Free Planted with Hope by Tricia Goyer

few years. Now Hope knew why—Emma’s mother’s illness and death had caused her to grow up quickly. There was also a maturity in Jonas Sutter’s eyes. He’d seen a lot, she knew. But he seemed stronger for it.
    A songbird beckoned her outside. Placing the glass of milk on the counter she opened the kitchen door and strode out the back. Emptiness filled her chest as she stared down at the small plot of land that she’d tried to garden last year. It was one-sixteenth the size of her garden in Ohio, but somehow it intimidated her even more.
    Hope squatted and took a handful of the freshly tilled dirt, sifting it through her fingers. What would be the cost of bringing in good soil? She had money saved up from nannying little Arnie, but his family had moved away, and she no longer had that job. Besides, if she wished to return to Walnut Creek she’d need every penny to get reestablished. She couldn’t waste it on good soil for a small plot she’d be leaving soon.
    â€œSo, do you think we need better dirt?” Her dat’s voice interrupted her thoughts. He’d gone for a short walk and must have just gotten home. Hope rose and turned to him, brushing off her hands.
    â€œI know we need better soil, but I just don’t think it’s worth it. It’s going to cost a lot, and I don’t think we’d get a big enough harvest in this small space. Maybe I should forget the whole idea of gardening here in Pinecraft. We can buy vegetables at Yoder’s for cheaper than we’ll be able to grow them. It just doesn’t make sense.”
    Dat offered her a sad smile, and she quickly looked away. It was almost as if he could look into her heart and read all the emotions hidden there.
    â€œA garden isn’t just about what it produces, Hope. It’s about working in union with God and nurturing His creation. I’m your dat, remember? I know a garden is where you think your clearest thoughts and where you escape from the noise of the house—of the world.”
    Hope cocked her eyebrows and her jaw dropped slightly. “I—I didn’t think that anyone knew that.”
    Her dat moved to the swing, and he held the side rail as he sat. He took a deep breath, and Hope watched as it expanded his lungs. He wasn’t healthy yet, but he was better. And that made their move worth it.
    â€œYou live in a home with four sisters,” he continued, “and they all like to talk. They are so similar to your mother in so many ways. Look at Lovina—she told us the pie shop was for other people to connect with one another, but she’s the one always visiting and chatting with her customers. Seeing Lovina in the pie shop I see her truest self—how God made her to be. And Hope, your truest place is in the garden.”
    Tears pricked Hope’s eyes, and she quickly turned away. “ Ja , well, it seems that God has different plans for me at this time, doesn’t He?” She looked at the sorry little plot of land and tried to hold back the tears. As she took in her own deep breath, the thick, muggy air pressed on her lungs.
    â€œMaybe God does, or maybe He has a surprise for you yet,” Dat said.
    Hope glanced up. “What do you mean?”
    A smile broke through, causing the corners of Dat’s lips to rise. “I won’t say just yet. I’ll just say that I stopped by the pie shop a bit ago to drop off a sack dinner for Grace, and Lovina wants to talk to you. She asked me to bring you to the pie shop tonight.” He turned to the back door. “Get on your flip-flops. There’s a table waiting for us, and Lovina promised me a piece of coconut creme pie. And she asked for you to bring your seed catalog. She has an idea. One I think you’ll want to hear.”
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    Vegetables in a California Garden, 1933
    Someone has said that it takes a robin to make a spring, but to me the arrival of the first seed catalogue is the