Growing deep roots
I always plant latanas at my mailbox when my spring buttercups fade. Latanas are normally very hardy flowers that grow rapidly and produce lovely blossoms all summer. However, the primary reason I plant this particular flower is…the deer don’t like them. Therefore, I actually get summer blossoms.
This year–not so much. My latanas haven’t done well. The summer season has been exceptionally hot and dry, but this flower is tough, not usually bothered by heat if they have adequate water. I’ve watered regularly throughout the season so that isn’t the issue. I’ve dosed them several times with soluble fertilizer.
But, they are still puny.
Farmer Bob would tell me the problem is in how I am watering. He is probably right. I mulch everything I plant, both for weed control and to preserve moisture in the soil. But the mulch gets very hard following pelting rain. I loosen the packed mulch near the plant and water close to the stem.
My plant growing husband would remind me, “You should water away from the stem to force the roots to grow out from the plant. It will create a stronger root system.”
He is right, of course. I’ve just been too lazy to loosen the packed mulch away from the plant so the water won’t stream away (run off) rather than sinking into loosened soil. If I had taken the time, earlier in the season to pull some of the mulch away from the stems, kept the earth cultivated (hands will do it), and watered in a circle, 6 to 12 inches away from the stem, I would have a healthier crop of latanas.
Normally, this time of year, my latanas would be 18 to 24 inches tall with sturdy branches, thick foliage, and a plethora of lovely blooms. My pitiful plants are barely 6 inches tall.
I took the easy way out–and it shows in my results.
Do we do the same? Some questions I’ve asked as I compare myself to those puny plants…
- Am I keeping my “soil” open and accessible to God’s guidance? (Am I listening?)
- Am I just going through the motions of an active prayer life, daily Bible study, and time with God? (Am I letting His Word in or is my heart as hard as the ground around my flowers?)
- Am I attentive in worship or Bible study–fully engaged? (Am I rushing through my time with God, my mind on other things, taking the easy way out instead of digging deep and welcoming God’s cultivation and nourishment?)
And the most important…
Am I “rooted” in Christ?
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7)
Just as effort on my part is required to produce plants with a strong root system that flourish and blossom, intentional effort is required for me to develop strong roots in my faith and service to my Lord. How about you–are you digging, cultivating, and watering your faith to build a strong bond–to be rooted in Christ?
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:16-19)
Thanks for the reminder that gardening our hearts takes real time and effort if we want good results. I don’t want to just go through the motions because the fruit will show the lack of real effort.
I love your phrase, Joanna, “gardening our heart.” Since Jesus is the Master gardener, we have a wonderful example to go by–He is the vine we are the branches. And we know His vine (Jesus) has such strong roots, cultivated by His relationship with His Father. Jesus showed us the importance of prayer, as illustrated in the scriptures. We have a wonderful opportunity to bear “good” fruit by staying near to the Master, allowing Him to cultivate our “soil,” nourish us with “living water,” and grow deep roots under His care.
God has to come and breakup the fallow ground of hardened hearts in order for the seed of His word can make contact. But we sure don’t like to be tilled, do we? But it is in the tilling and breaking up of the soil that prepares us to receive the precious seed of the gospel. That water will pernitrate the ground and get to the roots to cause growth and eventually fruit! Thanks for keeping us rooted and grounded with your posts!
Wonderfully expressed, Ben! That tilling and cultivating is sometimes painful, even more so when we resist. But isn’t it marvelous that our Father does not give up on us and abandon His crop (us) to the weeds? No, our Father is always ready to prune, cultivate, and till around our weak roots to help us absorb His nourishment so that we can grow strong in Him.
Loved the analogies you gave about gardening our hearts to build strong roots and grow.
Thank you, Marilyn. I’m grateful for your encouragement. You and Joanna highlight the term, “gardening our hearts.” I love that phrase and am so thankful for the Master gardener.
What a great lesson Ms. Katherine. Isn’t it great to know and see how Farmer Bob is still teaching us? I loved your analogy ma’am. Too often, we want to hit the “easy button” in life, when what we really need is to surrender to God’s tilling of the soil of our soul. Had learned that it’s better to water indirectly, but never really understood why until today. Make sense! Thank you for stirring my soul today ma’am. God’s blessings.
I’m thankful for all of Farmer Bob’s lessons. He was blessed to be talented in so many areas. It is both sweet and painful to recall those blessings. That tilling, cultivating, and pruning is tough on us, but as you say, my friend, it “stirs our souls.”
Great article! And from Lady Laura’s garden, I too love the analogy. We have to stay rooted and grounded in His Word.
I know that Lady Laura has a lovely garden. Aren’t we granted a wonderful opportunity to participate in God’s beauty by the privilege of growing flowers! When God gifted us with the opportunity to live in His marvelous creation, He blessed us with eyes to see. Thank you for sharing sunshine, beauty, and encouragement.
Lovely parallel! Thanks, Katherine.
Thank you for stopping by and sharing the gift of encouragement, Gail. Wishing you a joyful day!
Oh, my, Katherine, your post has sunk in to the roots of my faith walk and I have to admit that I’m often guilty of all those things you listed. Thank you for your honest cultivating of God’s word and our tendency to take the easy way. Much to think and pray about!
I’m guilty, too, Kathy! Aren’t we blessed that our Savior, the Master gardener doesn’t give up on us? If we’re not “growing” right or we need pruning, tilling, or even replanting, He gives us another chance. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and joining in prayer.
Wonderful post, Katherine. Our gardens are a never-ending source of relevant spiritual lessons, aren’t they? I love lantana too for many of the reasons you mentioned. I think some of the newer varieties don’t get as big as the old-fashioned kind did – or maybe I’m doing something wrong as well.
Thank you for stopping by, Dottie. I’ve so enjoyed seeing your beautiful nature pictures on Tweeter so I know you love flowers and gardening as much as I do. Maybe I can blame my failure with lantanas on the variety. Probably not, I know I messed up with my care in this very hot and dry summer season we have had. Much like I mess up (but don’t like to admit) in those seasons when I stray from God’s nurture and care. Wishing you a blessed day–filled with plants, flowers, nature, and joy.
Isn’t it wonderful how God can teach us through His creation? Our hearts can dry up and harden just like the soil without our constant watering with living water. An inspiring parallel, Katherine!
Thank you, Barbara. Yes, I’ve experienced a hardened and dried up heart. I’m so thankful God rescues us from those stages of life with His ever-present faith, love, and perseverance. Wishing you a blessed day.
What a beautiful message. Not only did I learn something about cultivating the plants in my garden, I got some food for thought. The tips for staying “rooted” in Him are so very visual and easy to apply. Thank you.
I’m so grateful for your encouragement, Candyce. Sometimes my “roots” aren’t deep enough and when the “dry spells” hit or the “weeds” invade, my faith wavers, but the Master gardener is there, just waiting for me to meet Him in prayer and seek His guidance. We are so blessed.
I love how gardening/farming teach us spiritual lessons. We reap what we sow. Nice analogy here
You are right, Nancy–we reap what we sow. That’s so true in gardening and even more so in our relationship with our Father. May God continue to bless your ministry.
Katherine, I loved this analogy. My poor garden needs some tender loving care. Thankfully, I’ve invested more into my soul than my yard.
Oh, I agree, Debbie. Choosing our soul care, above all else, is imperative. Thanks for sharing that important reminder that our relationship with our Savior comes first.
Thank you, Katherine, for the gardening tips and the heart checkup. I enjoyed your post.
Thank you, LuAnn. I’m so grateful that my Father shares lessons with me when I’m working in the yard (or hay field) or enjoying a walk in His marvelous creation. I feel closer to Him when my hands are in the dirt or my feet are traveling under a majestic expanse of towering oaks.
What a lovely analogy, Katherine. Gardening is rich with illustration–I hope to plant a garden next year as I missed sinking my hands in the dirt this summer.
Thank you for this wonderful encouragement.
Blessings,
Tammy
I hope you can plant a garden, Tammy. I learn so much from gardening, yard work, and being in nature. It is such good therapy to put my hands in dirt, grow flowers under God’s majestic sky, and pull weeds (to help keep the weeds out of my life.) Thank you for your kind words of encouragement.
I don’t think I have ever heard of that type of flower. They are beautiful. God teaches us so much through gardening. Thank you for your post.
Latanas are very popular in the mid-South because of their “toughness” (heat tolerant) and they will bloom all summer. The cold weather zaps them, but we look forward to planning this colorful annual the next season. I agree, we learn so much from gardening. God not only sends us beauty for our hard work, He grants us wisdom as well. Happy gardening, Jennifer!