Memories
Growing up, I remember planting kidney beans in class. I was so excited to take it out of the bag and plant it in some dirt. Well, I tried to plant it with my dad’s help, and it did not work. I don’t know if we planted it too deep. Maybe I watered it too much. My poor little plant never sprouted. Maybe I was just impatient and didn’t want to wait like my brother had done for his. (Probable) Whatever the case that was not the first time I tried and failed to grow something. I could not understand how my dad would make all his plants grow big and tall, but I could not. After so many failed attempts, I concluded that I didn’t have a “green thumb” like his. But that didn’t stop my admiration of anyone who can plant something, anything and make it grow.
Fast-forward to this year, for the first time I was capable of making something grow. I mean from the initial planting the small plants to seeing them now in their current state.
I did not ever think of myself as a gardener. In the very recent past, I killed a succulent. I also did not think of myself as someone who likes to garden. The joy and excitement that fills me every time I see my plants flower and grow is something I don’t ever want to lose. Every time I see a new change I call my dad to show him.
This has made me think about the patience it has taken to get to this point. I had to wait.
and water
and wait
and re pot
and wait some more
To be honest the plants remind me of myself waiting for God’s plan to unfold in my life
I had to do my part in the waiting.
Lessons Learned: Patience
For someone who likes to know right away, this is not always easy. By finding joy in gardening, I am learning to find joy in the wait. I am grateful for the lessons in patience. They really did not seem as tough as I thought they would be. I feel like God has been teaching me through my choosing to discover the joy in every area. This has shown me how patience truly is a virtue. Learning that when I focus on doing the next right thing life tends to unfold in the best way.
A month ago, I turned 34 and it looks nothing like I thought it would, but I love it here. God has brought some amazing relationships into my life and honestly it was worth the wait. His plans really are the best.
Gardening and waiting for the right people and relationships to enter your life are very similar. Both teach the lesson of patience, and the understanding that growth takes time.
In gardening, the process begins with a tiny seed. You plant it in the soil, water it regularly, and give it sunlight. But you often find yourself waiting for days, weeks or months before you see any signs of growth.
Similarly, waiting for the right relationships can feel like an equally long journey. Just like with gardening, the right relationships need the right conditions to flourish. It often takes time to find those who resonate with you on a deeper level. The process can be unpredictable, and the waiting can sometimes seem unbearable but, the right people will eventually enter your life. This experience can teach a valuable lesson about timing and trust.
Nurturing a plant requires patience. Waiting for God’s plan to unfold also demands patience. Both journeys remind us that true beauty and fulfillment do not come from rushing the process. They come from honoring the time it takes to grow, both in the garden and in life.
Letting life unfold as it aligns with God’s plan for me is not always easy. But He often reminds me that His plan for my life is perfect. I have come so far, and I look forward to what comes next.
Some gardening tips I have learned so far
- Be patient; don’t rush the process.
- Fresh dirt feels cool and isn’t as gross as it seems.
- Make sure your pots allow the plants to grow
- Water in the morning or after sunset to protect your plants.
- don’t over water
- do not under water
- When repotting, don’t worry too much about the sound the roots make. Just be as careful as you can.
What are some gardening tips you all have? I would love to know.
