Streams of Mercy

I’m thinking about “seeds” these days, and am enjoying hearing stories from my great-grandson about their family garden. His Daddy made a pallet fence to surround the area and they layered and prepared the soil for planting.

In some rows they sow seeds; in other rows they plant seedlings. He’s sad to see the little seeds covered up, yet he knows that’s what needs to happen for them to sprout and grow. He’s protective of the seedlings, because they look so weak and small in all the freshly turned earth. He’s reminded to keep in mind what will come as they grow, and to know that they have everything they need to grow- fertile soil, water, sunshine and his loving care of the garden.

I read a piece in Guideposts Daily Devotion that speaks to this experience. The author spoke of her young son feeling much like my great grandson. She tells of him speaking to the seedlings after watering them – “There you go, little one. You’re going to be okay.”

When my children were little, they enjoyed music and “Down by the Creekbank” was an all-time favorite! As I watch my great grandson go about gardening, I remember a children’s song from years ago, “He Plants me like a Seed” by Dottie Rambo, included in “Down By the Creekbank”:

He plants me like a seed, and watches as I grow.

He waters me with love and shields me from the cold.

My tender leaves may bend, beneath the storm and wind,

but comes the morning sun, I’m growing strong again.

He plants me like a seed beneath the fertile land.

My roots grow strong and deep while tended by his hand.

And soon the branch will bear, the harvest sweet and fair,

The Master smiles to see, the fruit from one small seed.

Gardening, great-grandsons and good memories – a special gift on this beautiful Spring Day!

Elizabeth