Sowing Seeds for Eternity

As I walked past snow mounds in the parking lot, I was surprised at the bustle I encountered. Supposing an itch created from the isolation of the snowstorm created such a stir, I meandered through the aisles collecting the items I had set out for. Rounding a corner, my heart was stirred as the hope of spring greeted my vision. Multiple racks filled with an assortment of seeds encouraged my imagination. The drought of winter had created a longing for summer and the opportunity to work the ground and watch it bring forth fruit.

Enthusiasm for the coming season caused me to ignore the crowd that began to huddle around these same racks, a scurry of excitement began to manifest as hands flung to and fro snatching colorful packages. I was shocked at the sudden interest in gardening since my family typically found ourselves alone before these racks as we made our selection of seeds for the spring.

Picking up a package that promised me Baby Boo pumpkins I began to decipher the discussions that surrounded me.

“Are you canning this year?” Two women of my equal age continued their conversation.

“Yes. I’ve never done it before but I think my mom has,” uncertainty filled her response.

“Oh, look, there are some jars,” their voices trailed off as they hurried away from my presence.

Talk of growing a garden resumed between those who stood to my right, “I don’t know, I guess we hang a light over them,” the younger of the women said.

“I heard that too. I don’t know, I have never grown a garden,” replied the older in nervous laughter.

I noticed the age of these two women, the younger belonging to the generation of my parents and the elder of my grandparents, I was taken back by their confession that neither had grown a garden. Eager to help my fellow man I offered a highlighted summary of beginning a garden. The women lapped up the information I offered. My family lost in the background, waited as I answered questions. The elder of the two thanked me for the information and saluted us with a wish of luck, adding, “who knows what things will cost in the store or what we will be able to get.”

While my husband guided our van home, my mind remained at the seed rack where strangers formed bonds over fear. Etched into my mind, I could think of nothing other than the scene from the store and the words of the women as their husbands stood by in hopeless silence. I wished for the opportunity to turn the hands of the clock back. To stand with those women once again and share with them the seed that produces eternal life rather than the empty ramblings of grow lights I had offered.

The media I use reports the same as theirs: Russia invades Ukraine. Civilians are targeted. Implications for America. I have found a life lived for the temporary is easily unsettled by such reports while a life lived for eternity remains steadfast. Our hope is not found in tomorrow or in what we eat and drink but in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ and His beautiful gift on a cross from Golgotha.

Our heavenly Father, the One who took delight as He formed us in our mothers’ womb for such a time as this, has given His word of Truth for these times. We find the red letters recorded in The Gospel of Matthew, “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Of, Wherewith shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need for all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:31-33 KJV) The time has come that we must ask ourselves, do I believe these words and if I believe them, do I live it? Does my peace rest in my Heavenly Father?

Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 KJV) We are entering a time when we must remember that salvation is not about comfort and happiness in this world, instead, it is about being made righteous by the blood of Jesus Christ so that we may stand before a Holy God on the day of judgment. There are times like David, we must encourage ourselves in the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6 KJV) and recall the words of Paul, written from a prison cell preparing to face Nero, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13 KJV)

In closing, I whisper a prayer for those of us with fearful hearts. May we be strengthened in the power and the might of the Lord. I ask that the Holy Spirit make us quick to sow seeds of the hope that is in us and that the peace that passes all understanding would wash over us. As a child of God, these promises belong to us, may we experience them in fullness and boldly declare them to those lost in turmoil around us.

Written March 14, 2022