Focal verse
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
Reflection
Most summers, when we plant our garden, the same pattern emerges: we work the ground and soil, we weed and till, and we plant seeds and vegetables. We water, and then we wait. I say a few prayers and check the garden every morning.
Every year, inevitably, our tomato plants get eaten before we put a fence around them. Whether the work of a groundhog, a deer, a rabbit or perhaps bugs, one morning I’ll go to the garden and find half-eaten tomato plants. With a sigh, I keep tending to the plants, and we erect a fence to keep the animals out. I usually feel defeated and question why I have a garden in the first place.
But I wait. And I don’t give up.
Over time, the tomato plants keep growing. New leaves emerge, and the stalks and stems grow taller and wider. A yellow flower blooms, and soon, green and then red fruit begins to form.
What I fail to remember each year is that underneath the torn-up plant, strong roots are being strengthened and continue to grow. Just because part of the plant was eaten doesn’t mean it didn’t have what it needed to flourish.
Just as in our faith life, it takes work to see growth and the bearing of any fruits. Yet God continues to work in our lives. We pray and care for our neighbors, we go to church, we read our Bibles, we practice kindness, and we find our faith strengthened.
So often, our lives get battered and bruised by the world around us, by medical emergencies and relationship challenges, yet God continues to nurture and nourish us. God provides us with the faith, support and love to keep growing.
This summer, when your patience is tested and you’re tired of hearing your kids say they’re bored or that they want another snack, remember that God will be with you, strengthening you for the days ahead.
Practices
- Read SJ Okemow’s Dear Dandelion (Annick Press, 2023), which follows the life cycle of a dandelion and shows how a simple plant can bring beauty to our lives.
- Make a summer bucket list with your family. Think about how you want to spend your days—including both rest and fun. Consider adding ways to share kindness and help your community this summer.
Prayer practice
Think about all the creatures and plants below the ground. As you walk in your yard, in a garden or around a park, give thanks for the work and life that is humming underneath you. Say a prayer together: Dear God, so much of your creation is full of mystery. We can’t always see the roots under the ground, but they are there, as are all the creatures that make their home underground. We thank you for the diversity of this earth. May we tend to creation so that others can experience this joy and beauty.
