Restoration: "God, the Devil, and Divorce" Memoir Writing

 ​I've been thinking a lot about restoration as I work in my garden. Many years ago, I had a bountiful garden in Albuquerque. My husband helped me landscape it with raised rows and channels between where the water flowed. We covered it all with indoor-outdoor carpeting that keep the moisture in and the weeds out. I grew giant Russian sunflowers and strawberry popcorn. A "garden" snake resided under the snow peas, eating the bugs. I made baby food for our son from our fresh vegetables.
​
Back then we restored a little grapevine left behind by a
​previous owner, as well as a plum tree that had been  

besieged with insect borers. That spring, the tree was covered in fragrant blossoms and began to set fruit. But there was a threat of frost -- did you know Albuquerque is a mile-high city and it gets cold in the winter and early spring? My clever husband covered it with an old electric blanket, protecting the nascent crop. My, did we enjoy the juicy harvest that summer!

Our happy family went through several moves after that, leaving our little paradise behind us. Our marriage slowly devolved, and, after twenty-five years, I had to leave. It was a time of great sorrow, but I clung to God and I gardened when and where I could. I believed that God's promise to the Israelites in Jeremiah 29:11 could apply to me too. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

God eventually provided me with a wonderful husband, and we've been married for thirteen years. Five years ago we moved to our forever-on-this-earth home, and we've made a good start at creating a garden. Together we built tall raised beds that allow me to harvest the vegetables without too much bending over. ​​I've planted sweet corn, straw-berry popcorn, and sunflowers alongside. 

We've started a little orchard of fruit trees, and, just last week I planted a grape vine next to the arbor gate. My knowledge of gardening practices is growing too. I'm learning about crop rotation, companion planting, and permaculture.

After that dark, dark time, my life has been restored to abundance. Because I lost so much and have since been given so much, I am wholly confident in the Lord's provision. The depth of my gratitude is without measure, and my cup of joy overflows. If you are going through a dark time, I hope you'll be encouraged by my story of learning to lean on the Lord.

Blessings,
Linda.