I haven't written in a while; I have just been thinking a little about the subject of growing things . . . partially because Aaron and I have been engaged in the process of replanting our front yard and a good portion of the back yard this fall. We began by having some major tree work done by some professionals to in part protect our house from dead branches during winter storms. One of the professionals said that often people say, "My trees look butched!" but in our case we felt like the yard as a whole had a more open clean feel. We knew that the additional sunlight filtering through the high canopy would help our future efforts at growing new grass. After that we hired a small team of folks to come and remove some major areas of ivy in both front and back yard. Part of it was dying out anyway (or at least looked that way), and we wanted to open up more space in both yards. After that we rented a tractor and "pulverized" (the technical term) the lawn. At that point it was a muddy mess!! A sprinkler pro came in and updated our system so that a new lawn would not have to be dug up later and so that sufficient water could get to the new grass. Then A and I spent a 14 hour Saturday essentially weeding the yard! We pulled root after root after root of ivy out a haled it off in our little truck. We also shoveled big piles of dirt into the appropriate spots, raked and graded soil, and shoveled away piles of acorns and yard waste. It was amazing how one root simply lead to more and bigger piles of roots . . . I'm SURE we did not get them all, but we did have aching backs and matching blisters!
Well, after all that we joyful spread lime and fertilizer and then the long awaited seed! We set the sprinkler system to water frequently and have enjoyed watching our new lawn take root. There are still a number of bare spots; we plan to overseed again in the spring. The over all result however, has been rewarding . . . but it has gotten me to thinking about growing things.
First there are the basic lessons from working the ground . . . remembering that because of Adam's sin the whole earth is cursed . . . even our humble efforts to grow a yard require more work and pain "toil, thorns, and thistles" are part of all our days until we "return to dust." Even the earth "groans" in longing for redemption.
Then however, we heard a presentation at our annual business meeting at church about how we as a body need to consider how we might act more like a church plant and seek to plant the next generation church of Grace Baptist in Greenville. The thoughts were stirring and well presented. Both Aaron and I recalled some of the planting, watering , and growing we had seen and been involved in in churches in the past . . . and I couldn't help but think about our most recent lawn exercise. . .
When we decided to lay a little more seed a few weeks back Aaron was opening the bag of seed to put into the spreader. Phoebe, being Daddy's little helped and the lover of all things outside that she is, was right at his knee. When the seed bag suddenly split open and the seed scattered all over her and the drive way I grabbed my camera! This was the result! (As well as a thorough bath later!
This got me to thinking again about "planting the next generation," it was as if the Lord used this silly and obvious moment to help me remember my most important field to cultivate: that of my own children's hearts!
Several passages of scripture have come to my mind lately in light of these things:
Psalm 78 O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying,2 for I will speak to you in a parable.I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—3 stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us.4 We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generationabout the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders.5 For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel.He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children,6 so the next generation might know them— even the children not yet born— and they in turn will teach their own children.7 So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.(Telling of the deeds of the Lord, speaking the truth, to each generation, and in such a way that they themselves will own it and love it at pass it to "the children not yet born" is deep planting!)
The Lord Jesus, speaking to a primarily agrarian culture used lots of illustrations and parables that have to do with growing things . . . Consider the parables in Matthew 13 of the Sower, the Wheat and the Tares, and of the Mustard Seed. Then in John 4 The Harvest, 12 The Grain of Wheat, and 15 The True Vine . . . After considering those thing I have been asking some questions:
Where am I planting? Is it only my own back yard?What roots need removing? To what are they connected?How can I prepare the soil? What do I need to do before scattering seed?Where am I watering? Is it enough?Do I believe in the process of growth even when it is hidden from me?What setting is my spreader on? Are the words that I use to scatter seed broad or narrow? Do I believe that a real enemy has planted the field as well? Am I willing to be confused but patient?Am I prepared to rejoice if I am only sowing and not reaping?Do I believe the words of the Lord of the Harvest when HE tells me what is true of the field, the process, and the reward?I think it is good for me to get my hands in a little earth for the sake of heaven, literally and figuratively . . .
"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It
is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden
plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its
branches."
Post a Comment