Lessons Learned: Planting Seeds of Wisdom

     I have given my kids a lot of advice over the past, gulp, almost 20 years, but it’s only been in the past three or so that I’ve learned how to dispense it. Lectures or rants are not well-received. The better option is to plant a seed of wisdom and trust God to let it grow.

     Seeds are amazing. They lie dormant for months until they come into contact with fertilizer, nourishing water and the warmth of the sun. Then, they sprout, grow and produce a bloom or fruit, and not just any blossom or fruit, mind you. Seeds reproduce what they came from. When I plant kindness, I reap kindness. When I plant respect, I get respect in return.

     Not too long ago we had a bit of a breakdown at our house. Disappointment combined with a lack of rest and an uncertain future to erupt in a day when, as my mama would say, things went a little haywire. I wanted to dispense immediate wisdom, but my family didn’t need a lecture, they needed a strong shoulder. The planting could wait. The ground was fallow.

     So, I made a few notes and waited. Now that a little time has passed, it’s time to plant:

     Don’t depend on technology. Batteries die. Wi-Fi goes out. Cell towers fail. A frustration over the past few weeks has been the failure of technology when we needed it. Lessons learned: Keep a map with you and know how to read it. Print your favorite pictures. You won’t regret it.

     Know road names and compass points, especially the ones that take you home. GPS may fail. Detours may happen. Opportunities may change, but if you know the way home, you’ll always be welcomed.

     Smell it before you drink it. If it smells bad, it is bad.

     Take care of your health. Sleep matters. Medicine matters. You can’t help others or yourself if you’re exhausted or sick. Remember HALTS: The smallest obstacles are magnified when you’re Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired or Stressed.

     Say No, Part 1: Know when to say, “No.” That once in a lifetime opportunity probably isn’t. Most things happen when the timing is right, and if they don’t, they weren’t meant to be.

     Say No, Part 2: Honor your obligations. Sometimes that means planning ahead. You may have to say, “No,” because you’ve already said “Yes,” to something or someone else.

     Say No, Part 3: Know the difference between a dream and a goal. You can dream of great things all day and never accomplish anything. Set a goal and make daily, incremental steps to achieve it. Sometimes that will mean saying, “No,” to a good thing, because it’s not advancing you toward your goal.

     Not every day is a good day. Sometimes you won’t want to go to work or to school or to that meeting. Sometimes you have to anyway.  I don’t think the Psalmist meant you have to be happy all the time when he wrote, This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad. Sometimes you won’t feel like rejoicing. On the bad days, try not to dwell on the negative. Remember that you’re breathing, that trees are growing, water is flowing and people love you. Somedays that, and God, are all you’ll have, and that’s enough.

     Bloom where you’re planted. Sometimes we get into situations due to our own hard headed choices. Even then, we are in the place God allowed us to be. Make the most of it. Every place is an opportunity for ministry if you make being there about someone or something other than you.

     Don’t neglect God. God has no obligation to work on your behalf if you’re not working on His. The truth you can depend on every day is Matthew 6:33. Seek first the kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you. Follow that promise, and you will not go wrong. Ever.