The Seeds You Sow
I come from a long line of women with green thumbs. One of my earliest memories is digging up potatoes and picking blackberries in my Mema’s garden. She always let me help in her gardening process. She had the ability to grow such abundance and beauty in such a small space, which is a testimony I’ve tucked in my own heart: What can I do with what I have, where I am, to produce abundance and beauty for the Kingdom? I remember at a young age telling myself that someday I, too, would have my own plot of earth to cultivate.
Fast forward to adulthood, and I have had a variety of gardens throughout the years. Strawberry patches overflowing. Tomatoes picked by the wheelbarrow full. Hydrangeas were growing so much they toppled over. And while this sounds like such success, the green thumb continues for another generation! I’ve also had many, MANY failed attempts at gardening, planting, and growing.
Currently, I have three garden helpers, our sons, ages 15, 13, and 5. Throughout the years, I’ve tried to be intentional with letting them help me in the garden, using it as a tool for practical discipleship. When they were really young, it looked a lot like just trying to keep them from eating dirt. As they got a bit older, it looked like trying to keep them from throwing dirt on each other. Somewhere along the way we’ve landed in the sweet spot of them actually helping and just this past year, they built their mama several raised garden beds. We’ve used gardening as a jumping-off point for some great conversation as we steward our boys and turn their affections toward the Lord.
On comparison – Isn’t it amazing how the Lord made so many different flowers and vegetables in all different shapes and colors for us to enjoy? That’s just like people! Wouldn’t it be silly for me to expect a strawberry plant to grow and be like a sunflower? Well, just like all the different plants, people are all different too! When we fall into the trap of comparison, it will steal our joy. The Bible tells us that the enemy is a thief and a liar and he will use that sneaky comparison trap if we let him. You are uniquely and wonderfully made by the Creator of the universe, and He has promised a hope and future that is uniquely yours!
On requirements – Do you know what a seed requires? Do you know what the Lord requires of you? In Micah 6:8, it says the Lord requires us to “seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God.” What are some ways in which we can do that? Let’s pray and ask God to reveal to us opportunities to show justice, mercy, and humility.
On becoming – Can I tell what this seed will become by just looking at the outside? Isn’t it amazing that whatever this seed is meant to become is already inside of it, much like how the Lord made us? Our Father has a specific purpose and plan for us, just like He does this seed.
On growth – What happens when I plant this seed in the ground? Our hope is that it takes root and grows! We may not be able to see what is happening, but growth often takes place in the small, quiet places that sometimes no one else sees but you and the Father. We are always developing some kind of roots. We need to be careful what we water, for it will surely grow. What are we currently doing to foster and deepen our relationship with Jesus in the spaces that no one sees? How can we continue to be rooted in Christ?
This act of cultivating our children is hard work because it is HEART work. But the beauty is that there is a Master Gardener, in the Father, with all the right tools and plans. His requirement of us is faithfulness, in this mission of parenthood, as we partner with Christ to raise these precious souls we’ve been invited to steward. As a mother, these children I’ve been entrusted with, much like a garden, require much from me. I am (imperfectly, but thankfully by God’s grace), sowing my children into Kingdom soil and believing in the harvest that is to come. I believe one day we will begin to see fruit in the orchard that was planted and tended for many years. My prayer is that we have sown good seeds of abundance and beauty. May we be found to be faithful gardeners.