One of the many good things that came out of this pandemic crisis is that more people are becoming self-reliant.
I visited a Garden Store yesterday and it was filled with people who were purchasing soil, vegetable seeds, flower pots, manure, and anything that deals with gardening.
I went to the store to purchase potting mix because I too am thinking of growing some vegetables and herbs in pots.
The store was out of the potting mix but the sales attendant encouraged me to purchase a twenty-pound bag of topsoil because she claimed that they will be gone by the weekend.
Seeing so many people interested in growing their own food brought joy to my heart. We are returning to our roots!
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you, it shall be for meat. (Genesis 1:29)
And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:16-17)
Indeed, God created man to eat only two types of food – the plants (Herbs and fruits) and the tree of life.
The plants grew spontaneously and abundantly for man to enjoy forever.
However, the contamination of sin upon the earth eroded all its bountiful supplies of fruits and vegetables, and thistles, thorns, and weed erupted from the ground.
And unto Adam, He said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and has eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life. Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee, and thou shalt eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. (Genesis 3:17-19).
Although the man was destined to plow a tough ground to plant his food, the Lord still instructed him to eat only the herb of the field.
These verses reinforce the fact that we were originally created to eat only plant-based food and so it is beneficial to us if we grow our food.
Benefits of growing your own food
- You will eat more nutritious and fresh food that is free of pesticides and fertilizers.
- You will save money by growing your fruits and vegetables.
- Studies have shown that gardening helps to improve your cardiac health and boost your immune system. Gardening also helps to relieve stress and keeps you looking young and fresh.
- You exemplify the characteristics of a virtuous woman and a diligent man when you plant your own food.
- Getting your children to involve in home gardening will encourage them to eat healthy fruits and vegetables.
- You will feel a great sense of satisfaction when you watch your food grow from germination to harvesting.
- You can share your excess crops with friends and neighbors. It is always a blessing to give.
- Your yard will look beautiful and smell fresh.
I hope that these great benefits of growing your own food will encourage you to visit the home and garden store and get started.
The Lord promised that you will eat whatever you plant and you will enjoy the labor of your hands.
And they shall build houses, and inhabit them, and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. (Isaiah 65:21-22)
References
Proverbs 31:16
Proverbs 12:24
Becoming the Oil and the Wine 
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