Protected for a Purpose

It was summer, and as usual I was spending it with my grandparents. They enjoyed working in their garden, and I enjoyed working there too.

Then I discovered a secret garden.

The existence of a garden I didn’t know about was odd. My cousins and I had explored every inch of my grandparents’ property. We played hide-and-seek in the front yard—nothing unusual there. The large vegetable garden took up most of the side property, and the corn and grape vines grew behind the house. I had a favorite mulberry tree, and I knew the trees my grandma used to hang laundry out to dry.

Then, while I was playing tag with my cousins one day, I ran through a small, vacant lot next to my grandparents’ house. My quick little feet didn’t get very far before stumbling over something. I stood up from what appeared to be only brush and weeds, but upon further examination, I uncovered a cantaloupe. It was odd for a fruit to be buried like that, I thought. I tried to pick up the cantaloupe, but it was attached to the ground with a vine. I pulled at it, only to discover more vines. They were all over that lot, not only bearing cantaloupe but watermelon. They were all hidden under the brush and weeds.

I ran into my grandparents’ house to share my discovery! My grandpa laughed and told me the fruit belonged to him, and that he’d planted it earlier in the season. When I asked him why it was hidden under all that brush and weeds, he told me.

At the time, I didn’t understand how God illustrated his love for me with the discovery of this secret garden. I didn’t know how again and again he proves his Word in such amazing ways, even with the earliest childhood memories.

My grandpa explained the weeds and brush protected the fruit from any passerby who’d want to steal it. If left in plain sight, the cantaloupe and watermelon might be gone before our family could enjoy the fruits of his labor. He gave me an example of how our Father in heaven protects us, the fruit of his vine: “The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life” (Psalm 121:7 NIV).

This memory was encouraging because it reminded me that I’m a precious fruit in the secret garden of God. Others might see only that I’m covered in brush and weeds. It may seem nothing is growing here. Only the Gardener knows the truth. I’m here, but protected so I can grow to my full potential and one day share my fruit with others. “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:8 NIV).

We all have a calling to glorify God with our fruit. My grandpa knew what it takes for fruit to mature, just like our Father in heaven knows what it takes to protect us until we mature. The process for my grandpa to cover the secret garden with brush and weeds was time-consuming, but it was time well spent. Our Father in heaven knows what it takes to protect us, and he considers it time well spent.

Life can offer a confusing perspective when we focus on the weeds and the brush. It’s easy to think we’re alone and forgotten under all the dead stuff. We can lose sight of the bigger picture. When those thoughts come to mind, I’m thankful for this memory of my grandpa’s secret garden. The Gardener loves me, and I’m protected for a purpose.

Tasha Hart grew up in a small town that taught her to love people and the little things in life. Although born in Indiana, she has experienced life in various places. She is comfortable coloring outside the lines and frequently writes beyond the margins. Tasha blogs at tashartlife.com.

Photograph © Valentina Locatelli, used with permission