This summer, I have two healthy cherry tomato plants growing in my garden, despite the fact that I didn’t plant them and I’ve done nothing to make them grow.
Long after they started to grow, my daughter heard me talking about these plants, and she innocently said, “I planted them.”
What?
With a shrug, she said, “I planted two tomatoes last year.”
Apparently, not knowing if they would grow, she took two tomatoes from last year’s plant and buried them. Not seeds, but whole tomatoes.
I thought the extreme temps and very little rain would be the end of them, but my husband started watering them and they continued to grow.
As I’ve been enjoying the fruit of their labor, I’ve been reminded of another seed that grows—the seed of faith. A seed that, perhaps unknowingly, you may have planted in the hearts of those around you.
God calls us to live our lives in a way that’s pleasing to Him and for others to see. When our lives reflect God, not only is our own faith strengthened, but it is an opportunity for others to learn the Good News of Jesus through us.
We plant the seed of faith, not knowing if we will see it grow in someone’s heart. But God knows. He knows how much watering and care the seed needs, and when it will take root allowing faith to grow.
Paul explained this in his first letter to the Corinthians…
After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. 1 Corinthians 3:5-9a NLT
More than likely, if you have a loved one who is a believer, you are enjoying the labor of someone else—someone who planted or watered the seed of faith that God caused to grow. Now consider this… perhaps someone right now is seeing the fruit of your labor—the seed you’ve planted or watered in someone else, so God could make it grow.
Love, love this friend! Just what my heart needed. Blessings!
Thank you Charina!
what an encouraging reminder of how ultimately God causes growth…thanks, Laura 🙂
Thanks Dolly. It’s amazing what He can do when our hearts are open!
I’ve always loved this Scripture. I want to be faithful to do the part God intends for me.
Laura, that is so cool! This is a great post and so timely. I’ve recently had discussion with someone I think needed the seed planted. It’s my prayer that it was indeed planted and I know I may never know if or how God made it grow. I just know I have to trust Him to know what’s best.
Happy Friday!
~ Rosann
Hi Rosann,
What a great attitude! We can only do what God asks of us and then we have to leave the rest up to Him, and wait on His timing.
Thanks for stopping by!
God bless,
Laura
What a beautiful post, Laura! (love that your daughter thought to do that, too!)
striving with you to plant seeds and trust He can produce fruit from my labor.
what a neat story about the tomato plants! i recently found out that 2 gals i had reached out to in jr high and high school made decisions to follow Jesus after we parted ways and after they graduated from college (each separate stories). i was so excited and a bit surprised that they are believers now because the planting i did then seemed fruitless. never doubt what God can do with your obedience to share His love and the gospel with others… it may be quite a while until there is any fruit, but He is so faithful when we follow His leading.
Thanks Charis. What a blessing that you were able to find out they are both believers now! God truly works miracles!
Blessings,
Laura
Thanks Nikki, God bless!