Sure, we could have taken the easy road and went straight for the potted plants, but seeing that I was a young wife on a tight budget, I purchased a few packets of seeds with the little change that I had.
Surely that would do the job, wouldn’t it? All I wanted were a few daisies in my backyard.
After carefully preparing the ground, I sprinkled the seeds, lightly covered them with soil, watered the ground, and then stepped back to wait.
Hours turned into days… days turned into weeks… and weeks turned into months… all the while not a single seed flower came up.
Certainly there was plenty of growth to be excited about, but each and every time it was nothing but another weed.
Thankfully I didn’t let that experience discourage me. Instead I continued to plant flowers over the years–some better than others.
I’ve never understood why some plants refuse to grow and others, like sage, multiply under my care. I don’t really have to do anything special to sage, it just grows stronger year after year.
My lupines? They’re a whole other story.
I’m reminded of a scripture found in the book of Ecclesiastes. It’s a good one for wives who are sprinkling seeds among those they love.
He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. – Ecclesiastes 11:4-6 (KJV)
The farmer who sits around waiting for perfect weather conditions misses out on the harvest because the sun, the wind and the rain will always be out of our control.
Nature is in the palm of God’s hand. The farmer’s job is to get out there and plant the seeds–it’s the Lord’s job to bring forth the harvest.
In other words, if we sit around waiting for a perfect husband or a perfect marriage before we plant seeds, we’re missing the mark. Our job is to love our husbands according to the will of God today–right now–and to trust Him with our future.
But what if you’ve prayed and you’ve prayed, but you still don’t see change?
Here’s the thing… The heart of your husband is in the palm of God’s hand to do with as He will.
Yes, we need to plant seeds. We need to nurture those seeds as they grow, but we’ll never determine the harvest they yield.
There’s nothing that we can do to change a heart, but there are plenty of seeds we can plant for the Master through prayer, in love, and by example.
Among the many reasons we need to be in prayer for our marriage, here are five that stand out to me:
- To invite God into your marriage. Not as a guest, but a friend.
- Because prayer is the greatest gift we can offer someone we love.
- Because there is power in prayer, and should never be considered a last resort.
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” – James 5:16 - To stay connected with God. We should never take this opportunity for granted.
- Because it’s God’s will.
“Pray without ceasing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17) - It reshapes your attitude. Prayer changes you and it changes the way that you love.
- Because a marriage needs to be protected.
We never know what’s taking root and what isn’t. Keep planting, keep praying, and keep trusting the Lord for His goodness.
You are loved by an almighty God,
Darlene Schacht
The Time-Warp Wife
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