【双语灵修】你喜欢园艺吗?GARDENING, ANYONE?

耶利米书 29:4-7

信上说：“万军之耶和华以色列的神对一切被掳去的，就是我使他们从耶路撒冷被掳到巴比伦的人，如此说： 你们要盖造房屋住在其中，栽种田园吃其中所产的。 娶妻生儿女，为你们的儿子娶妻，使你们的女儿嫁人，生儿养女，在那里生养众多，不致减少。 我所使你们被掳到的那城，你们要为那城求平安，为那城祷告耶和华，因为那城得平安，你们也随着得平安。

2月15日

你喜欢园艺吗?

“我所使你们被掳到的那城，你们要为那城求平安，为那城祷告耶和华。因为那城得平安，你们也随着得平安。” - 耶利米书 29:7

胡萝卜、土豆和豌豆—噢，天哪！其实这个社区菜园里种着各式各样的蔬菜。

这一切的开始，是两位受邀来我们教会的朋友，在基督里找到信仰后，想通过种菜为大家提供健康食物。教堂后的小型菜园就这样成型了。最初仅有的几个种植箱，随着越来越多人产生兴趣而迅速扩展。后来市政府主动提供土地给教会，开辟更大规模的菜园——只要教会负责召集志愿者，政府就解决水电供应。

如今九年过去了，丽贝卡的女士带领着由教会成员和社区居民组成的园艺团队，负责播种、培育和采收。菜园里关于神的谈话，总是充满启迪又意味深长。收获的蔬菜会分发给需要帮助的人，而教会聚餐用的那些蔬菜，更是美味得令人惊叹。

我说不清谁得到的祝福更多，但每个参与者都能讲述神赐下恩典与平安的故事。而这些故事，又会成为对他人的祝福与激励。

当我们邀请人参与主所预备的事工时，没有人能预知将发生什么。但神知晓一切。

祷告

亲爱的天父，你为每个人都预备了独特的计划。感谢你在我们每次伸出手时，都为我们开辟更广阔的天地。求你帮助我们在你所开启的每个新篇章中与你同工。阿们。

Jeremiah 29:4-7

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15

GARDENING, ANYONE?

“Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you. . . . Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” —Jeremiah 29:7

Carrots and potatoes and peas—oh, my! Actually many kinds of vegetables show up in this community garden.

It began when two people who were invited into our church found faith in Christ and wanted to begin growing vegetables to help provide others with healthful food. A small container garden took shape behind the church building. What started with a few containers soon multiplied as more people became curious. Then the city offered to give property to the church to create a much bigger garden. The city would provide water and electricity if the church would provide volunteers.

Today, nine years later, a talented woman named Rebecca heads a team of gardeners from both the church and the local community to plant, grow, and harvest. The conversations about God that happen in the garden are inspiring and rich. The food is shared with people in need, and the vegetables used in church dinners are incredible.

I am not sure who is more blessed, but everyone involved has a story of God’s blessing and peace to share. And those stories become a blessing and inspiration to others.

None of us knows what will happen when we invite someone to partner with us in a project that the Lord makes available. But God knows.

Dear God, you have a plan for each of us. Thank you that when we reach out, you create space for much more. Help us to work with you in each new story you prepare for us. Amen.