Seeds of Greatness
Column by Lady Catherine Beatty

This summer my husband and I decided to be thrifty and grow our own tomatoes. We purchased two plants, pots, potting soil and some fertilizer. We carefully placed the soil and the plants in the pots. The pots were placed outside by our French doors so we could watch the tomatoes grow on the vines. The first four or five weeks we watched with great expectation. We really took well care of our tomato plants. We watered them and even talked to them. Oh yes, I put their little green leaves in my hand and told them how good they were and I just knew they would be a blessing for us. Every day we did this and every day I kept looking for some sign that they heard me. However nothing seemed to be happening. I began to think those plants never heard a word I said, so discouragement set in. Then the rains came, every day for three weeks and our tomato watching and TLC just about came to a halt. We went about our business and let Mother Nature take over. The next thing we knew we were having babies, well tomatoes. I’m sure you’ve heard the old saying, "A watched pot never boils." Well I have another saying; "You can’t grow tomatoes overnight no matter how much you watch them."

I think as Christian we have the same problem with prayers. We go before the Father and ask for something, expecting Him to answer our request in our timeframe and in the manner we want. The Word of God does tell us in Luke 11:9–10, "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened" (KJV). Also in John 14:12-13 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son" (KJV).

So we know the Father hears and answers our prayers. However, the problem I think we encounter is in the waiting. It’s like standing there waiting for the water to boil. We become impatient, we’re in a hurry, and we need to get the pasta cooked. So we turn up the heat, hoping that will help, but it really doesn’t. The only thing we’ve done is used more electricity or gas. We get discourage because we can’t see a tomato growing on the vine. Perhaps we expect God to answer the prayer in OUR timely manner. But when that doesn’t happen, then we go back to God and turn up the heat. We ask Him again, maybe this time we cry a little bit because we feel so desperate. We go back to Him every day, just like I did with the tomato plants. We don’t see any results or we don’t feel any different. We begin to question God or our faith. If we would just put the pot of water on the stove, turn it on and go about our business, the next thing you know, "Ha - the water is boiling, where’s the pasta?"

Shouldn’t our faith be like growing tomatoes? You go to the Father and ask, plant the seed. Then you watered it with lots of praise and thanksgiving, then go about your business, trusting Him to bring your harvest in just at the right time. But when we continually worry and complain, it keeps the water from boiling and the tomatoes from growing. That’s what faith is all about - trusting God, for He cares for you. He has the answer to every situation or problem you’ll ever have. But we must exercise our faith by going to Him, knowing He hears us and wants to answer our prayers. Be still and know He is God and that He loves you. So ask, seek and knock, then continue your praise and go about your business for He has heard you.

The next time you want to worry or be concerned about your prayers getting answered, think about the boiling water or the tomato plant. In due time it will happen.

Until the next time ladies,
Make it a great day.
~Lady Catherine

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