Every spring, for as long as I can remember, my beloved and I have planted flowers. Over the years, I’ve killed a lot so I know what will thrive and what is sure to die. (Can’t grow a Red-Hot Sally to save my life.) We usually make more than one trip to our local greenhouse and Lowe’s for red geraniums, lantana, ivy and ferns.

This year, I decided to do something different. We had stumbled upon tuberous begonias last summer. Their bright ruffly blooms kept going and going. I was smitten. Why not plant them all over the place? Plus, they could be used more than once.

I ordered red, pink, and white tuberous begonias for spring.

I’m a rule follower, so after reading the instructions countless times, I planted the tubers exactly as instructed: after frost and temps were reasonable.

I didn’t plant them in every pot, leaving a few for something special.

Unfortunately, I didn’t mark the containers. Time had passed and I couldn’t remember what was where. The only thing I could do was wait.

I have watered, watched, and waited.

In Luke 8, Jesus told a parable about a farmer. As he scattered seeds, they fell on different kinds of ground. Some fell on the path, were trampled on, and birds ate it up. Some fell on rock and when they grew, they withered without moisture. Other seed fell among thorns and was choked. But other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a good crop.

Jesus explained the seed in the parable was the word of God. Not everyone who hears it accepts it, loves it, and takes it to heart. The farmer was faithful to sow the seed. It’s what he was called to do. He was not responsible for growth; that wasn’t his job. He was to just keep sowing.

As followers of Christ, we too are called to plant the seeds of the gospel. (Call us “seed spreaders.”) It can be near or far, to young or old. God gives us the opportunities and opens the doors; He will take care of the rest.

How would sowing the gospel look to you? Pray for direction and He’ll show you what to do, even if you are nervous. Acts 18:9 tells us: “One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.’”

In 1971, Bro. Bob Norman planted the seeds of the gospel in my heart. He didn’t know I would still love Jesus 54 years later. He didn’t dream I would one day be a pastor’s wife. His job was only to sow seeds that day. I praise the Lord forevermore that he was obedient. It changed my life!

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:6, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” When we tell people about Jesus, we may not see immediate results. Still, let’s be faithful seed spreaders. God will give the increase.

I am thrilled to tell you after weeks of watering, watching, and waiting, green leaves have started peeking out from the soil. The begonias are coming up at last! The leaves in each pot are different. I still don’t know what color the blooms are. Looks like I will have to wait a little longer.