When landscape workers tilled the wrong section of our son’s sloped yard, he prepared to create a new lawn. The salesperson at the feed and seed store recommended immediate planting due to rain in the forecast.
My husband and son sowed ryegrass seed onto the upturned soil and topped it with wheat straw. Before they finished, a soft rain began to fall.
Although sprinklers provided water for the newly planted seeds on several sunny days that followed, no evidence of growth appeared. In less than a week, however, bright green shoots popped up through the wheat straw.
Gentle rain and additional water stimulated the growth of tiny roots that penetrated the soil, anchored the seedlings, and absorbed nutrients like tiny straws.
As another autumn rain fell today, I placed thirsty unplanted pansies on the deck.
I thought about my morning Bible study as I positioned the plants and considered how God’s Word gradually seeps into our hearts and promotes spiritual growth just as rain nourishes tender plants. Both processes take time and intentional watering.
The beautiful passage below speaks of rain and God’s intention. I hope these verses encourage us to study His Word even more and treasure it in our hearts.
10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
Isaiah 55:10-11 ESV
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Did you play in warm rain showers when you were young? I remember tilting my head back with glee and opening my mouth to taste the fresh rainwater.
May we be as eager as puddle-splashing children to let our heavenly Father’s words saturate our hearts. God uses Scripture to change and mature us—one verse at a time, one passage at a time—gradually nourishing our soul like a gentle rain.