Join the Dented Fender on a journey of personal growth these next three weeks called "Prune to Bloom." Explore transformative insights that can nurture your spirit and inspire meaningful change in your life.
"Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." - Matthew 13:8
I bent over to inspect the soil. My roses weren’t flourishing despite my best efforts, and I suspected the issue lay in the ground beneath. Sure enough, as I rubbed a little between my fingers, I could feel the lack of depth and quality in the dirt. Though I had fed my roses, the soil still needed more amending.
I suppose I inherited my love of gardening from my dad, and I’m sure I got my love of roses from both him and my grandmother! Their gardens were always resplendent. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Jesus is referred to in the Bible as a gardener, though I didn’t fully grasp the implications of those scriptures at first.
That perspective has certainly changed over time. I now know that so many practical lessons lie in the simple act of gardening, and these hold numerous applications for my spiritual walk with Jesus. Over the next three weeks, I’m going to share a few of these.
Back to the soil: many people think that getting a plant healthy starts with the visible elements—pruning branches, removing dead leaves, that sort of thing. And while those steps certainly help, real growth always starts from the inside out.
My newly acquired garden beds had been sorely neglected. Poison, weed killer, and even fish netting had been laid to keep anything from growing while the house sat abandoned for over a year. Unsurprisingly, weeds still grew, but nothing else of value did. Everything I planted struggled. It took 3-4 years of working with the soil to make it rich enough for my plants to finally flourish.
My life tells a similar story. When Jesus first met me in a meaningful way, the soil of my heart was a mess! Years of neglect and abuse had taken their toll, leaving deep-rooted issues both above and beneath the surface. The overwhelming love and grace of God, demonstrated through Jesus' sacrifice, began its amazing work in me.
Cleaning up those outward weeds—lies, promiscuity, partying—was only the first step, tackled with grace and truth. But the real work happened in the hidden places of my heart and mind, where triggers and old thought patterns needed tending. As I dug into those roots, God's truth and grace worked deep, transforming my life from brokenness and anxiety to joy and light. There’s literally nothing in my life that hasn’t changed for the better as the Master Gardener continues His work in me.
Tending soil takes digging, effort, and the right tools; and so does tackling personal challenges. Digging in requires work, consistent effort, and the proper spiritual tools—prayer, the Bible, and the support of others. Over time, my heart and mind became saturated with the nutrients of God’s Word and the encouragement of spiritual friendships. Embracing my Creator’s grace allowed me to face the hard truths of my brokenness, leading to a slow, steady transformation. Crippling insecurity, fear, and defiance gave way to a quiet confidence in knowing I’m loved, I belong, and I am always protected.
Gone is the need to perform, to prove, or to control. In its place is a peace that God has me, a peace not dependent on my performance or circumstances but anchored in my Creator’s unwavering love.
The result? I barely recognize that earlier version of me. I’ve achieved more than I could’ve dreamed, experienced more than I dared hope for, and am living a life my young 8-year-old self would’ve been proud of. God has used me to make a difference in the lives of those around me, and I’m humbled and grateful for His expert care.
You know, when I finally got my garden in order, the results were remarkable. My flowers and beds became a beautiful display, and people would often stop to admire them and ask for advice.
God’s heart is to do the same thing within us—in the soil that truly matters. Even as our lives grow stronger, the journey isn’t over. No matter how healthy my soil or my life is, weeds and challenges will always pop up. Consistent effort is required, but it does get easier with time and care. God’s desire is for each of us to live out a winsome faith, one that shines through both struggles and strengths, and one that, with continued tending, grows to flourish in every season.
FOR FURTHER THOUGHT
Filling our hearts and minds with God’s truth is essential to uproot the lies that may have taken hold over time. Scripture is a powerful tool in this process, inviting us to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). As we spend time with God’s Word, it gradually replaces negativity and doubt with hope and assurance, allowing His promises to reshape our thinking and mend our hearts.
Equally important is the role of spiritual community. Surrounding ourselves with people who share our faith offers much-needed encouragement and accountability along the way. James 5:16 reminds us that healing begins when we openly share our struggles. This openness fosters understanding, empathy, and a shared journey of growth that strengthens us all.
Together, God’s truth and the support of community work in harmony to nurture our spiritual growth. By embracing both, we can confront our pasts and move forward with confidence, upheld by God’s love and the encouragement of others. Take a moment today to reflect on where God may be inviting you to grow and flourish.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for being the Master Gardener of my heart and mind. Thank You for loving me exactly as I am yet caring too much to leave me unchanged. You draw out the wild, raw beauty hidden deep within me, bringing it to light. You allow me to step more fully into the person You crafted me to be before time began. Praise You, Papa! Help me keep my eyes on You, the author and perfecter of my faith. Keep stretching and growing me to reflect the beauty You have placed within me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
ABOUT BARB LOWNSBURY
Barb is a speaker, author, and entrepreneur. She holds Bachelor's Degrees in International History and Education, as well as a Master’s Degree in Education. Barb has spoken at conferences and taught classes throughout the U.S. on topics including faith, relationships, leadership, and courage through trials. Her book, Using What’s Broken to Boldly Shine, is a powerful read on transformation through adversity. Her blog focuses on providing people with everyday encouragement and strength. Barb serves as the Executive Director for The Dented Fender Ministry and runs a successful real estate and development company. She and her husband currently reside in Dayton, Ohio.
WANT MORE SPIRITUAL GROWTH BIBLE STUDY? JOIN OUR ONLINE CLASS BOLDLY SHINE or BUY USING WHAT'S BROKEN TO BOLDLY SHINE. GET PRAYER 24/7 BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE AND CLICKING ON PRAYER IN THE MENU BAR.
Explore topics such as #barblownsbury, #faith, #trust, #God, #Jesus, #biblestudy, #devotional, #femalechristianspeakers, #transformation, #fightmybattles, #spiritualwarfare, #overcomer, #inspirationalspeaker, #motivationalspeaker, #thedentedfender, #boldlyshine, #renewed, #truth, #inspiration, #spiritualgrowth, and #brainchange.
Comments