Sara’s Ponderings: Number Six “Growth”
“Mom, I put the soil into the pot. Now what?”
“Grab the potato and place it eye side down. Then you can pour more soil on top.”
“All finished,” Emily exclaimed.
“Now Emily, this will be your responsibility each day. You must water it early when needed, before it gets too hot during the day. You don’t want the vegetation scorched or lacking essential nutrients.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
One week passed by.
“Mommy, I don’t understand. There doesn’t seem to be any growth yet. The potato just tossed outside by the back porch is flourishing, and it has not been watered like mine.”
“Sweetie, that plant back there, has been growing before we planted this one. Give it time.”
More days passed, “Mommy, I see green peaking through the soil.”
“See, I told you.”
Emily ran to the back porch, to check on the other potato. “This one is still growing too,” she called out.
“That’s great.”
A few minutes later, “Mommy come see this.”
Sara walked to the back porch and spotted Emily on the ground, with potato roots in hand.
“Emily , what are you doing?”
“I just wanted to see what this one looked like underneath. “
“Oh, it may not grow well now.”
“I’ll replant it.” Emily dug a shallow spot and placed it there. She covered the roots and fetched the watering can. “Here, maybe a little water will help.”
Emily over the next few days , forgot about the plant she so carefully watered by the back porch. It became dependent upon the sparse rains, while Emily’s own potato plant was cared for daily.
Sara walked out one evening, to see the once thriving vegetation shriveled. “Emily, come here.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Look! Now which plant is thriving?”
“Mine. I bet this one died because I pulled it out and forgot to water it.”
“Maybe so.”
“I am glad the potato plant is growing on the front porch. I was beginning to worry,” Emily stated.
“It was growing, we just couldn’t see the progress taking place, until it sprouted upwards,” Sara responded with a smile.
Emily went back to playing with her toys, while Sara pondered the conversation. This thought hit unexpectedly, “Just because a plant quickly shoots up, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s thriving. Likewise if a plant is slow to grow, doesn’t mean it won’t flourish. It’s the end result that matters.”
The Lord spoke this to Sara’s heart, “Don’t give up on people so easily. If they allow Me into their lives, they will bear much fruit. You will see the change. Do not be envious of those who prosper, but do not have Me in their lives. That person seems to flourish in this life, but their fate is eternal death and Hell , not eternal life. For that one, this life is as good as it gets for them.”
•All Scripture is from the World English Bible
Psalm 37:1-12
Don’t fret because of evildoers,
neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
and wither like the green herb.
3 Trust in Yahweh, and do good.
Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Also delight yourself in Yahweh,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to Yahweh.
Trust also in him, and he will do this:
6 he will make your righteousness shine out like light,
and your justice as the noon day sun.
7 Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him.
Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way,
because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath.
Don’t fret; it leads only to evildoing.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for Yahweh shall inherit the land.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more.
Yes, though you look for his place, he isn’t there.
11 But the humble shall inherit the land,
and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Matthew 7:16-23
16 By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree produces good fruit, but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ 23 Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’