On one of my dad's recent visits, I shared with him the desire that I wanted to plant a fall garden. I instantly got his full attention, and we planned our trip to Home Depot. While the plan was to keep it small and simple, Dad began to share with me the importance of the soil and how it plays such an essential factor in the plant's growth.
With that thought, I want to share a parable found in Matthew 13 that Jesus taught about Good Soil on this Wisdom Wednesday.
Matthew 13:3-8 NIV
3 Then, he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed.4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where they did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
My family (immediate and extended) has journeyed through many different seasons over my 50 years, and this is not the first time we have experienced despair and devastation. And, I'm confident it won't be the last. Yet, I am convinced that the depth of our soil is the primary factor that has kept us strong and growing.
True Confession:😳 I am also pretty sure it may have something to do with the DuBose gene of strength, Lunsford stubbornness, Speigner Sas, and Coskrey's Can-do attitude)
Our Soil matters... Deeply! But we must be willing to do the WORK it takes to enrich and maintain the fertile soil!
The deeper the soil, the stronger we can grow!
Honestly, never in a million years would I have thought I would find myself in this current season of chaos in my life, but as days have turned into weeks and weeks into months, I have found myself still growing!
Not Dead, Still Growing!
It has taken me a hot minute, but my desire is genuinely for my God to deepen his peace and purpose over my life while keeping my soil rich and deep!
Thanks, Daddy, for your gardening wisdom! Thank you, Jesus, for your powerful parable in the Word, and Thank You, Holy Spirit, for digging in those shallow places - Keep Digging!
I encourage you on this Wisdom Wednesday; join me in allowing the Holy Spirit to stir in you, dig around, add vital nutrients and deepen your roots as you allow the good seed to grow in your soil and deepen in God's purpose for your life.
Read it, Write It, Hide It and GROW,
Pastor Laura
