Steady Rain, Soft Ground

My Way Home Life
For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God. – Hebrews 6:7
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One of my perennial beds

This spring, it has rained a lot here in Central Illinois.

Though some farmers and gardeners have delayed planting, or have had to replant, we have been fortunate. We’ve had enough breaks between bouts of rain that most of our ground has stayed moist, rather than soggy.

Thanks to those ideal conditions, my perennials are looking more glorious than ever this year.

Check out these alliums, daisies, irises, and peonies growing in a happy tangle!

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Today’s Scripture reminded me of the importance of a steady soaking of God’s Word into my heart.

Like the ground, the condition of my heart greatly depends upon how regularly I’m absorbing the rain of God’s Word.

Frequent Bible study keeps my heart soft and my mind open to whatever God wants to teach me. Daily time with him will lead to fresh growth, and abundant and beautiful fruit of the Spirit.

But if, for whatever reason, I don’t prioritize time with God, my heart starts to harden almost immediately. The blessings and trials he sends my way can’t help me grow as they should.

After that, it’s a bit scary how quickly my old nature rears its head, and weeds start to take root.

Even the disciples experienced a “hardening” of their hearts.

And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened? – Mark 8:17

Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 men and their families; soon after, he fed 4,000 in an equally miraculous way. But the disciples still lacked faith, and they seemed to have a difficult time understanding the lesson Jesus was trying to teach them.

Their hearts remained hard, as Jesus said – like dry, compacted ground unable to absorb rain or yield fruit.

In the Greek, hardened means “dull, unperceptive as a rock, calloused, unresponsive.”

Sometimes, I’m just a bit glad the disciples could be so “dull,” despite the fact that they walked side-by-side with the Savior every day!

Eventually, they still became people who changed the world for God.

They give me hope that I can do the same – if I keep soaking up the Word and growing my relationship with God, every day.

Are you a gardener? How is the rain in your area? What helps your heart stay soft to the Spirit’s teaching? I welcome your comments.

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Published by My Way Home Life

I'm a freelance writer, mom, and wife who's all about being at home. I'm a do-it-yourself-er who focuses on home-related projects (I always have a few going!). Above all, I try to focus on using my life to prepare for my heavenly home.

20 thoughts on “Steady Rain, Soft Ground”

  1. How true! My heart dries up so very quickly when I stop spending quality time with the Lord. Each time I am refreshed by Him, I claim I will never allow it to happen again. And yet, like fickle weather, I will drift away for a time. I thoroughly enjoyed this post and have taken it to heart as my reminder today to water the garden of my heart with His word.
    Betsy and I have just planted a garden for the first time in years. We purchased a raised bed (making things so much easier on my aging back!), and planted an assortment of veggies. I have heard of the rains in your part of the country and pray that relief is soon coming. We planted this past Wednesday, 7 days after our most recent measurable snow fall!
    Blessings,
    Pastor Chuck

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    1. It’s hardest for me to STOP and enjoy my time with the Lord when other things clamor for my attention. Getting up early in the morning and attending to him first certainly helps. So glad you planted a garden! We have been attacking all areas of our large property with determination. Has kept us very busy as we stay at home. I would love to be a master gardener someday.

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  2. My wife is the more natural and skilled, but we both draw strength and escape through tinkering with the yard and gardens. I especially enjoy photographing the flowers from some sort of unique angle. Striking, isn’t it, that something so fragile, so easily damaged as a flower can hold so much power over us as a reminder that all living things have roles to play in this beautiful world God gave us. All life is meaningful and not to be abused or taken for granted, but appreciated as divine gift.

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    1. I agree, Mike. Gardening is so calming. I never rush with my tasks when I garden, unlike other areas of life. And it is so rewarding! Patience and love work with plants, just as with children. 🙂 I appreciate your reminder of the fragility, beauty, and power of plants.

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  3. I agree. I can feel the difference between times in the Word and other times when I’m not as focused because of external factors. It’s like my spirit becomes parched, almost like a desert. We desperately need the refreshing rains of the Holy Spirit to wash over us frequently. At least, I know I do. Maybe that’s why I love the rain…

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  6. Beautiful flowers! I love the analogy here and find it to be true for me as well. Sometimes, my heart is already hardening about something, and Satan tempts me not to pray and do devotions that day because “I’m feeling distant from God.” This very morning, I had to rebuke Satan for that lie. As usual, when I started praying, my heart softened. Well-timed post for me! 🙂

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  7. I love the verse in the end. When we give God room to do what He does best, in His timing when it is revealed the beauty of it is majestic

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  8. Meredith, the flowers are stunningly beautiful!! And, we are getting a lot of rain here in the upstate of South Carolina (USA).

    I loved your analogy between the importance of rain for the growing of your flowers and the importance of feeding on the word of God and doing what it says to our spiritual development and growth. And, I agree that it must be daily. The word of God must so be planted in our minds and hearts to where that is what we breathe in and out each day. But, yes, we still live in flesh bodies, so yes, we need that daily recharging of our batteries or the flesh does roar its ugly head.

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