Planting Seeds

The green shoots have emerged from the depths and stretch their thin necks towards the sun.  After days of wet cloudy weather they relish the warmth from above.  The grass seed that I threw down over bare patches has sprouted and now cover them with a bright green fringe.

This time of year we watch what has been planted and fertilized start to grow and flourish.  Sometimes it is hard to tell which are weeds and what will grow to bear good fruit.  As we work in our flower and vegetable gardens we sometimes have to look hard to tell the difference.  Some people try to kill off those beautiful but pesky yellow flowers that dot their lawns.

Many of us try to grow our own vegetable gardens on small plots in our yards or in barrels and planters, but true farming takes much skill.  Preparing the ground, choosing the right seed and fertilizers, planting at the right time, cultivating; the list goes on and on.  When we have done all this correctly, we still are at the mercy of God to make things grow.

This is much the same with our spiritual journey and how we go about spreading the Gospel.  I am often frustrated as I try to plant the seeds, but they seem to fall on soil that is not prepared.  Sometimes the thorns take over what I have planted and they are choked out.  I don't know how much to fertilize; to little and things don't grow, too much and they burn out.

As I reflect on these things, I am trying to learn all I can on how to be a better farmer for God.  I know that I cannot reap that which I do not sow.  I also know that the ground is fertile and crying out to be planted.  Do I have the right tools and knowledge to do the farming?

I do know that all I can do is plant the seeds, water and fertilize.  God is the one that makes things grow!