One of the things I like about gardening/farming, the source of much of my figurative language about "peasantly" living, is that it is very directly tied up with the will of God.
We can't control the weather, we can't control pests--all we can do is our best. We can plant with good intentions, try our best to get the timing right, try our best to care for and protect our crop, and what's the result? A storm blows in and drowns one garden, an unseasonable plague of locusts devours the next. The end result at the harvest is quite literally the Will of God. That's why harvest time is always worth celebrating. Even if it is small, it is what God wills us to reap. If it is bountiful--all the more cause for rejoicing.
It is a good exercise for humbling ourselves before the will of God in all aspects of our lives. Where are our expectations getting ahead of us? Where is God trying to teach us something? Where are we not happy with what He has given us? Is it God's fault that we are not happy, or ours?
I hope this year's crop turns out precisely as God wills it for you, and I hope your fear is eased by knowing that, while you may be the one doing the reaping and sowing, God does the growing.
“We will plant anyway”.... this was an encouraging read and I love how the gardening metaphor applies to all of life. After a rough year last year, I find myself afraid to plant anything this year. I love this idea of our ancestors planting hope and how we continue planting, even when things aren’t how we dreamed. We still grow, and grow in hope. 🙌
A beautiful reminder. I like your continued refrain of planting hope in the earth and moving forward even though we are afraid. Makes me think of what Paul said about Abraham in Romans 4: “he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”
You’re right. God gives us cycles. There is a season for everything. Even fear has its place, as it causes us to take those steps of trust and lean on God even when we can’t see what’s coming. 
Last year was hard for many of us in various ways. What I do take away from it is that hope is one of the greatest gifts along with love. As long as we are able to hold on to those, there is still life worth living. Thank you for sharing your story that is not one of talking yourself into a different mindset, but one of sowing in hope, which when paired with trust and love can make for a wonderful journey, even if we are not guaranteed a specific outcome. Though I am not planting literally at this time, I am sowing a lot of seeds of hope this season, even scared.
One of the things I like about gardening/farming, the source of much of my figurative language about "peasantly" living, is that it is very directly tied up with the will of God.
We can't control the weather, we can't control pests--all we can do is our best. We can plant with good intentions, try our best to get the timing right, try our best to care for and protect our crop, and what's the result? A storm blows in and drowns one garden, an unseasonable plague of locusts devours the next. The end result at the harvest is quite literally the Will of God. That's why harvest time is always worth celebrating. Even if it is small, it is what God wills us to reap. If it is bountiful--all the more cause for rejoicing.
It is a good exercise for humbling ourselves before the will of God in all aspects of our lives. Where are our expectations getting ahead of us? Where is God trying to teach us something? Where are we not happy with what He has given us? Is it God's fault that we are not happy, or ours?
I hope this year's crop turns out precisely as God wills it for you, and I hope your fear is eased by knowing that, while you may be the one doing the reaping and sowing, God does the growing.
God bless you!
Beautiful. Amen.
“We will plant anyway”.... this was an encouraging read and I love how the gardening metaphor applies to all of life. After a rough year last year, I find myself afraid to plant anything this year. I love this idea of our ancestors planting hope and how we continue planting, even when things aren’t how we dreamed. We still grow, and grow in hope. 🙌
Sometimes the things we reap from what we sow are not what we expect, but if we are diligent and trusting, there is always value from the result. 
Put into words so many things I've been feeling. It's nice to know I'm not alone.
A beautiful reminder. I like your continued refrain of planting hope in the earth and moving forward even though we are afraid. Makes me think of what Paul said about Abraham in Romans 4: “he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”
You’re right. God gives us cycles. There is a season for everything. Even fear has its place, as it causes us to take those steps of trust and lean on God even when we can’t see what’s coming. 
Last year was hard for many of us in various ways. What I do take away from it is that hope is one of the greatest gifts along with love. As long as we are able to hold on to those, there is still life worth living. Thank you for sharing your story that is not one of talking yourself into a different mindset, but one of sowing in hope, which when paired with trust and love can make for a wonderful journey, even if we are not guaranteed a specific outcome. Though I am not planting literally at this time, I am sowing a lot of seeds of hope this season, even scared.