something damaged, something that survives
by ChristaWells
The dogs determined to gain entry to the vegetable garden. Dragged out the extra roll of weed-blocker and decorated the yard in bits of black plastic. Bless them.
The gentle deer we love to watch, thrilled at the wide-open invitation, feasted overnight on the mammoth leaves of prolific zucchini (the only thing I grow really well–sorry, kids) and the wild tomato vines that never did get caged. They even chomped all the little leaves off the green bean plants Sammy and I planted from seed.
The kids were sent off to soccer camp this week, along with the husband, and in the packing and shipping process – because of my dedication to using this time for writing and not cleaning – not one shoe or bag or non-perishable food item has found its way home. All is on floor or counter.
I snatch every possible minute of solitude to write write write; thus the piano room is littered with papers and headphones and pens and moldy coffee cups. No company coming in this week, thank goodness.
Forested mountains are burning in Colorado. Human beings born perfectly healthy are destroyed by poverty and abuse and sin, and I’m tempted to see the world as one big chaotic mess. A lovely idea, Lord – just not working out. Beauty and goodness are dragged across the lawn in shreds.
But I looked again, and I saw daisies abloom in my messy yard! Lots and lots of them huddled in happy mass.
I saw color on the cheeks of happy kids.
I saw that we’d eaten well, really well, this week, filled to the brim with the fruit of local farms. (Thanks, Go Local Produce!)
I opened Garageband and heard good, strong melodies born just yesterday. Yay!!!
And, surprise! Cute little tiny baby green tomatoes surviving the stampede. Hello, tiny little green tomatoes!
All is not lost. Rain will come. The gate will be fixed. We will keep sowing and planting and going out to harvest the Good and the Beautiful and the True.
Yes?
…..
What do you see? Something damaged…something that survives?
Christa…love the post and pictures…and i will be praying for your gift of time this week…youed heart tuned to His…giving you words and music for HIs Body:)
And doesn’t death and pain come before life…expect a seed falls to the ground and dies…the contraction of a belly…so hard and painful right before new life comes forth. And I am so very thankful…He does make beauty from ashes…from the fires in our lives…and even in the mountains. Have a blessed and free week~
My body is so broken today. My plans for my life so completely changed and still slowly and surely He has changed the way I view it all. From the pen of St. Augustine I am understanding the whole purpose of this life is the healing of the heart’s eye through which God is seen. Christa, your word and melody art is on my daily playlist. It offers healing and sight to a sister who daily crawls to sit at the foot of the cross and softly sings to my Savior who redeems my damaged heart and life. LOVE.
“the healing of the heart’s eye through which God is seen…” YES. Thank you for that. Monica…I read your recent post on your blog. Thank you for your honesty there, for sharing what is so hard to talk about. Thank you for inspiring us from your spot there at the foot of the cross. Love to you and your dear family…
The critters around here don’t know the rules, either. They peeled every branch off of my baby pear tree, chewed a blueberry bush down to a nub and have gotten to work on my grapevine too. But, like you, we water what is still growing and plant again in the empty spots. Thank you for sharing pictures of the mess. Makes me feel at home.
My husband and I both go into tornado mode when we’re working on creative projects. He finished writing another book a few weeks ago and we have yet to find the floor of his office beneath all the papers and socks and other objects that scattered in the middle of artistic flight. 
Ah, Darcy! It’s so good to know we aren’t alone! Here’s to finding the floor once the winds die down.