A MOTHER IS A CONSTANT GARDENER

We've just finished reading Little Men by Louisa May Alcott. Her way with words is so playfully eloquent. I think her descriptive talents are just amazing. For example, Jo comments on an usually quiet lull in the home -

"It is too good to last," said Mrs. Jo; for years of boy-culture had taught her that such lulls were usually followed by outbreaks of some sort, and when less wise women would have thought that the boys had become confirmed saints, she prepared herself for a sudden eruption of the domestic volcano.

Don't you just love that! Throughout the book there is a runnning metaphor of a garden. Her boys and girls plant a literal garden in the spring and everyone enjoys their harvest in the last chapter called Thanksgiving. Jo's small son's enormous pumpkin plays a prominent role in the children's humorous adaptation of Cinderella. In the final pages Jo reflects on her children, both biological and "borrowed", and rejoices over their growth and expresses her hope for their future. Here's a poem from the final page of the book that the children recite around Mrs. Jo and the Professor (her husband) -

"Summer days are over,

Summer work is done;

Harvests have been gathered

Gayly one by one.

Now the feast is eaten,

Finished is the play;

But one rite remains for

Our Thanksgiving-day.

"Best of all the harvest

In the dear God's sight,

Are the happy children

In the home to-night;

And we come to offer

Thanks where thank are due,

With grateful hearts and voices,

Father, mother, unto you."

Eloquent and full of truth and wisdom. How is your garden growing? Sometimes there are weeds to be pulled for sure. But if we are faithful and persevere, we will reap a good harvest in due time. Let us keep our eyes on Him who is our helper.