As a novice at gardening, I recently learned that there are some things that can be planted late summer and harvested in the fall. Collard Greens are one of those vegetables. As we enter the fall season, which can be hard for many, I thought I would share a few lessons my collard greens recently taught me:
1. I am resilient--my collard greens have been through droughts, and flooding but they continue to come back after all they have been through. So have I 2. I grow from my center (inner most parts) --When I harvest the collard greens, I start from the bottom and move toward the top and center of the plant. What I notice when I have picked the biggest leaves is that there are tiny leaves still growing in the center. If I wait a few weeks, the inner parts continue to grow until they are large enough to harvest. 3. I may have ‘holes’ but I’m still ‘whole’-- Occasionally, very hungry caterpillars will eat through the leaves of the collard greens, but the remainder of the green leaf is still edible. We may have holes from are experiences but that does not make us any less whole. 4. My purpose is to nourish something outside of myself-- Just as the collard green is designed to nourish something outside of itself, so are we. Our growth is meant to nourish someone else so we must not keep it to ourselves. Share with someone all that you are learning on your journey toward intimacy! (it is why I write these blogs) 5. I require the RIGHT TYPE of nutrients to grow-- Each item in my garden requires a slightly different nutrient to grow to its potential. So too do we. Take the time to figure out what you need to grow. It is worth the investment. 6. I require the RIGHT AMOUNT of nutrients to grow--Some plants require more light or darkness than others. Some of us require more or less rest, carbs, proteins, or fats to grow as we should. The amount that nourishes you may neglect the needs of someone else. Know what is right for you and focus on that. 7. When I am pruned, I reach my full potential- When leaves have changed color on collard greens, it is likely that they need to be pruned. They are dying and they must be cut off so that they do not pull the nutrients from the other parts of the plants that need them. 8. I am consistently adapting to thrive in my environment--When it is too hot, the collard greens begin to slow in their growth. They grow best when it is cooler. It is as if they are adapting to conserve their energy when it is hot so that they can grow to their fullest potential when the temperature is right. 9. I must seek the sun/SON in order to grow-- My collard greens don't always grow straight up, they sometimes grow at an angle. That angle is always in the direction of the sun. We must change our angles and grow in the direction of the SON, Jesus Christ. 10. When I grow to my potential...I am good for the SOUL!-- There is nothing like a good pot of greens cooked to perfection!
Collards are one of my favorite soul foods... so Thankful for the lessons from my collard greens...
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