Spring has sprung. Well, it will. Soon. I hope.

While I enjoy most seasons in varying degrees (hehe…pun not intended), spring just makes my heart smile. I bask in the feeling of the warm spring sun juxtaposed with the still-chilly spring air. I excitedly anticipate the first plucky crocuses bursting forth with vibrant colour from the drab, cold earth–sometimes even through the snow! What joy to behold the greening of the grass and the first shoots of perennials, brimming with the assurance of a spectacular display.

As you’ve probably guessed, I am a gardener–a wannabe to be sure–but a gardener nonetheless. At the first hints of sunshine and rising temperatures (albeit still relatively cold here for most) I get dreaming. I watch a plethora of inspiring gardening videos from seed starting to garden design to harvesting and everything in between.

It’s been quite a long time since I’ve started seeds indoors, but I was just an-itchin’ to see something grow. I gathered my supplies and some leftover seeds long before I should have begun the process, took inventory, did a little planning, did a little shopping and got my hands into the dirt. I also had some ‘help’ from some sweet littles.

In my enthusiasm, I probably (read: absolutely) made a few mistakes along the way. From the get-go, I started my seeds far too early. Even ones that need eight to ten weeks would be ready long before they can go out. There were lots of other miscalculations and short-cuts that would negatively affect the final outcome. I comforted myself with the fact that gardening is a process, can be filled with uncertainty, but it is always worth the effort and there is always something to learn. As well, I contemplated some spiritual applications discovered along the way. This, of course, is not a new concept. God often uses plants and farming as metaphors to teach us truths from His Word.

What did I observe? Caveats and confidence. Expectation, exhortation and encouragement. All this gleaned from a tiny seed?

Yes, there is promise hidden there. Right there in that tiny seed.

Our pretty little seed packets and seed catalogues contain a veritable wealth of information. We learn what we can expect from our seeds, having confidence that when we plant our seed, that is indeed the plant that will grow. The packets direct us how to handle our seeds for the best outcomes and how to nurture our tiny plants as they grow.

One would think that seed starting would be a fairly simple endeavour. Plants reproduce without any help at all, don’t they? As it happens seeds in the wild do have help: the wind, animals and birds, the weather, their location, and even forest fires and the sea.

I discovered that it’s not always as effortless as placing a seed into the soil and waiting for it to sprout. Some seeds require preparation prior to sowing for best results. This may come in the form of scarification which basically involves damaging the tough outer shell. Some seeds need stratification which is being exposed to the cold so they can awaken when they feel the warmth. Some seeds need to be thoroughly soaked.

People are like that, too. We’re all different. Some of us have a hard outer shell that can only open up to receive that which is essential to bring new life by first experiencing pain or loss, or by some persistent soul who will seek out the chink in our armour and inject hope. Some of us need to be at our coldest and darkest to realize our need and come alive with the warmth of God’s rescue. Some of us need to be soaked in love and kindness to allow for roots of trust and surrender to emerge. Isn’t it wonderful that God has made us all so very different? Not only in how we receive Him, but in how we share His wonderful good news and how we interact with those around us.

There is a promise of new beginnings, new life in that tiny seed.

Some seeds need light, some darkness. Some seeds are planted deep and some are scattered on the soil’s surface. Some have long germination periods and some seem to miraculously sprout overnight. Sometimes you’re ready to give up on their germination altogether (like with my lavender) when they surprise you with a timid peek from the soil. Some seeds benefit from a head start indoors, while others are stronger if their roots are not disturbed and prefer to be directly sown outdoors.

Some of us are directly ‘sown’ (born) into a family who knows and loves God. This gives us opportunity to hear the good news from an early age, but this does not mean we will not have to weather the process of surrendering our own hearts to God. We can be deep into hard things that will take time to press through to reach the Light, but that persistence will give us a firm foothold. Perhaps, like the surface-scattered seed, we can be open to all we need to grow, though we must be watchful or the wind can blow us in every direction and we can miss the importance of Christ alone as our salvation. Like the slow germinator, sometimes it will feel like someone will never come to a decision for Christ, but we keep praying for them, loving on them and trusting that person to Jesus and even if all seems futile, where there is breath, there is hope!

There is a promise of hope and growth in that tiny seed.

As the seeds spring into life, other precautions must be taken. Seedlings require ample light or they will stretch toward any light source, becoming long and ‘leggy’ which is not desirable for looks or strength. Seedlings need airflow and just the right amount of moisture to keep them growing without fear of rot and mold. Some avid gardeners suggest using a fan to keep the baby plants moving, thus circulating air and strengthening their root system and stems.

When we come to Jesus, we need to nurture this new creation we have become. Sufficient exposure to the Son is imperative. We may continue to slowly grow without reading His Word and spending time in communion with God and His people, but we will be weak and fragile. It is unlikely that the full potential of beauty or fruit will be attained from one who is not nourished versus the one who is lovingly tended to through relationship with Jesus. Neither do we want to stand still and become stagnant. The enemy would like nothing better than to see us apathetic, dejected or discouraged, moldy or rotting on the sidelines instead of flourishing and busy at Kingdom work! As believers, we will face some challenges: the enemy, people, our own choices, our circumstances. Like the wind, these things can threaten us or they can make us stronger as we cling to Him. I know this sounds like an empty platitude, but truly, when we belong to Him, nothing is wasted. Though it may be still be painful, He can use the gales to make us more like Jesus and to root us firmly in our faith as we see Him working on our behalf and changing our perspective and our hearts.

There is a promise of strength, fruitfulness and purpose in that tiny seed.

Yes, there is promise hidden within that tiny seed. Whether it is of a mighty oak or the humblest of buttercups. There is the promise of hope, life and growth and so much more. There is a seed of promise for you, too, friend. If you know Him there is that sweet promise of His presence in the good times and the difficult ones. That you are alive in Him and He wants you to have abundance of life and to flourish here and in eternity. If you’ve yet to meet Him, there is a seed of promise in the good news of Jesus Christ. He offers you the gift of forgiveness and new life that lasts forever!

Has this seed of promise taken hold for you?

May the seed of God’s promises fill your heart today. May you find confidence in Him today. Be encouraged and, yes, even challenged by Him today. And, may you live in expectation and thankfulness for who He is and what He has done and for His hand in your future. Here is my prayer for you as you read this:

“For this reason I kneel before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us—to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21)

Looking for more encouragement? Visit:
http://www.instaencouragements.com/blog
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/
https://www.joanneviola.com/2024/04/faultless-to-stand-lets-have-coffee/