Planting & Growing

See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains? You too, be patient and stand firm. James 5:7-8a NIV

When I married my husband, a long-time farmer, I didn't have much experience with growing plants. 

Killing plants? Yes, I had been known to kill ivy. (It was a point of personal pride, do you know how difficult it is to kill that stuff? I excel at it...)

I digress. 

We purchased a little homestead, and he began to plant things. Fruit trees, ornamental plants, and a huge garden. 

Here's what I've discovered: there's a lot more to growing crops than placing a seed in the ground. Preparing the soil, amending the soil, planting the seeds, weeding, mulching, more weeding, picking, preserving and then replanting for the fall crop.... 

Farming is truly the practice of active patience. You can't make a plant grow faster. But you CAN encourage it, help it along and pay attention to it. 

When the Bible instructs us to 'Be patient and stand firm', the instruction comes with the expectation that we will be active in our waiting.

Not a 'pacing in the hallway' kind of active waiting, but rather, a mindful acceptance that growth takes time yet requires attention on our part. 

Life takes time. While you're waiting for ______ I encourage you to be active in your patience - prayer, reading your bible, researching books and bible studies that can help you grow, reaching out to others, and intentional gratefulness are all ways we can practice active patience. 

What are you waiting for? How are you practicing active patience? 

Blessings,
Rosalyn