Some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Matthew 13:8
My attempts at gardening have been confined mostly to mowing the lawn and raking the leaves. But almost every summer I put in a few tomato plants. Unlike the sower in this parable, I try to put all my seeds (actually small starter plants) in prepared, “rich” soil. I water and weed and watch them grow in hopeful anticipation. I try to keep the varmints out as best I can. Even so, some plants are like those seeds thrown on rocky ground and simply don’t survive. Yet, amazingly, some do make it and produce juicy, vine-ripened fruit. It’s a miracle to me.
This story speaks to us today. We see the connections. We know we need to keep harmful things at bay. We need to plant and sow in rich soil. We need to tend our gardens. We also need to remember that God is with us from seedling to harvest. Depend on his guidance, grace and mercy, and miracles will happen.
Paul Pennick
July 20, 2011
