How does your garden grow?
Anyone can count the seeds in an apple,
And so it is with God. He has planted seeds deep within each of us. Seeds for joy, seeds for compassion, seeds for love. Seeds. Just that very small, tiny part that we so often want to just toss away as nothing, as unimportant stuff. But God knows.
God knows what it takes to make that seed sprout. There are seeds that will only open after being exposed to cold, others need an enzyme or heat. Yet others actually need fire to burst open and become what they are supposed to be. Some seeds just need a gentle soaking.
What does it take to open up those seeds planted deep within you? Only the gardener knows but we are reminded that: There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us,and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary--we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit! Romans 5:3-5 The Message
One seed carefully sprouted, lovingly nourished, gently pruned, coaxed to grow will produce and yet that plant, that seed, that apple have no idea what plans the Lord has in store for them. But know this : The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ--eternal and glorious plans they are!-will have you put together and on your feet for good. 1 Peter 5:10 The Message
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