This morning as I was reflecting on the names of God, I came across "Gardener", which comes from John 15.1. We are his plants (sometimes you may feel like dirt, but as Sister Booker from Melrose Park used to say, "If someone treats you like dirt, that makes you holy ground!")
The gardening process can be painful as God works in us to conform us into the image of Jesus. I was thinking back to the garden of Eden, and one of the curses given to the man was "Cursed is the ground because of you;.. It will produce thorns and thistles for you...By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food" (Genesis 3.17b-19).
Just like the ground is hard (and for the same reason: sin), it will be painful as God digs up the "fallow ground" of our lives (Hosea 10.12 KJV) and makes us into kingdom people.
Things could be worse. In Hosea, God says he is a "moth" to the people of Ephraim (Israel)! See 5.12.
Please add your comments and questions!