Grow

Grow

A tiny seed planted in a peat pot

to grow under a heat lamp, not too hot,

and sprinkled with water wet

will sprout with two green leaflets.

In a few weeks this seedling

will need careful transplanting

then will daily mature under the sun

and from a needed rain that weekly comes.

By inches it will creep

and soon blossoms will greet

in a yellow array

imitating the sun's rays.

Bees will unerringly seek

these pretty blossoms which greet

as this plant now matures

though hardship it endures.

Yes, buffeted about

by wind and/or drought

it grew despite

life's unknown plights.

For its life is filled with hardships whether

from too much sun or from stormy weather.

These hardships will harden the plant to endure

and most likely a sweeter harvest ensure.

On summer afternoons the plant will wilt

as the sun over the horizon tilts

but the plant will survive

for its roots keep it alive.

This plant that started life as a seed

now produces enough to feed

ones family through the months of winter

as it soaks in the goodness of summer.

This seed grew

with life anew

for inside each seed is a miracle

waiting to be let out. Grow little plant, grow.

* * * * *

And so it is with us

as we grow in faith and trust.

We mature through hardships

for hardships equip us.

One day our hardships may another encourage

as others see us prevail and take courage

as our roots have grown deep

in God's Word, which we seek.

God's Word assures us that God is with us,

and in us, and will never forsake us.

We are assured that God loves us

and through His Son has forgiven us.

Hardships are meant to refine us,

as we learn about God's faithfulness,

and in the end, we find, teaches us

to give glory to God who blesses us.

His delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers.

Psalm 1:2-3

Be strong and courageous.

Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged,

for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

I pray that out of his glorious riches

he may strengthen you with power

through his Spirit in your inner being,

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

may have power, together with all the saints,

to grasp how wide and long and high and deep

is the love of Christ,

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -

that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:16-19

God has said, Never will I leave you;

never will I forsake you.

So we say with confidence,

The Lord is my helper;

I will not be afraid.

Hebrews 13:5-6

Though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief

in all kinds of trials,

These have come so that your faith -

of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire -

may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor

when Jesus Christ is revealed.

I Peter 1:6-7

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