Fertile ground: Finding a Surprise

Fertile Ground: Finding a Surprise

Dear Friends,
     I haven't written to you for a while.  Summer is a busy time in the garden.  It gets hard to keep up with the weeds and grass that try to take over. Just a few days of neglect can mean extra hours of work the next time I have a chance to work out there.   
     In the early spring a leafy plant grows in a few places in my garden. The strange thing is that nothing else appears but the leaves.  Then they dry up and return to the ground, appearing  to be dead.  Then, in the late summer stalks rise up a few feet tall and buds form at the top of the stalks. They usually open up the next day, pink with yellow centers and long, spidery stamen.  Often the next day they appear to have been brushed with a stroke of purple paint on each petal.  God's artwork for sure!  
     This flower has a few names that it goes by but I call it a surprise lily.  I love the way it pops up when I'm not expecting it, right in the middle of the black eyed Susan flowers!
     In a conversation with a friend the other day we were talking about prayer and how this helps to prepare the hearts of people to desire a relationship with God.  The soil of their heart becomes fertile ground for when the Word of God is sown like a plant.  We must continue in prayer.  Things are happening that are not seen, but are very real.  Life will spring forth and God will be glorified!
Jesus talked about a fig tree that didn't produce any figs.  Special attention and fertilizer could possibly help the tree produce fruit, much the same way that continued, faithful prayer can make a difference in someone's life.
Ephesians 6:18
"Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.  Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere."
Psalms 69:13
"But I keep praying to You, Lord, hoping this time you will show me favor.  In Your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with Your sure salvation."