Weeding After

When I see a weed in the garden, I just want to pull it. Isn't that what you do with weeds?

But Berry observed that the Peruvian farmers knew how to wait. They let the weeds grow right alongside the crops, until the crops were well established. Only then did the farmers pull out the weeds.

Waiting. This is not my strong suit. I've planted something good! I see weeds that might choke out my planting! Rip! Oops. Weeds in my hand. My crop in my hand. Why didn't I wait?

Proverbs says, "... one who moves too hurriedly misses the way." 19:2

I consider that Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem, for the promise of the Father. For the Holy Spirit.

Don't miss the way. Wait. The Holy Spirit will come in good time, and bend down to pick the weeds. And you will fall in beside him, in good time. Simply wait.


"Holy Spirit" photo by Sonia.

Seedlings Invitation: If you post something related to this Seedlings post AND LINK YOUR POST TO THIS ONE, let me know and I'll link to yours. A few exceptions have been made, since I was unclear up front that YOUR POST needs to LINK BACK here. I like to do this to keep our conversations in "realtime" as much as possible. Oh, and I admit I like getting a kiss for a hug.

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Waiting

Time to Wait

Downhill Rows

And now, after last post's commercial interruption, back to Wendell Berry and the Peruvian farmers (sounds like a rock band, doesn't it...Wendell Berry & the Peruvian Farmers?).

Anyway, Berry noticed, when he looked up to those mountain fields, that the farmers had created downhill rows. Such rows allow water to run off quickly, leaving precious soil intact and preventing erosion.

Somehow this reminds me of the wisdom of Proverbs. Especially the proverbs that concern letting our anger run off quickly. Sometimes it is sweet to sit in our little red rocker, cuddle our anger, and sing ourselves to sleep. We love to kindle affection for just one more word in the argument. (Oh, I do anyway.)

So, I like to remember this...

For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. Proverbs 26:20

Rocker photo by Gail Nadeau. Used with permission.


Standing Seedlings Invitation: If you post something related to this Seedlings post, let me know and I'll link to you.

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Sovereign

Proper Timing

I like this watercolor by Charity. Watercolor painting has always stymied me, because I rarely time things quite right to get the effect I'm looking for.

Proper timing.

Wendell Berry notes that the Peruvian farmers prevent erosion partly through proper timing. They don't plant the fields while the fields are vulnerable to rainfall.

Vulnerable.

I need to remember this in life, when I try to plant something, try to bring growth. Recently, I was lamenting that I struggle with proper timing in my interactions, almost as much as I struggle with it in watercolor. Somehow I miss the signs that the "field" is too vulnerable to start my digging and planting. And then everything just starts to wash away, and I'm left there looking at an empty field.

In my recent grief over this struggle, I ended up (perhaps by God's own good timing) in Proverbs. Here are the planting suggestions, just as they came to me, drifting in like a mist, to meet me in the emptiness...

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing personal opinion. (18:2)

If one gives answer before hearing, it is folly and shame. (18:13)

An intelligent mind acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. (18:15)

Desire without knowledge is not good, and one who moves too hurriedly misses the way. (19:2)

That's it. Just a few proverbial farming suggestions, from the Master Farmer himself.


Standing Seedlings Invitation: If you post something related to this Seedlings post, let me know and I'll link to you.

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Timing

NEW LINK TO FALLOWING:

Sabbath

Watercolor by Charity Singleton. Used with permission.