Gentle Care

Today, I looked at my tomato plant and thought,
This is a true miracle,
I remember the day I planted this tiny seed into the dark soil,
It seemed impossible at the time that anything could result from this seemingly worthless action.
But instead I erased that thought and hoped,
Pictured a bountiful crop of tomatoes,
Pictured those canned jars of tomato soup, salsa and remembered the taste of tomato sandwiches.

Yes, my hope was in the life that was within the seed...

So although my natural eye was telling me one thing, I chose to believe in the life within the seed.
And hope blossomed,
And I became a gentle gardener over those tomato seeds.
Carefully, I watered, and exposed those seeds to heat and light,
My hope was rewarded when I saw the green begin to pop through the dark soil,
With faith building...
I gently transplanted each little skinny sprout, watering and exposing it to sunlight.
As the temperature got warmer outside, I began giving them an hour, then 2, then an afternoon
Gradually weathering them for the outside temperatures.
As that plant continued to grow, I transplanted it again, giving it more room to spread its roots...
But then I looked at the calendar...
And began to fear...
Are these plants going to be ready by mid-May when I want to plant??
But I continued to believe in this miracle and gently garden those plants,
And today I am looking at them...amazed and delighted!!!

This little miracle made me think of my Gardner, the Father, my Maker,
He has such faith in me as He plants me here on this earth.
Gently, He tends to my every need, without me even being aware of His touch.
At first, I rest in His care, child-like, carefree,
But then the disappointments of life begin to show up,
And I begin to doubt His gentle care over me as I fear, worry, and complain.
But gently He reminds me that He planted me...
He knows what is in the seed,
He knows what is needed to bring me
To that place of fullness, that place of maturity, that place of fruitfulness.

Yes, so many times these natural eyes and finite mind cause me to reject His care,
To fret, doubt, or fear...
But gently He restores, strengthens my branches again
Allowing me to receive His kind, compassionate care...

Yes, it is all a miracle
The process of a seed growing and maturing into fruit,
And the process of growth in my life...
All resulting from the gentle care and abundant grace of our Father!