It’s the 1st day of Spring and that time of the year when we start planting new seeds and new plants in both our vegetable garden and flower beds.  This is one of my favorite seasons of the year.  It’s a season for fresh new things…a season for growth.  Our azaleas and lavender are in full bloom.  Our plants are now a vibrant green and the flowers that survived winter are blossoming all around our yard.  I look forward to our trips to the Garden Center where we pick up most of our plants and herbs.  It’s so exciting to see something we planted from a tiny seed or baby plant grow yielding something beautiful and amazing.  Last year, we had heirloom tomatoes, green beans and cucumbers growing along with a variety of herbs.  It was so refreshing stepping out into our own back yard to pick what we needed for that day’s meals.  In the beginning I would get so impatient.  As soon as our garden was ready for planting I made it a point to spend an hour outside watering my plants, feeding them and nurturing them.  Everyday I would  check to see if a tomato had sprouted or a green bean.  I would pick whatever grew instantly.  Then after a couple months I slowly stopped going outside as much and I would forget to water the plants.  I wouldn’t make time to spend caring for my garden.  Sometimes we get this way with our growth in Christ.  In the beginning we are so fired up for God, excited to be in church each week.  But then we slowly stop making time for God.  We start forgetting to water that seed God planted in us and to nurture it.  We go days, weeks, even months without taking the time to feed that seed within us.  Then we get frustrated and impatient when things don’t go our way.  We pray to God but don’t do our part.  We are expectant of an instant result but don’t put the time to feed our seed with God’s word.  The seed planted within us won’t grow if we do not care for it and nurture it along the way.   We should stay excited like if it was our first week with newly planted seeds.  Take time out of your day to spend with God whether in prayer, worship or meditation on his word.  Water and nurture the seed God planted in you and watch as you begin to grow in Christ.  Don’t get discouraged on days that it just seems like nothing is going your way.  Let your roots grow strong so when those days come along, you have the strength to stand strong even through the toughest storms.

XOXO…Ileen

Psst…God Loves You

“But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”  Luke 8:15