In a bid to sell our house, we started doing projects to enhance the curb-appeal. One of the projects was to do an inexpensive landscape rehab in the front yard. We weeded, mulched, cleaned gutters, installed underground drains, built a retaining wall, roto-tilled a large section of ground and planted grass. THIS, we thought, would convince buyers that they needed to buy our house!
Two days later, after all the hard work was done and the pride started to set in, the rains came. Honestly, it was not just rain – It was a torrent, a deluge, cats and dogs everywhere. Genesis 7:11 broke out in our front yard and “all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened.”
After it stopped we walked out onto the porch and the grass seed was gone. We felt smote – hard pressed and crushed, abandoned, struck down and destroyed. All of our precious grass was gone and we would never sell this house and move to the promised land. “God, how could you lead us here only to destroy us?”
All kidding aside, we were really frustrated, but tried to be positive. Well, really, Rebekah was less worried about it than I was. I sarcastically thought that maybe our grass was not really washed away, but that God knew it needed to be protected… by a thick layer of mud?!? #eyeroll #BePositive
For days after that rain, we walked in and out of our house, looking at the desolation of our abominable mud-scaping. It was so hard for me to stay positive. We were going to have to re-do all of the work and pray that the rain stayed away long enough for the seed to sprout.
And then, one morning, about a week later, I walked out and grass was growing! A lot of grass was growing. Thousands and thousands of little green shoots popping up everywhere! It was awesome!
The thing is with grass seed and so many other things in life, we forget it takes time. When the seeds in life are planted and they do not “spring up” immediately, we sometimes becomes frustrated and disappointed. But God knows how much time is needed and we typically don’t. We need to pray and trust and know that God is working and that He will deliver much better results than we ever expected. I look out at that area today and can’t even tell that it used to be mud – it is thick and lush and beautiful.
I did not trust. I grumbled and whined about all of the work, money and time we had wasted – and for nothing – or so I thought at the time. During all of my grumbling, God knew what was best. He knew what the grass needed and when it would spring up. He needed me to trust that the seeds we sow in faith will grow into much more than we ever expected.
I am just thankful that the seeds popped up right before I started “Project Golden Calf” in the backyard.
Ecclesiastes 8:6 ESV
For there is a time and a way for everything, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him.
John 13:7 ESV
Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”
1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Isaiah 40:31 ESV
But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
The Hope Report 