“For this I labor and struggle, in accord with the exercise of his power working within me” (Colossians 1:29).

Bearing Fruit: Cultivating the Garden of Our Hearts

Gardens are an important setting in Scripture. Adam and Eve are created in the Garden of Eden, born out of God’s great love for us (Genesis 2). Jesus prays and suffers in the Garden of Gethsemane before he is arrested and crucified (Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46)—again, out of love for us.

This Lent, the Catholic Women in Business team is meditating on our interior garden, where we can invite God to help us bear fruit. As St. Augustine wrote, “The turn of phrase by which the man is said to work the land, which is already land, into also being landscaped and fertile, is the same as the one by which God is said to work the man, who was already a man, into also being godfearing and wise.”

The Trap: “Compare and Despair”

The summer backyard barbeque: the telltale aroma of a casual gathering of friends and neighbors conversing and laughing against a backdrop of fireflies, vibrant seasonal blossoms, and deep hues of freshly mowed grass.

When it comes to hosting such an occasion, a dear friend of the family makes it an art. Her guests can look forward to a welcoming atmosphere and lively conversations. Her back porch is an especially beautiful setting; an elaborate collection of flowering plants and long vines grace the railings where guests relax from the heat of the summer day.

After spending a refreshing evening at one particular summer twilight gathering, I returned home and stepped out onto my own balcony, a meager space that suited the cozy two-bedroom apartment my husband and I called home. Breathing in the sweet summer evening air, my eyes fell upon the few small sprouts of green hooked to the railing: one small herb garden. A twinge of inferiority bubbled up from within as I let out an audible sigh.

It’s so easy to look at the product of someone else’s time, labor, and commitment and fall into the trap of “compare and despair.” The tendency can feel inescapable; the world loudly celebrates accomplishments and impressive milestones but glosses over all the work leading up to such celebrations. We marvel at the bright blossoms and winding vines and all but ignore the fragile sprouts.

Seeds of Hope

Yet it is exactly those fragile little sprouts that contain so much hope, because there is something sacred in the beginning of a new project or journey. Lofty ideas and a clear vision, juxtaposed with humble first steps, can often become the fondest memories of a success story. Consider the breathtaking moment of the following monumental beginnings:

• The entrepreneur landing her first client.

• The first-time homebuyers unlocking the door of their modest fixer-upper.

• The young couple snuggling their first baby.

• The novice writer scribbling down the content for the rough draft of her book.

Miniscule seeds that contain heaps of virtue: courage, undeterred determination, and an untarnished faith. It is the glowing hope of these seeds that spurs energy and focus into cultivating a dream.

As we start to approach the end of Lent, let us stop looking into the neighbor’s garden and focus instead on the humble but significant seeds of our own projects, goals, and dreams. Instead of lamenting what we haven’t achieved in comparison to another, let’s harness the excitement of our unique God-given potential, ultimately trusting in the one who inspired the vision in the first place. And, in humility, let us trust that these sacred starting points are exactly where God leads us.

Because whether we are tending gorgeous backyard gardens or spending valuable energy watering a few young herb sprouts, God is the source and breath of our efforts. And, by his grace, these sacred beginnings can grow into success more beautiful than we could ever envision on our own.

Kimberly Lynch is a former teacher who ventured into the world of copywriting and freelance writing. A New Englander at heart, she earned her B.A. from Colby College and her M.A. from Middlebury College. She enjoys a strong cup of coffee in the morning, a leisurely run in the late afternoon, and a good book in the evening. Kimberly is also the fundraising chair and board member for Phoenix Project, a local domestic violence agency. She resides in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with her husband and seven children. Visit her online at her website, PassingThroughMountains.com, and on Instagram and Facebook.