In cold weather states like Michigan where I live I often get a bit eager to plant my garden. The seed catalog comes in and brings great hope and joy. It makes me think ahead to when we will be able to plant our potato seedlings (purple Peruvian in picture) or whether I should try some new seeds.
Tradition has it in our location to either begin some inside or buy plants for transplanting because our growing season is short. This is why you pay attention to each of the types of seeds and their germination times.
I wish sometimes that ministry/community work was the same. I could go to a catalog see the seeds and know how long it would take for the work we are doing to show "results." The thing is with ministry or community work what are the results worth noting?
Some may say well if we have all the people in a community voting, or a church growing that would show we are being successful. However, community and church work are messier than that and sometimes the ways in which we are experiencing "success" cannot be seen because we are trying to harvest the wrong fruit.
Examples of this are the "side effects" of community or ministry work - people getting to know one another, and not feeling lonely. Or new ways that people show up for each other by talking more or sharing a meal. There are often many side relationships happing or skills being developed that we do not see, and they are very important.
Be hopeful then in whatever way you are planting seeds in your community and may we be encouraged to try new seeds.
Peace!
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