Season 2-Learning Restoration from What was Discarded
Season 2 of 9
"He makes all things new." — Revelation 21:5
People are often surprised when they learn that, before becoming a gardener and a student of herbal medicine, I also learned creativity — the technology of making recycled automotive batteries and beading.
At first glance, accounting, battery restoration and beading seem to have nothing in common. Looking back, however, I believe God was already preparing me for lessons I would need much later in life.
From Scrap to Service
During my years as a Certified Public Accountant, I had the opportunity to learn recycled battery technology from a close friend of my late father. I accepted the opportunity simply because I wanted to learn something new. I also learned beading from watching a Muslim friend, who sells human functional and fashionable accessories. I thought I was learning a business. Instead, I was learning about restoration.
The work began with old batteries that most people considered worn out and useless. Others saw scrap. We saw possibility.
With knowledge, patience, and careful workmanship, those discarded batteries could be restored and returned to service. That simple process left a lasting impression on me. It taught me that many new beginnings start with what others are ready to throw away.
The Same Lesson in Nature
Years later, I began noticing that the same lesson exists throughout God's creation. Fallen leaves become fertile soil. Old trees provide shelter for new life. Seeds disappear beneath the ground before they begin to grow.
Nothing in nature is wasted. God has designed creation with renewal in mind.
Restoration in People Too
As the years passed, I began to see that this lesson applied not only to forests and gardens, but also to people. There are seasons in life when we feel worn down by disappointment, loss, or unexpected change. Yet those seasons do not have to be the end of the story. Sometimes they become the beginning of something new.
Looking back over my own journey, I now understand that God was teaching me this lesson long before I realized I would need it myself. He was quietly preparing my heart.
That lesson would later help me understand forests differently. It would deepen my appreciation for gardening. It would shape the way I study medicinal plants. And it would remind me that hope often begins where others see only endings.
What Batteries Taught Me About Gardening
Today, whenever I plant a seed or watch a young tree grow, I remember those old batteries. Both tell the same story. With patience, care, and God's grace, life can be renewed.
Perhaps that is one reason I find such joy in gardening and herbalism. Both remind me that restoration is one of God's greatest gifts.
The Creator wastes nothing. Not a seed. Not a season. Not even the difficult chapters of our lives. Every experience has something to teach us if we are willing to learn.
That is the lesson recycled batteries taught me. It is a lesson I continue to carry with me as I walk through God's garden, one plant at a time.
Author's Notes
I am a retired Certified Public Accountant from the Philippines and a lifelong student of herbal medicine. I am not a licensed physician, pharmacist, or herbal medicine practitioner.
The information shared on this website is based on my personal experiences, continuous learning, and research, and is intended for educational purposes only. It should not be considered medical advice or a substitute for professional healthcare. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using medicinal herbs, especially if you have an existing medical condition, are pregnant, or are taking prescription medications.
I also encourage readers to respect Philippine environmental laws, including regulations of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), when foraging or cultivating plants.