When our family lived in Michigan we had a large garden.
It was rectangular in shape. And divided into ten different squares with various kinds of produce.
We enjoyed that garden for many years–especially the strawberries.
A few months ago it occurred to me how the different squares of that garden are like the different domains of life…
All needing care… to cultivate, protect and bear fruit.
As this thought stuck with me, it led me to create my own ‘garden tool’ to help me tend my different domains.
It’s simply a grid of ten squares on a document, with the name of the areas of life I’m responsible for.
The areas include: my soul, my body or health, my marriage, my family, my work, my friends and neighbors, my church, etc…
This tool has been a big help.
In using it, I pay better attention to what’s going on in my different domains… guiding me in prayer and action.
I encourage you to think about the various domains of your life you’re called to oversee.
You might even want to create your own garden tool… as you seek to be a fruitful influence in the areas that concern you.
Like the first man, Adam, God calls each of us to cultivate and protect what’s in our care (Gen. 2:15).
And we need to stay constant and thoughtful in doing so.