Dear Church,
Have you ever planted carrots from seed?
Unlike seed potatoes, which are actually the “eye” of a potato you plant in the ground, carrot seeds don’t look a thing like carrots. They are tiny and light; if you aren’t careful when you open the packet, the wind will scatter them everywhere. Yet, from each tiny, oblong seed will come a sweet, crunchy carrot.
A successful carrot crop requires preparation. The soil must be worked to a depth of 10-12 inches; a loamy, rich soil is best for these magic orange beauties to grow. As the tiny seed puts down roots in the dark soil, two things happen. The roots grow deeper and the tops grow lush and willowy green. They are a sight to behold!
After planting, the tiny seeds need frequent watering in order to germinate. A heavy rain will serve only to push all the seeds together into one puddle in your garden. These carrot seeds need a gentle rain; frequent sprinkling is better than an occasional soaking.
A carrot puts down deep and strong roots. We don’t see the roots; in fact, the only way we even know there is an orange root ready to harvest is to have a strong, green top. There is nothing more satisfying than to firmly grasp the base of a feathery green carrot top and pull. If the soil is well prepared, the carrot literally “pops” as it is pulled from its dark bed.
Carrots have been my teacher this week, as I have been thinking about our lives together. As those who follow Jesus, we, too, put down roots in scripture, in prayer; in silence, in darkness, listening for God’s will.
What if our days were spent planting little seeds of kindness, generosity, and gentleness. What if we didn’t have to have immediate results, but what if we were patient to wait for the growth to come? If we do our part, planting and watering, and then trust that God will provide the growth? Paul says to the church “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.”(I Cor. 3:6)
May our roots grow deep and strong; may we be patient sowers of love.
Pastor Grace