Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Gardening 101


The Story of the Seeds
Jesus told this story: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. Some of it fell on the road; it was tramped down and the birds ate it. Other seed fell in the gravel; it sprouted, but withered because it didn't have good roots. Other seed fell in the weeds; the weeds grew with it and strangled it. Other seed fell in rich earth and produced a bumper crop.
"Are you listening to this? Really listening?"

This monday the kids and I planted our garden. Yes, it's the first week of June but we finally got around to it. We planted pea and bean seeds, squash, carrot and beet seeds, and then we went to bed. Jonah looked for the plants the next morning. No new plants. There were a few beans that had washed to the surface with our watering, but no sprouts. Then on Tuesday we bought some tomato plants. They are already 6 inches high. We planted these in the garden as well and it makes it look like something is growing.

For seven years I have been in ministry (officially). In those years I have been planting seeds. It would be nice to be able to go back the next day and see the fruits of God's story in the people I have cared for, but sometimes the sprouts are late. Sometimes the fields move away, or I move on and don't see the blooms.

Sometimes I get to see God's growth in the world. Sometimes there is a spurt of growth that fails after the sun goes down. Sometimes it takes hold in good soil and bears fruit a hundred fold.

Plant your seeds anyway! We might get beans and peas this fall, who knows??

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