Seeds & Hope

Seeds are known for making their way through layers  of dirt to sprout. Little seed arms begin reaching towards sunshine. Growth can sprout in unexpected places and in unanticipated ways.

A gardener I spoke with several years ago had an appropriate name for random seedlings which he found in patches of ground where he had not planted them- volunteers. He saw them as left over recruits from a prior year of planting.Unfortunately these willing volunteers,  did not have opportunity to live out their season with the same heartiness they offered to my gardener friend as they chose their post in his soil.  He often pulled up, out and discarded them into a compost pile- they appeared to have signed up for an assignment for which they were not wanted! Healthy plants yanked from what seemed to be good soil – reduced to mere garbage. These little volunteer plants had no way of knowing they would be useful to their gardener as fertilizer for a future harvest. 

Growing up on a farm, my family planted a large vegetable garden each year. However when I married, I chose a city boy.. for most of our marriage, my days of planting and harvesting were relegated to an occasional patio tomato plant on our back deck.This year, I decided to plant a small garden for the first time in over 20 years! With anticipation I prepared my new garden bed with compost and fertilizer.When my parents were the tenders of the garden, I had great faith in the seed, planting and harvest cycle, but this year, as I held the packet of lettuce seeds,  I doubted. I sensed an unexpected whisper nagging in my ear and felt a bit of cynicism towards the planting process. My farmer faith was as small as the lettuce seeds I held. They seemed insignificant and dry. Lifeless and without potential. In spite of the doubts,  I went ahead with my planting plan.. Covering the seeds with a fine layer of dirt, I watered… waited and wondered.

Within seven short days, much to the delight of this reticent farmer’s heart, itty bitty lettuce seedlings began  poking bright green leaves heavenward. My spindly lettuce friends were soon joined by a throng of green bean, potato, and tomato pals, reaching, growing and waving in celebration! My farmer skills had been brushed off, shined up and my joy in the miracle of seed had been restored.

• Our faith walk too can be full of questions and doubt.
• It can be messy and small.
• We question the whys of hard places, garbage heaps and aloneness.
• Little seed arms of faith struggle to reach for life.
• Hearts wilt and spirits become dry.

Like a garden “volunteer” there is a sense of deadness. uselessness. and lack of purpose.  What we thought would be our destiny – instead has become an unwanted source of pain.

Life is not fair. It’s hard and I admit, there are days when I am tired of the garbage of life. I am especially tired of being in the messy compost bin, or seeing those I love tossed there by the hard up rooting of life.

So, I am thinking a great deal about doubt and faith these days when I look at my garden- thankful it is growing green and great in spite of my struggle to believe.

Luke 17:6 “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

In a crazy lovely way- my little plot of dirt and seeds has brought a small revival of faith in my own heart.  I needed it- and Heavenly Father knew this.

Grateful what God does is not dependent on me. Be encouraged my friend… it is also not dependent on you.

We are asked only to plant and water… he IS the miracle seed.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit today -my prayer for you sweet blog reader is for you to be touched by the simple joy of seeds planted within and without.

Blessings , Nanc

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