Hi, ladies,
I came across this little devotional that I wrote a couple years back. It freshly encouraged me to “remember the button weed” as I patiently wait for God’s harvest!
Hope you are encouraged as well!!!
See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the fall and spring rains. – James 5:7 NIV
Growing up on a farm afforded me many opportunities to work hard. One of them was “walking beans.” Every July we kids would head out to the soybean fields to walk up and down the rows, pulling culprit weeds that left unchecked and would dirty the crop at the end of the season. On top of our pre-determined pay for this task, we were given a bonus 10¢ for every button weed we found and pulled. My dad hated button weeds!
Button weeds are notorious for being vigorous sprouters. My dad claimed that button weed seeds could lie dormant for years, but when given the right conditions of water and warmth would germinate, sprout, and grow! Thus, he wanted every last one removed from our farm!
Dormant sprouters: this concept encouraged me lately when I was thinking about people I know and love who have had “gospel seeds” planted in their hearts. Although they have not yet responded to Jesus, I need not lose hope. For a seed and, in many cases, lots of seeds have been planted.
And these aren’t just any old seeds—they are seeds of truth that, when united with the Holy Spirit’s working, are extremely viable. Like the button weed, whether planted yesterday or decades ago, given the right circumstances, they can germinate, sprout, take root, and grow, bearing good fruit for God’s kingdom.
So don’t despair if you are waiting for a good crop to emerge from seeds planted perhaps years ago. Long time or short, God is neither apathetic nor removed. He is patiently at work, promoting germination and growth. Remember the button weed!