Growing Seeds

Each year I love to grow plants from seed.  It's cheaper, it's fun for the kids, MeowMix gets his daily fiber from nibbling the cotyledons, and I feel closer to God as I nourish and baby something so tiny and am blessed to watch it flourish and flower.  To me it's a miracle and I love to think of Jesus and his parables and the farmers of the past who lived off the earth and how they could only rely on God to sustain and grow their seeds into viable producing plants.

Here are the plants in our egg crates and peat pots (see Brendan's cute little foot in the picture):

Closer look at some of the cucumbers, sweet peas, zucchini, tomatoes and peppers we are growing and that have sprouted:

After doing this for a few weeks I read this devotional last week that was so special to me because it's about planting seeds.  I want to share it to all of you reading (Mom this is for you) who like me love to grow and garden:

Plant the Seed
March 25th, 2010
by Emmie Stanley

 “The seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:11, NKJV).

God’s Word is seed. Within the seed lies the power of life, everything that is necessary to get the plant and the fruit. Like the natural seed, the Word’s real value comes when it is planted, watered, and set in the light until bears the fruit it was made to produce.

How do we take the seed of God’s Word and bring it to fruition in our lives? It is one thing to have the written promise (the seed), but quite another thing to have the fullness of the manifestation of that promise (the fruit bearing tree).

Like any other seed, if it is simply left on the shelf, it will not produce life. We have to start by taking the seed of the word and planting it in our hearts and minds. As we nurture it there through meditating on it, standing on it in faith, praying into it, and acting on it, it starts to grow in us.

Faith comes by hearing the word, the more we hear it the more our faith and expectation grows. Just as some plants grow and bring fruit within one season, other plants or trees can take years before they bear fruit. A wise gardener remains consistent in the care of the plant, and waits patiently knowing that it will produce.

God’s Word is absolutely reliable. It is impossible for Him to lie. If we will receive the seed of His promise, plant it in our heart, and stand firm on the word, we will reap in due season.

“Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:35-36, NJKV).

Father, Help me to cultivate a beautiful “garden” of your Word in my life. Help me to invest time to nurture your seed in our daily routine. Amen.