One Hungry Soul

There is serene beauty in a neatly trimmed hedge boasting uniform plants. The upkeep is minimal, the conditions required for the plants to thrive are universally appreciated. Simply offer a seasonal trim and enjoy the rewards of visual symmetry with minimal effort. 

However I’ve come to appreciate the possible pitfall of this system. If the soil is depleted of essential nutrients, if a genus specific disease attacks, or even if the species is deciduous – the once lush beauty can suffer, and the entire hedge become a burdensome eyesore for a season and perhaps longer.

The hedge in mind is an expansive uniform shrubbery that covers a large corner section in our neighbourhood.  As winter comes the leaves turn into dry dirty grey brown smudges, the branches spindle and an awful stench permeates the corner. 

This hedge makes me wonder if it is for this reason God created us to all be so different.

Imagine rather if this problematic, smelly hedge was interspersed with varieties that held their colour in winter, and perhaps even flowered omitting a sweet perfume, the overall effect of the winter season of this plant would not be so overwhelmingly putrid. 

Similarly as pilgrims on this journey, if we surround ourselves exclusively with those who think, act and live like us, we run the risk of all experiencing a stinky season together if the conditions become unfavorable. 

Rather if we commit to live in community surrounded by bountiful varieties we are more likely to draw life from the plant next to us who thrives in the very condition we find ourselves languishing in. Equally when it is our season to bloom our sweet aroma may carry our neighbour with hope as they wait to flourish again.

A variety garden is much harder work.

There are unending conflicts of space and needs. Effort required to be mindful of different temperaments, varying nutritional and conditional needs. A garden of many plants requires more consideration, sacrifice, and attention than a uniform hedge. 

But let us not shy away from surrounding ourselves with plants that do not think, act and sound the same as us. True growth is only possible in a wild garden. A messy, resilient, unified space that delights in growing together under the warmth of the glorious Son.