I Hope They Grow

Yesterday was my day off, and I spent most of it with my hands in the dirt. We had a couple of empty spaces in our front flowerbeds that had been bothering me for weeks, so I finally made time to plant the spring flowers I had recently picked up from The Home Depot.

By the end of the day, twelve new plants had found their homes in the soil: peonies, daylilies, daisies, bee balm, and dianthus. I even relocated two gallardias that seemed to need a fresh start somewhere else in the yard. It was a lot of work, and by evening I was sore, sweaty, and tired.

But as I looked over the flowerbeds, one thought kept coming to mind: I hope they grow…and thrive!

Last year I planted tickseed coreopsis that looked beautiful and healthy all season long, but this spring they never came back. I still don’t know what doomed them to such an early death. This year, I replaced them with bee balm and decided to try again. Gardening has a way of teaching patience and humility. Some plants flourish immediately. Others struggle. Some surprise you by returning stronger than ever, while others quietly disappear.

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:6, “Some plant, some water, but God gives the increase.” We do our part faithfully—we plant, water, tend, and nurture—but ultimately God alone brings life and growth. The same is true spiritually. We hope every seed of encouragement, every testimony, every act of love, and every sharing of God’s Word will bear fruit.

And just as I want every perennial to thrive where it’s planted, God desires that we flourish exactly where He has placed us. He hopes that WE grow. He hopes that WE thrive. Our responsibility is faithfulness. The increase belongs to Him.

These are the flower types I planted…I hope they grow and thrive!