Time to Plant

...a time to plant and a time to uproot. ~Eccl 3:2

Spring is in the air! Be it ever so slow, here in Minnesota. It is time to sow my seeds indoors and time to start dreaming up my outside garden layout. I gaze out the window at my snow covered garden and imagine the new life to come under all that white.

tomatoes, 🍅kale 🥬 peppers 🌶 carrots 🥕 strawberries 🍓 ....

But first, seeds. Small little specks of earthen material that look like nothing, but yet hold the mystery of life deep inside of them.

As I place each tiny seed into a hole of dark soil I am reminded again, "what you plant, grows." If I want tomatoes, I must plant tomato seeds.

As we stepped into 2023, my heart's cry and prayer for this year was for wisdom and discernment. I wasn't sure why I was so pressed for that, but as the year unfolds, it has become clear. We have needed it at every turn to navigate care giving of Mike's parents.

Anyone who has walked this journey knows the struggle of transitioning from being the child of your parent to become the parent of your childlike parents. It feels so unatural and so forced. Especially to parents that refuse to accept it and fight you for control over things that you would happily grant them, if only you could.

Enduring a 96 year old narcissistic father with dementia that constantly insists that his his car be given back to him, and who explodes in angery accusations that his house was stolen from him, has been a hammering rod into my dear husband's soul.

Seeds of pride, selfishness, and stubbornness planted over 96 years of life don't bloom into beautiful blooming rose bushes. Sure, there are thorn filled plants growing everywhere, but you certainly won't find blooms of vibrant color among them.

Again, so much wisdom and discernment is needed to navigate this road! Let's add strength, endurance, patience and hope to the list.

Father, grant us wisdom to determine where grace haults, and discernment for where more boundaries should be added. Loving someone well doesn't mean that their abuse should be tolerated.

The display of seeds planted over a lifetime has become so obvious...truly, what you plant grows. This lesson is hard and it is painful. But, aren't the most powerful lessons in life learned where pain is involved? These lessons cut deep into the soil of our soul, but here is where new seeds can be planted; seeds of love, grace and humility.

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. ~Colossians 3:12

When you give love to those who deserve it least, your character becomes Christlike. Not of your own doing, but by the mystery of life inside the seed that you have just sown in faith.

I can't take credit for the plants that come from the seeds that I have just sown into the deep brown soil. I can only plant them there, water them and care for them. Their growth depends on the Lord.

Be mindful of the seeds you sow; seeds you sow in your own heart and mind, and the seeds you sow in the lives of others.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ~Galatians 6:7-9

Pray with me...

Heavenly Father,

Life's lessons are hard. They can cut us to the core. But, You are good and Your mercies are new every morning. Help us to sow seeds of righteousness into our lives and into the lives all around us. Help us to build each other up, encourage one another, and to not lose heart. Let all things work together for our good to make the tapestry of our messy lives into something beautiful that brings You glory. In Jesus Name