What Seeds Are You Planting in Your Garden?

“New plants arriving daily. Come in and see the fabulous varieties.” Signs placed above the shelves and racks of petunias, marigolds, pansies, and sunflowers alerted customers to the prices. One sign read, “What seeds are you planting in your garden?”

I walked the aisles and marveled at the choices. Noting the cost of each item, I calculated how many items I could purchase for the day. If I didn’t control my love for flowers, the store might be empty soon.

After choosing the flowers to plant in my yard and walking to the checkout counter, I greeted the salesperson with a smile. She grinned and said, “Looks like you’ll be working in the yard today. What beautiful colors you chose. I see you’ll be planting seeds, too.”

Along with the trays of bright pink and white petunias, red impatiens plants, and purple pansies, I picked out a few packets of seeds. Although our yard is small, I decided to plant some seeds in pots and watch them grow. Five-year-old grandson Rowan enjoys planting seeds in the soil. Two-year-old granddaughter Eden will soon learn our joy of gardening.

Packs filled with seeds of cucumbers, radishes, and pumpkin would help start our container garden. Watching the excitement when Rowan sees sprouts of something he has planted brings me joy. The end product isn’t as much fun as watching the plant grow. Every day, we check to see if the plant needs water or fertilizer.

Sharing the love of gardening with our grandchildren is one way of passing on the legacy from my parents. They taught me to garden and to give thanks for God’s many provisions. The soil under the fingernails means you’ve worked hard in the dirt. When the first seed grows and pops through the dirt, a sense of accomplishment fills my thoughts.

Scripture talks about gardening in various passages. The book of Genesis tells about Adam and Eve walking in the Garden of Eden. Isaiah tells about the sprout coming up from the soil. In Acts, we read about the kindness of God.

“Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” (Acts 14:17 NIV)

When I consider that God put great care into His creations, I am reminded how we are called to give great care to the things He has entrusted to us. The earth with all its land and water. The people and animals. How are we showing His love to others?

What seeds are we planting in the garden of life? Are we placing more importance on “things” instead of planting the seeds of love and compassion?

Gardening is one of the special times of my day. The most important part of my day is sharing time with God. Through reading His Word, I learn how to plant seeds of love in others.

Father, thank You for loving us. Help us to plant seeds of love and glory so others may know You. In Your Name, Amen.

Blessings,
Melissa Henderson