Notes from Perry Street Digging In The Dirt Is Good For The Soul

from The Weekly April 12, 2023

Getting older has many little daily surprises

Spring is here and Easter has come and gone. The beauty of nature is bursting forth all around us, which for most of us brings joy and hope. It can on the downside too - bringing lots of allergies. For me, I love digging in the dirt. It is one of the best things I can do for myself. There are times I just have to let the laundry, mopping and the stuff of life go and put on a good old pair of garden gloves and start digging.

We need to dig, dig, and dig in the dirt to our heart’s content. It feels good, really good. I do it when I need to think. I need to pray. I need to be alone. When I need to work something out in my heart and soul, I often dig in the dirt and it allows me to dig into my soul. The truth is that sometimes stepping into purpose and following our dreams requires us to dig deep in our soul.

There were two women in my life that pretty much taught me everything I know about gardening. My mom and Winters’ mom. And since then I have been determined to have a beautiful garden. Talent can only take you so far and then dedication, persistence and determination must make up the rest. The same can be said for gardening, our occupation and almost anything in life.

You can learn a lot in your garden while digging in the dirt.

One thing I have found very important is you must have the right tools. It will make gardening easier and the same goes for life. The right tools make life much easier. The wrong tools make your life much more difficult. You could probably cut a branch down with a pocket knife, but it will take a long, long time and lots of frustration. Or, you could use a chainsaw and knock it out in seconds. You also have to know the do’s and don’ts in a garden if you wish for the plants to last and to flourish and thrive. A great gardening book is also invaluable and full of tips you will need.

The same goes with life. You can get by using the wrong tools, but the right tools make everyday life so much easier. A must have is a great bible that you actually open and read like a Life Application Bible. And if you can’t apply it, you can’t live it. You also need to fill your life with prayer warriors and women that you can count on to pray with you when you need it and even when you don’t. Learn to forgive and forgive often. Watch out for weeds, the things that can choke the joy out of your life. Trust that the Lord will order your steps. And seek peace and pursue it.

Surround yourself with the right women, the ones I call the “Sacred Few,” the circle of friends that are there for you anytime, anywhere, anyplace. Ask God to help you find them and be one yourself.

Make sure you have plenty of fruit in your life. In fact, ask yourself, “am I fruity.” Plant the right fruit in your life and make sure it stays strong and is not choked out by weeds. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, steadfastness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23.

And best of all, at the end of the day I pray you can say, “I was able to say, I got my hands dirty and that I allowed my life to be transformed by the hands of the master gardener and used by HIM to help the world be a better place for others.”

Happy Spring!

John A. Winters, Publisher, Editor john@wintersmedia.net

Corby Carlin Winters, Ambassador at Large corby@wintersmedia.net

Levi Winters, Social & Visual Media levi@wintersmedia.net

Joey Howard, Digital Editor/Business Development 404.698.0734 • joey@wintersmedia.net

Ruth Harris Doyal, Pagination 770.254.1421 • info@wintersmedia.net

The Weekly is published by Winters Media & Publishing, Inc., P. O. Box 757, Newnan, GA 30264

John A. Winters, President Corby Carlin Winters, Vice President

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