Have you ever sat at the end of a day and asked yourself these questions: “Did anything I do today really make an impact? Did I do something that really made a difference for someone?”
I have. More than once. I think we all ponder this thought at times. I am not saying this is necessarily a bad thing. I think self examination is good for the soul. As long as we do not beat ourselves up and fall into the “not doing enough” trap. One thing I have learned is simply this. Anything we do out of love for others is never a waste of time. Even if you do not always see or hear about the outcome of your good deed, it is not a wasted effort.
When we lived in Illinois one of my neighbors was an avid gardener. Kelley lived next door to me and even though she had four young children, she was a fountain of energy. This was especially true when it came to her love of growing flowers and the care she poured into them. Unlike some other states which have extended periods of very warm weather, Illinois had a short growing season. I quickly learned that if the beauty of out door blooms was going to be enjoyed as long as possible, a smart gardener planned well in advance to get the most flowers in a shorter period of time.
One of the things about Kelley was that she liked to have flowers in as many areas of her yard as possible, even in the locations that would not be seen as readily as the main or focal point in her garden. She surrounded her home with the flowers she loved. In the home we lived in at the time, our master bedroom was on the second floor. One of my windows in this bedroom overlooked one side of Kelly’s home. It was on this side of her home that Kelly grew a plethora of flowers for three seasons of the year in spite of the fact that few people could see the fruit of her efforts. I was privileged to be one of the few. Even before Spring made its debut I would begin to see evidence of my neighbor’s devotion to gardening. In spite of an often remnant snowfall still on the ground, the crocus and daffodils would begin to peek their faces through the soil. No sooner than their glory season was complete, an array of brightly colored tulips happily announced their arrival. The Spring eventually gave way to hotter temperatures but Kelly’s flowers continued to flourish. The Summer months ushered in a glorious mixture of various lilies and other hardy colorful blooms. Though I cannot remember the names of all the flowers, I clearly remember their beauty. Once the temperatures begin to turn cooler I knew Kelly would finish out her garden with yellow, purple, red and golden Mums to welcome the Fall season. Yes I was truly a blessed recipient of the floral display of color each time I looked out that bedroom window. Whether Kelly ever knew it or not, her efforts were not wasted. Even if she only saw that small part of her garden occasionally, I was able to enjoy it daily.
So back to my original question. Do you ever feel that the things you do go unnoticed or do not matter?
To the young mom who has picked up the same clutter of toys for the hundredth time or read the same Curious George adventure story to her toddler a dozen times in a day…yes it matters.
To the daughter that is caring for her elderly mother who suffers from dementia and has patiently answered the same question countless times because mom forgets…yes it matters.
To the single dad who comes home after an 8 hour work day and still cooks a meal, helps with homework, tucks his kids into bed and finally collapses into his own bed for the night…yes it matters.
To the pediatric nurse who has worked four 10 hour shifts in a row and is asked to come in on her night off to care for a very sick little boy who needs one on one care in the ICU…yes it matters.
To the children’s ministry leader who rarely sits in a Sunday service because there are never enough volunteers for kid’s church…yes it matters.
To the parents who have cried, prayed, pleaded with God over their prodigal teen in a cycle that never seems to end…yes it matters.
To YOU…my precious reader. For the things you do. For the things you plant. For the way you water. For the prayers you pray. For the tears you have shed. For these things and countless other “unseen” things…YES, YES, YES! IT MATTERS!
Love is a seed that is never wasted.
Love will not fail. (1 Cor 13:8)
So my friends, I encourage you pick up that little spade and drop those seeds into the soil. Leave it to God to take the love that you have sown with to bring a harvest of spiritual blooms into the lives of those who God has placed in your “garden.” Even if you do not see all of the results of your labor, God sees. And in the end that is really what matters!
Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Gal 6:9)
How can I pray for you? Leave a comment below. It would be my humble privilege to take your need to the Father. Blessings!
I believe this !! So many need to hear it! The way you related the truth to so many different scenarios is very moving and powerful. I shared it to my facebook, from your facebook, hope more people get to be encouraged !! Love and blessings sweet sister in Christ
Ohhhhh how I needed this. Thank you so much.
Alyssa I’m glad you were blessed. Thanks for visiting. Come back soon!
Very encouraging!!! God Bless!
Thank you Yolanda. I am happy you were encouraged today. Blessings!
OH dear Rosie, I’m in tears reading this! Just so beautiful and so inspiring is your encouraging heart, my sweet sister. What a gift you have with words and God is surely using you to lift up others through them. <3
I felt this. I matter. I thought of so many others through your examples and in your words- They matter too. We have all planted many seeds of love that God will surely cultivate. Thank you.
Hello Christine. I am glad this story blessed you! Let us keep planting and watering. It all matters dear sister. Come back again soon. God bless you!
Dear Rosie,
I love reading everything you write from your Heart ❤️. You’re an amazing writer and I truly am grateful to call you my Sister in Christ. Your Love for your family and for people is amazing. God really blessed me when we walked into each other’s lives. God Bless your writing and God Bless you. I love You. ?❤️? Love Tee
Thank you Tee. I am so thankful our paths crossed as well! Thank you for being such a faithful reader. God bless you sister. Much Love!
Thank you Rosie. You made me smile, and you made me think! You made me thankful for those who work quietly around me, without notice.
Love it!
Hi April. Glad you stopped by again and were inspired. We truly do have people who plant all around us. What a gift! God bless you and keep smiling!
Just this morning before I read this, I was thinking the same thing. Thanks for the reminder . All that is done in love is no waste of time. Oh how lovely, how rewarding to watch a seed grow into beautiful “flowers ” so to speak. As that seed grows then another will sprout up . Thanks again!
God bless you Rosie
Hello Lisa. Once again we are being “like minded” sisters! Planting, water and reaping is a beautiful cycle indeed! Thank you for stopping by and for sharing your thoughts. Blessings to you as well.
Thanks Rosie!
Hi Maud! You are most welcome. I am so glad you “found” me again. Blessings.
I love the metaphor of gardening you used! Our good deeds really are like flowers. We may not see them, but God does. If you get a chance, please say a prayer for my friend Rob who just had surgery to remove pancreatic cancer. God bless you! I will be subscribing.
Hello Emily. I said a prayer for your friend Rob. I am sorry he is going through this. Thank you for visiting and taking time to comment. Blessings.
Lovely encouragement! Thank you!
Sabrina, I am so glad you found the story encouraging. Thank you for visiting and for your comment. Blessings!
I am blessed every time I come here and read your beautiful “nuggets!” This was so encouraging to me as so many years of my life have been spent investing in a marriage that I wasn’t sure would ever really flourish. I’m still not sure, but I am starting to see some of the “blooms.” I needed this reminder to stop and admire them and to praise God for His faithfulness. It is in these moments of reflection that I am able to find the strength to go on! Thanks again Rosie! You truly have a gift. So thankful you use it to bring glory to God!
Esther I will pray for your marriage. Focus on the roses rather than the thorns. keep sowing in love. God is able to work in ways you can never begin to imagine sister. Be encouraged and thank you for being a faithful follower here. Love and blessings!
Such a beautiful reminder. God uses our efforts to further his Kingdom. What a well-written piece. I loved this reminder! Thank you.
Thank you Traci. It truly is all about God’s Kingdom and how we as his children can make a difference. Sometimes our greatest ministry is one that may seem so small in our eyes. But in God’s eyes it is all big! Thanks for visiting. Blessings.
Oh, Rosie! Thank you for encouraging me yet again. As a Mom to two autistic sons, a LOT of things I do go unnoticed. Sometimes I just want to have a leave of absence – because honestly? It’s exhausting. Thank you for reminding me it matters. Thank you for sharing your heart and reminding me to keep on planting the seeds.
Jerusha, your harvest will be greater than you can imagine. You can do all things through Him! He is your strength and your source for each day. God bless you, your family and your ministry sister!
My dear friend, thank you for the reassurance. I love the beautiful imagery of the flower beds. Little things count and they give glory to God. The true beauty is we never know what God will do with the seeds of kindness and love we plant. The gift of writing that God has given you is like looking at beautiful flower beds for your readers. They brighten our day, remind us of God’s love, and fill us with joy. Thank you for planting seeds dear friend.
My dear friend Debbie, as always thank you for your words and for being a faithful reader. Keep planting sister. Your labor matters more than you can imagine! Much love.
Rosie, you whispered to my heart today. Raising my 3 year old triplets without any help and managing a blog is not an easy task. I know that our Heavenly Maker watches over me and notices all that I am instilling in my little ones. But thank you for the reminder again.
He notices and we matter
Diana
Diana, yes it all matters…the big and the small things because love waters our seeds. Keep going sister. You are sowing eternal gems into the lives of you children. Be encouraged!