As the weather warmed up earlier this year, and I began sitting outside to enjoy my quiet time, I started noticing things in my backyard that I never did before.
As I felt like I was much busier since the pandemic, I didn’t want to plant anything. My friend and I had bought seeds from the Dollar Tree when it was still cold out, with high expectation that we would be planting in our respective backyards.
It was a few weeks past when I would normally plant and I started asking God whether this was something I really needed to do. I had no real desire or time. I got the overwhelming sense that I should plant. I decided God must want to teach me a few things, so I decided to clear the areas and put my seeds in. My daughter had had a friend over and they had put a few seeds in the ground and they were starting to show leaves by then. I was late to the planting season.
There are so many lessons I learned, and here are just a few.
I don’t have a sprinkler system, and I didn’t add that part to the hose this year. As I stood there, manually watering my grass each day, it was an opportunity to slow down and be present. Not to try to rush through what I was doing to get to the next thing.
I tried to break off a grape vine and while it severed, it never actually separated. I observed the lesson of how we have to actually remain in the vine. Having the appearance that it was attached was not enough. That branch was the only one that was dead, even though it had not come apart from the vine. Everything else was a beautiful shade of green, filled with life.
A friend came to do some work on my house and asked why I hadn’t planted using the space I had. I shared that I had planted tomatoes weeks before but there was no sign. He said I needed to put sucklings in instead of seeds as it was already too late. As I was less about the results and more about the lessons, I decided to keep watering my patch of dirt and watch what God would do. I eventually got many tomato trees and even shared with my mom. Those plants eventually grew tomatoes. Sometimes well meaning friends and family will tell you that life isn’t happening fast enough and you need to change what you’re doing. Listen, but trust what God is directing you to do more.
I had planted all the seeds together and never marked off which was which. In that section, a few beans came up, but it was the cucumber that grew the most. I didn’t even know what was growing until the cucumbers started showing. Then it was my neighbor who showed me how to raise them off the ground. God will provide the harvest (and resources) if we do not give up. We will also plant many things and not everything will be a success. That’s ok too.
My neighbor who has a green thumb knocked on my door often to share her fresh produce. I gave away what I could as well. When we have more than we need, it’s a blessing to share with others.
I planted in a section where the rabbits decided to constantly eat the leaves. After a while, I got frustrated and stopped weeding. Hardly anything grew because between the rabbits and the overrun of weeds, those plants couldn’t thrive. Who or what are we allowing in our lives to choke out the very life of what we are doing?
My biggest lesson:
I had to physically do the planting and watering, but it was up to God to do all I couldn’t do – to provide everything else.
I truly appreciate the concept of Faith and Works. I have faith that God will provide for all my needs, but there is a part I must play as well. I must do the work He has called me to do.
Dear Heavenly Father, I am so grateful for these lessons that you have provided. Please continue to teach me, and help me to listen and learn as well.