Gardener

When a seed is planted, it is expected to grow. Gardeners know that crops do not sprout overnight; they require proper nurturing, care, and water. It takes time and patience. But once the seed is planted, growth is anticipated.

The way a seed is planted—deeply rooted or gently on the surface—affects the plant's ability to sustain a long, fruitful life and be harvested. When the season of reaping comes, we gather what we have sown, hoping it will be plentiful. If we plant strawberry seeds, we expect bright red, juicy, and sweet strawberries. If we plant pumpkin seeds, we expect to see orange sprouts from the vines.

As a Gardener, I have learned that planting bad seeds often goes unnoticed until it's too late. When I visit my garden, I find rotten and molded plants overgrown by weeds. Sometimes, I plant seeds in a season that isn't suitable for their growth, resulting in no yield. It is my duty to learn how to cultivate a garden so plentiful that it feeds those around me, who in turn can feed others.

Whether you intentionally plant a specific seed or not, it will grow. Even while you sleep or are away, the plant continues to develop into its intended form. It is easy to focus only on what we see above the surface, but much of the growth happens beneath the soil, in the darkness, where roots stretch and strengthen. The same is true in life—what you nurture in private will one day manifest outwardly.

I now understand that some seeds take longer to fully develop, as there is a time to plant and a time to uproot. Not every season is meant for visible growth, but every season has a purpose. Some seasons require patience, allowing the roots to take hold before the first sprout appears. Other seasons call for pruning, cutting away what no longer serves the harvest to come. Every action, every choice, is a seed, and with time, care, and faith, the harvest will come in abundance.