the necessary amount of each ingredient, our plants will certainly not grow to be healthy and productive.

You and I as children of God are no different. We need to have a balance of spiritual air, food and water to be healthy and productive Christians. Let us explore what kind of soil you are and if any additives are needed.

Sandy Loam: This soil is well drained and aerated, workable for most of the year. It dries out quickly and needs additional watering. It is referred to as "hungry" soil because it needs lots of extra feeding.

Clay, Silty Clay: Both are difficult to work and manage, but usually contain a good supply of plant food and lime. Clay holds too much water and takes a lot of effort to work.

Chalk, Limestone: These soils contain a high proportion of chalk or lime. They are often very shallow soils, and severely limit types of plants that can be grown successfully in them. Trying to change the soil is usually an uphill struggle and quite expensive.

Peat Moss: This is probably the best natural soil available. It is rich in plant foods, easily workable early in the season. It is possible to convert existing soil into peat type soil by adding large amounts of organic matter. It can be time consuming and costly at first, but once you get there life becomes much easier.

WHAT KIND (OR COMBINATION) OF SOIL ARE WE?

• Are we "workable" (flexible to change from our will to God's will)?
• Are we "difficult to work & manage" (stubborn in doing things our way, rather than God's)?
• Are we "limited in growth" (Do we think change and growing in the Lord is too difficult)?
• Are we "rich in plant foods" (wise in the knowledge of God's Word)?

What do we need to "add to" or "purge from" our soil in order to be ready for tilling?

Tilling warms the soil up and gets it ready for planting. It mixes amendments into the soil and dilutes things that can cause plants to struggle to become healthy and productive. It also churns the new compost from the top and mixes it into the "good old stuff".

Soil is good stuff---after all, it is what we are made of, right?

"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground."
Genesis 2:7

Let us spend some time reflecting in prayer on the two verses Patti shared and see how we fit into our spiritual fall gardens. Let us keep those shovels, rakes, and hoes handy. Our Lord will reveal to us all where we have need for improvement, and I am certain He will want to dig deep. (ed.)