Most people enjoy flowers; even if they are allergic, they at least appreciate their beauty. Any room or yard can be improved by placing a vase of flowers there. What little girl has not, at some moment, put a daisy or dandelion in her hair to cheer herself up or just to feel more like a girl?


In the Bible, flowers are referenced as a symbol of God's care, provision and glory. Even after dying and drying up, flowers find new value as potporri, again used for their beauty and fragrance.


Imagine a bed of flowers, flowers of all kinds, planted by hands, and planted by the wind. Imagine also, beds of herbs and vegetables, and fruit trees. These, too, are appreciated for their beauty, as well as their nutritional contents. Lots of people decorate their kitchens with produce, or at least images of it. Herbs like mint, thyme and basil are appreciated for their pleasing fragrance, among other qualities.


We may not all be the owner of a green thumb, but we all enjoy the products of the garden. They flavor our food, perfume our air and beautify our surroundings. But what is seldom considered is the soil from which these things are delivered to us.


We don't generally enjoy dirt. Dirt is not particularly attractive. I have yet to see someone scoop up a handful of dirt, raise it to their nose and comment how wonderful it smells. I doubt most people would fill a vase with it so they could enjoy its appearance day after day on their dining room table.


It is pretty easy for most of us to forget that almost all of the natural things we enjoy  were grown somewhere. Fruit and vegetables must come from a seed, but  before that happens, the seed must fall into the ground and die. Flowers may be a symbol of glory, but dirt is a symbol of sacrifice and death.


Dirt is appreciated for what it can give, but not for its own sake. Sometimes we feel more like dirt than a flower. We feel we have no beauty to behold, no fragrance to offer. Everyone just walks over us, or past us. No wants to look at us; we would never be put on display. We would not have value after expiring because there was no life in the first place. At least this is how some of us can sometimes feel.


Dirt's whole existence is to facilitate the growth of others, and never be noticed. Seeds are entrusted to it, it nurtures them, it gives them support and roots. Then, when they have reached maturity, they are plucked away to be enjoyed, appreciated and displayed. The dirt is left behind to do it all over again.


It would seem that the dirt has a thankless job. Yet, there is One who understands and appreciates the dirt, who sees it as so much more than just dirt, but as precious soil. That is the Gardener.


No one knows the value of the soil in a garden better than the One who has labored in it season after season, to bring forth life and beauty. No one understands sacrifice better than the Lord, who sacrificed for us more than anyone ever could or ever would.