Harvesting the fruit of our labors is what we are hoping to achieve when we plant seeds. Some plants flourish best in the cool temperatures. I am thankful for the lettuces and spinach which are some of the first to mature. I can’t wait to cut those first green and red leaves! Here is the equation for a tasty fresh salad.
First, I found the largest head of lettuce and pulled it from the ground, roots and all. This head is finished compared to leaf lettuce which will keep growing back.
Next I cut red lettuce leaves which are growing beside the pansies in the large iron kettle outside my kitchen door. Pansies are the hardy cold weather flowers that are the first annuals to plant. When I planted the pansies there was space to put six red leaf lettuce plants. As the lettuce grows, the outer leaves can be harvested which leaves the center of the stalk growing and producing more foliage. Otherwise those outer leaves become weathered and bitter.
After gathering the greens, the spring onions were pulled and the baby leaf spinach cut. They need to be cleaned throughly. I like to rinse the greens in fresh water until all the sediment is gone. Check for small weeds and bugs! This is fresh organic lettuce.
Add tomatoes, avocado, and chicken to the fresh produce and it is time for dinner!
When the seeds we plant germinate, they start pushing through the soil with their first green shoots. I am thankful for the greenhouses who start seeds and sell them as seedlings to me which gives me a head start in the garden. This reminds me of how we plant seeds in our souls. When we read the Word, write it down, and meditate on it, this is like planting seeds. Reading a book or hearing someone teach and explain certain scriptures is like a seedling that has been started and can be transplanted into our minds and hearts. There are times in our lives when it seems like clouds and rain are keeping the sun from shining but nevertheless, we are developing a good harvest during the cloudy and cool days. Romans chapter 5 speaks of this dynamic. We rejoice in our tribulations, problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us. It certainly doesn’t always feel good even though we know by faith that tribulation brings about endurance. The next step is developing strength of character which gives us hope. Hope for what? Knowing that God is at work gives us confident expectation. Even though we can’t always see what the outcome will be hope does not disappoint. Why? Because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts. We are building a foundation of trust in God. For we know how dearly God loves us because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with love. vs 5. Endurance, strength of character, hope, and the love of God are the good fruit that is obtained during the cloudy, cool days when we can’t see through the clouds.
