A welcome garden

I want my garden to be welcoming. I enjoy it. I am sure God enjoys it because I meet with him there regularly. The birds enjoy it, the possums, my dogs, my cat and the neighbour's cat when she can get to hide in the limelight bushes to stalk the birds feeding on the grass. A zillion bugs enjoy it. Nothing is static in a live garden. Even in winter, worms are munching under ground and winter flowers like camellias, azaleas and early cheer are at their best. If I had a garden that was a digital garden made with blocks of colour, mathematically drafted, I could sit back and enjoy my creativity without the challenge of the zillion bugs or the weeds that come from everywhere and nowhere. If I had a garden where I had concreted it over and painted that green, or used artificial grass, or sculptures instead of trees, perhaps, I would have less work? But I would have less life too. I have noticed that the more life and activity there is, the more mess there can be too. And it is hard work making a garden to be that peaceful but live place. My soul is like this too. I want life. And I want to be fruitful with my life. And I want to be welcoming. And I want others to be able to meet with God because they have met me. I want God to enjoy the garden of my life. So, I have to nurture the things that make me fruitful. And wince as God prunes the bits that are dead or unfruitful. And look for weeds in my attitudes and for slugs in my behavior. Hard work. But I would rather be spiritually alive than put in some plastic Christian life that produces nothing. Glory be to God for cockatoos and correllas They make plenty of noise and eat a lot But I'd rather welcome to my garden, these fellas than have a concrete, uninviting plot!