A Time to Plant...

It's the planting season. I'm in the garden again and happy to be there. After a long winter the tug and pull of shovel and spade were joyful. I was muddy, a result of the slow but steady rains from early spring, but happy to be out where I see most clearly God's power at work. 

We see God in creation in vibrant colors and amazing intricacy woven together in each  the seasons. Each new season creates a growing, blooming, dying, and maturing period... each one necessary, but some harder than others. I think that is why the distinctive aromas and contrasting colors of spring are so dramatic. After a season of winter we need the rejoicing of great  assurance, the incredible sweetness of spring blossoms to awaken our spirits, and the ever growing grass to get us moving.

I was reminded yesterday of the power of roots. In this 'planting' season I was attempting a division of some perennials to make space for some of the new annuals for this season. Prying apart the deep roots brought reflections of this past week's Spring Celebrations when we shared together. We heard women share about the power of God's name and the testimony of the truth of His Word. We all pondered the blessing of having been rooted in His Word during this year of Bible study.

And so now it's the dividing season. Dividing of the roots that we've established. We leave not just our small groups and our study guides,  but our regular schedules and routines that we've grown accustomed to. You might be planning travel, a new job, a new child, a graduation, a separation, a realization or a decision to be made... or perhaps you are not really planning anything new.  But each of us is being transplanted in one form or another. We are being transplanted to grow and how we do that depends on where our roots have been.  And as our sweet children sang on Wednesday...

Grow in me, Living Lord, let me be fertile soil for your Word,
Send your Roots, down and deep, grow me God
till your work in me is done. 

Till my ground, sow your seed, deep inside the very heart of me, Send your roots down and deep, rule my heart,
Lord of Life and grow in me.

[author: M.Beazley]

Let's grow and blossom in the season before us.

• Name the ten wealthiest men in the world.
• Name the last ten Heisman trophy winners.
• Name the last ten winners of the Miss America contest.
• Name eight people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
• How about the last ten Academy Award winners for best picture or the last decade's worth of World Series winners?

• Think of three people you enjoy spending time with.
• Name ten people who have taught you something worthwhile.
• Name five friends who have helped you in a difficult time.
• List a few teachers who have aided your journey through school.
• Name a testimony of someone whose story has inspired you.