Hank Buckley D10 {done}

Hank Buckley

Pa used to tell him stories of his uncle Jedidiah and how he became ill, and nothing could save him. "He was unfaithful, son, don't you see? That's why the healers couldn't save him." These words etched into the back of his mind, especially when he became of age and figured out his calling. "Being unfaithful means you can't be saved? But what about the flowers and trees? Are they unfaithful too?" Pa just looked at him, and Hank knew in that moment, the question wasn't one he should've asked, but it was too late. "No, son, it means you are unfaithful. Just have a little faith, and watch what your plants will do."

All it took was one harsh rain to flood his garden and ruin everything he created. All the prayers in the world didn't save the soil from eroding away, and the flowers from flowing away with the heavy current. Even falling to his knees and praying for a miracle didn't return things to the way they were.

"Forgive me, Lord, for I have been unfaithful."

I will never let this to happen again.

Calloused hands wrap around the stem of a limp rose on the verge of becoming deceased. Tears stream down his face as Hank falls to his knees bowing his head and closing his eyes in prayer. Ma always said that even a little bit of faith would work miracles, and now he prays for one to happen. Every flower springs to life when winter comes to an end, and sometimes, just like the other creatures of the world, they fail to thrive. While being in a controlled environment makes it easier to survive, Hank understands that sometimes it isn't enough for the Lord always has a plan. This rose is special, Pa gave it to him at the start of the year, and now it's wilting away, it's crumbling into a pile of dust waiting for the wind to carry it away, and it only makes him pray harder.

"I believe in You, and with You all things are possible, and today, right now, Lord, I call upon You to heal this flower, and I know it will be done in Your name. For all things are possible with You. I surrender to Your will, for I am a faithful servant. I ask You, Lord, to save this rose so that it may bloom and live a fruitful life. I give You everything, all the honor and glory. Amen."

Rising from his knees, Hank lifts the tiny rose from the ground and carries it over to another hanging pot. The soil is already perfect, and maybe it needs a chance to grow away from every other flower. The roots are weak, vulnerable, and making sure the needs are met is far more important than trimming the slightly overgrown trees. Every four hours, he ventures into the garden making sure it has water. It becomes routine, and sometimes it almost feels boring, but this is his life, and being chosen to give the Church a beautiful flower garden with trimmed hedges and trees makes it all worth it.

Gardening is an art, yet many will never understand. Knowing where to plant each flower, and what they're compatible with becomes second nature. It wasn't always like this at the beginning. Stepping into the greenhouse Pa created was something he feared. What if it isn't good enough? What if the flowers die? And at first, he expressed the fear to his Ma one day after arriving home from school and being taught by her. It would've been so much easier to follow in his father's footsteps and become a construction worker, or even his mother's footsteps and become a teacher, but none of those were his calling. It took a bit to fully grasp the reasoning behind it all, and it was in that moment Hank realized there's more to life when he doesn't live in fear.

His garden started small, just a few rows near the church, but soon it grew larger when Pa built a greenhouse just for him. Every moment spent in the greenhouse brought him closer to the Lord and to Todd, and Hank began to understand his purpose in life. Gardening isn't just growing about growing beautiful flowers. No, there's so much more to it. Gardening is an art, and it has to be pleasing to the Lord's eye, and Hank will spend as much time as possible cleaning up any soil and leaves that have crumbled to the ground. Being in the greenhouse gives him peace and comfort, and it's where he enjoys daily prayers. It isn't easy work, though, every little detail has to be perfect to make sure the plants are given the love needed to grow just as the Lord and Todd has given love to Hank and his family, so they have the chance to thrive. All it takes is a simple mistake to throw it all out of line.

Like the tiny little rose from before.

All the work didn't pay off, and the rose died in the palm of his hands. All the prayers in the world weren't enough, and when Hank rank to tell Ma what had happened, she told him his faith was weak. Just having faith the size of a mustard seed can make the impossible possible. It's something he's learned from a very young age, and yet it sometimes feels so hard to grab. Instantly bowing his head for prayer, Hank knows the words that need to be said.

"Forgive me, Lord, for I am unfaithful. I am a sinner. I have failed to have the littlest of faith to save this flower's life. I know I can do better. I am unworthy of Your love, of Your kindness and compassion, and yet You pour it down upon me every single day, and for that, I am grateful. Forgive me for my sins. I fall short all the time, but it serves as a reminder that I'm not perfect. I give you everything, and I promise, I will do better, and I will do my best to never waiver. For You are almighty, You are strong, and You are love. Forgive me and guide me everyday. Amen."

I am a faithful servant, a gardener, and without my faith, I am nothing. Without guidance, I am weak, but since I walk with the Lord and Todd, I am strong, and no matter what, my faith will never be shaken.