I got a package of seed in the mail.

Almost March, and seed catalogues give me visions of Summer rains on neat rows of garden produce.

That, of course, is wistful thinking. Every year I yearn for this garden with straight rows, and without weeds; enough rain to keep plants growing, but not so wet as to get root-rot in the low areas. Yet every year the business of daily life interferes with weeding and watering. It is a miracle that we have a harvest at the end of Summer.

My cousin sent me beet seed in the mail. They are easy to grow. Beets don't mind the cold Spring nights, or the warm Summer days, as long as they have water. There is so much promise in that small paper packet with the picture of the mature plant on the outside. But it takes work. I must take them out of the kitchen drawer, prepare the soil, cover the wrinkly little seeds, water the rows, and thin the plants. The seed must die in the ground before there can be a harvest.

I was thinking of the gift of Salvation God gives us when we are born again. Could it be like a package of seeds? The picture of the mature plant gives hope when God tills the soil of my soul, and allows Summer storms to come upon my garden. He is the Gardener, and weeds out evil, and thins my busy days, so there may be a harvest.

Eph. 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."