No wonder Jesus often used agriculture to teach life lessons. In my first season of "farming," I'm seeing the power of his teaching through fresh eyes.
The third week of May, just after the threat of frost, I planted. Tiny vegetable seeds--cucumbers, peppers, corn, tomatoes, lettuce, etc.--sprinkled on the ground and covered with a light layer of soil. Within just a short time, shoots began to sprout.... and so did my excitement! How did that happen? How did those tiny seeds become the tall, beautiful rows of vegetables I now see? It's certainly been a lesson to me to see the smallest seed grow large and bear fruit. It's been incredible to behold!
And then last weekend, the garden taught me another amazing life lesson. A summer storm blew in from the west and pounded the property. With little protection, the garden took the full impact of the wind. After it passed, I walked outside to find the cornstalks flat on the ground!! The wind had knocked them down completely. Having never farmed before, I expected the worst... that the corn was ruined. Nine long rows of corn bent over and beaten.
I've found myself in a similar position lately. The struggles and stresses of life have left me feeling like that corn. Beaten down, flattened... to the point that I've felt completely defeated. Emotionally, I'm bowed low like that corn. And yet, to my amazement, after just a few days those cornstalks sprang back to life! Each stalk, leaning toward the sun, found the strength to stand tall again. And there is my life lesson. Spiritually, I find my strength in the storms of life as I lean toward the SON. In him I find strength to stand once more, strength to go on, to grow, to hopefully stand stronger than before.
So, I take my seat in the front row, and watch and listen for all the Lord has to teach me. I take my seat, and watch the garden grow...
The third week of May, just after the threat of frost, I planted. Tiny vegetable seeds--cucumbers, peppers, corn, tomatoes, lettuce, etc.--sprinkled on the ground and covered with a light layer of soil. Within just a short time, shoots began to sprout.... and so did my excitement! How did that happen? How did those tiny seeds become the tall, beautiful rows of vegetables I now see? It's certainly been a lesson to me to see the smallest seed grow large and bear fruit. It's been incredible to behold!
And then last weekend, the garden taught me another amazing life lesson. A summer storm blew in from the west and pounded the property. With little protection, the garden took the full impact of the wind. After it passed, I walked outside to find the cornstalks flat on the ground!! The wind had knocked them down completely. Having never farmed before, I expected the worst... that the corn was ruined. Nine long rows of corn bent over and beaten.
I've found myself in a similar position lately. The struggles and stresses of life have left me feeling like that corn. Beaten down, flattened... to the point that I've felt completely defeated. Emotionally, I'm bowed low like that corn. And yet, to my amazement, after just a few days those cornstalks sprang back to life! Each stalk, leaning toward the sun, found the strength to stand tall again. And there is my life lesson. Spiritually, I find my strength in the storms of life as I lean toward the SON. In him I find strength to stand once more, strength to go on, to grow, to hopefully stand stronger than before.
So, I take my seat in the front row, and watch and listen for all the Lord has to teach me. I take my seat, and watch the garden grow...
This is a wonderful lesson to be learned by all! Please keep blogging! I miss the spiritual strength you always gave me each day.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this, Pam. We could all use this lesson for sure.
ReplyDeleteLove you,
Jen