Seeds of Patience. Thoughts of a Mom

 

My seed box

Seeds of Patience

Dearest Reader,

March is now nearing an end, but it is still a great time for sowing seeds here in the Southern hemisphere. The very hot weather is behind us, and it is time to start on autumn and winter crops.

I was very excited for March to arrive, and had been getting my containers ready through the summer. I love the thought of cooler days, rain showers and lush green growth, though I could do without the snails!

So, with my goal in mind, I soon got busy. I sowed swiss chard, carrot, spring onion, radish, cabbage, pansy, coriander, and sweet pea seed. Then just today, I added some calendula and mixed herbs to the mix. Exciting times.😊

But then, one realises, comes the hard part. Waiting. It generally takes about two weeks to see some action from the seeds you sowed. Also, seeds need to be kept moist, so there's quite a bit of work involved. I try to keep the end goal in sight and not get too hung up on time, but it's hard.

Many times I have just about given up on some seeds I have sown, and I wonder whether the snails gobbled the baby plants up before I could get to them with some protective measures.

Yet, very often, just when I am about to sow a new batch or another variety, the seeds I was waiting for bravely make their appearance, and I am all smiles.

And so it is in life, isn't it? We are praying, and praying, hoping, and hoping. Seeking desperately for a sign of life. We water our hopes with our tears, worries, and prayers. We fuss and get all impatient and anxious. But God for His own sovereign reasons has ordained that we must wait. And as we know, for most of us, waiting is not easy. Perhaps that is why we have to go to the school of patience.

It may not seem fair, but as in our garden, we cannot see the full picture. My little seeds are beneath the soil, doing their thing. Perhaps they are waiting too, for just the right moment.

I cannot see God's plan as I pray and wait for my loved one or for a situation to change, so I must trust Him. And wait. But while I wait, like the gardener I must go about my duties. Keep praying, keep praising, keep working. It will all be worth it at last.

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Galatians 6:22-23

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (NIV)

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Afrikaans:

"Maar die vrug wat die Gees voortbring is: liefde, vreugde, vrede, geduld, vriendelikheid, goedheid, getrouheid, sagmoedigheid, en selfbeheersing. Teen sulke dinge is daar nie 'n wet nie." (NLV)

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With love and hugs, and prayers,

Alison/Mom