I gave the women in my family group little Forget-Me-Not grow kits for Valentine’s Day this year. It seemed fitting to have a little reminder that God doesn’t forget us, so I printed out labels with Isaiah 49:14-16 and attached them to the kits.

I bought one for myself as well and as I’ve watched the plants grow, it’s been a source of many leadership and faith lessons for me. As I continue to learn, I have found great joy in watching these plants grow & I want to share my lessons in hopes that it might bring others joy and insight as well. Without further ado, I bring you Lesson #1.

Lesson #1: …Then all of a sudden!

I planted  these forget-me-nots and was doubtful about them growing. See, my cat decided that the little pot was a great toy for him and started batting it about early on. I moved it and he left it alone, but I had no idea whether the seeds were even still planted, so I added a few more.

I continued to water the soil, hoping something would grow. I went away for several days to visit a friend. When I returned, I noticed that one plant had grown. Just a tiny little green shoot was in the middle of the pot. All of a sudden, there was life!

At the time, I was reading through the Gospel of Mark and had just read the Parable of the Growing Seed:

“Jesus also said, ‘The kingdom of God is like someone who spreads seed on the ground. He goes to sleep and gets up, night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. By itself the soil produces a crop, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. And when the grain is ripe, he sends in the sickle because the harvest has come.'” (Mark 4:26-29)

I couldn’t think of a better description of my little plant. I planted a seed and watered it, but I really didn’t cause it to grow. It just did. The fact that I was away on vacation further underscored the fact that I didn’t cause the growth, I was just there to provide the right conditions and had the pleasure of witnessing it as it began to happen.

And thus a learned a lesson about spiritual growth, both in myself and in others.