With our move to Southern California, I decided to take my gardening more seriously. It’s pretty easy to do since I can garden year-round. 

This year, I’ve embraced the art of composting, which includes collecting my vegetable and fruit scraps, my neighbors’ treasures, and piles of my sister’s amazing leaves. I arrange all this wonderful material into two compost bins and then wait to see the magic happen.

I’ve done a lot of reading, and I understand the basic principles of composting. You need to ensure the mixture isn’t too wet, or it will rot, but not too dry, or it won’t break down. You also have to mix what they call greens and browns. The greens are fresh plant material, while the browns include dry leaves or shredded paper. You layer these materials and then cross your fingers, hoping for the best.

I’m happy to say I’m getting pretty good at composting. My piles are “Hot,” meaning they decompose quickly, but there’s one little thing the experts don’t always mention: sometimes, you can have an allergic response to your compost.

Recently, I had an exposure that left me sniffling. And you might think that after one allergic reaction, you’d approach your compost pile more cautiously. You might wear a mask, put on gloves, and maybe a long-sleeved shirt—protecting yourself from spores and molds in the pile is key. Yet, sometimes, I just don’t want to put in the effort to find the mask, grab the gloves, or put on the long sleeves; after all, I’m just dumping scraps and closing the cover. But I’m learning the hard way.

So, I’m a little embarrassed to admit this, but after my initial exposure and a week of terrible sniffles, I did it again! This time, the mask was nearby in my garden wagon, the gloves were just inches away—at least I had on long sleeves. After days of sneezing, a course of antibiotics, and the worst congestion I’ve ever experienced, I’m convinced I’ve learned my lesson. No more playing in the compost pile without proper protection.

I don’t like to admit it, but my gardening experiences often mirror my life. No sooner had I recovered from my allergy fiasco than I found myself in another “I’ve done it again!” moment.

I’m one of those women who pushes herself until she can’t push anymore. I wake up before it’s reasonable, and often pass out after dinner. If I don’t keep this in check, my crazy schedule can lead to a cranky attitude and less-than-loving demeanor. Just ask my very patient husband. So, I’ve tried to set some boundaries—eat often to maintain energy, take a break in the afternoon, and whenever possible, avoid scheduling activities late in the day.

To any reasonable person, this plan sounds solid. But here’s where it’s like snorting a decomposing compost pile, hoping for a different outcome—often, I don’t follow the plan! My pride gets in the way, and I keep pushing. By the time I realize I’ve hit my limit, I’m heart-deep in attitude with no escape.

I wonder if you’ve ever known what you should do and then decided to do the opposite. Or maybe, like me, you plan to follow through but end up repeating the same destructive patterns you want to avoid. Plans don’t always lead to success, nor do they guarantee change. A plan is just a focused mental dump unless we take the first step and follow through.

But I am learning.

My gardening heart won’t let me toss my compost pile—have you seen how expensive compost is? Plus, there’s something magical about placing scraps in a pile and watching them turn into dirt! But I do have a choice. 

I can continue to suffer from ignoring my allergy.

Or,

I can change my attitude and approach. I can recognize my limitations, my need for protection, and take steps to block those nasty mold spores.

Similarly, when it comes to my human limitations, I can acknowledge my physical limits, swallow my pride, and follow my defense plan—a strategy that’s proven to eliminate the nasty attitude.

As Proverbs reminds us,

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

—Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)

Ladies, it all comes down to accepting that we all have limits. We are not perfect.  Sometimes we need help—a simple plan, discipline, the willingness to do what we know we should. Trust me, I know how hard this is, but I’m finding it is so much easier than dealing with the outcomes of my hard-headedness.

I want to encourage you to be brave. You don’t have to face life alone. You have a God you can trust with all your mistakes, cycles of harmful thoughts, or poor reactions to life’s irritations. You can choose to listen for His voice, set aside your own will, and follow His plans.

They are the best.

Be Blessed,