The Grass is Not Greener on the Other Side

Today my mind is on seeds.  I have never given much thought to seeds; mostly because I associate them with gardening, which I don't enjoy nor have I ever had a green thumb.  This morning I asked myself why - just what is it about gardening that I don't like.  And the truth is - I don't like the work... getting my hands dirty, pulling weeds, watering the plants, sweating, etc... 

Right after I had this thought the Holy Spirit got a hold of me and said, "What about spiritual seeds - do you not like the work that is involved with that as well?  What seeds in yourself are you watering or letting other people water?  What seeds are you planting or watering in other people?"  WHOA NELLY!  I was not expecting that!  But it really got me thinking! 

You know the saying "The grass is greener on the other side."  That quote has always bothered me, because it is not true.  The grass is greener where you water it.  I thought of that quote and asked myself, what am I watering?

Over my lifetime I know that there have been so many seeds planted in me from myself, or by others.  Seeds of joy, seeds of anger, seeds of loyalty, seeds of gossip, seeds of honesty, seeds of lies, seeds of deceit, seeds of forgiveness, seeds of bitterness, seeds of God's word and seeds from the enemy.  Am I watering a seed of unconditional love for others, or a seed of 'conditional' love?  When I speak to my children, am I planting seeds of loving kindness, or seeds of harshness?  Have I accepted The Word that is planted in me, which can save me - or have I, instead, accepted brutal words or criticism that have been spoken to me and bring death?  Which plants within my soul are larger than the others?  Have I watered the seed of judgment, whose plant may be smothering my plant of grace?  Or am I watering a seed of servanthood versus a seed of entitlement?

All I could think is, this girl needs some gardening!  Lord Jesus, woe is me - I invite your Father to create a new landscape within me to show myself as your disciple.  Apart from you and your words, I can do nothing. You are the vine and I desire to be a fruitful branch.  Search me, God, and know my heart.  Cut off any offensive way in me and prune me in the way everlasting to bring glory to Your Kingdom."   

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." - John 15:1-8

What seeds are you watering within yourself or planting in others?