Seeds, Weeds, and Waiting on the Lord: Parenting Lessons from the Garden
I’ll be honest… my garden doesn’t get as much attention as I’d like. Between homeschooling, dishes, and the constant needs of little people, I’m lucky if I remember to water it.
But when I do get out there to pull a few weeds, check on the tomatoes, or scoop up loamy soil, I’m reminded why I love it. There’s something about that quiet work of hands in dirt, even in small doses, that draws my heart back to God. And as I tend to those scraggly plants, I hear Him whisper, I’m tending to your family, too.
Parenting is so much like gardening. We sow seeds of truth, love, and discipline, hoping they’ll take root. It’s messy, slow, and sometimes we wonder if anything’s growing. But we can take heart, dear moms, in the knowledge that God is always at work in the hidden places—in our children’s hearts, and in ours.
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I’ll just say it: I’m not very good at gardening. But the Lord is the Master Gardener, and while only God can transform the hearts of our children, He calls us to be a part of the precious and holy work of tending, giving us everything we need to do it well.
Here are a few of the parenting lessons in the garden that He has been teaching me over the years:
1. Good Fruit Starts with Good Soil
Before I plant a single seed, I spend time preparing the soil. I pull out rocks, loosen hardened patches, and mix in compost to enrich the ground. I’ve learned the hard way that if the soil isn’t ready, even the best seeds won’t thrive.
Our children’s hearts are much the same. As parents, we can cultivate the soil of their hearts through prayer, biblical instruction, and an abundance of grace. It takes time and and consistency, but the Lord uses our efforts to draw our children to Him.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it.” — Matthew 13:23
Are we creating an environment in our homes where the Word of God can take root and grow? Are we being faithful to what He has called us to do and trusting Him with the results?
2. Growth Happens Beneath the Surface
Some days, I wonder if anything I’m teaching is sticking. Can you relate? I pour out Scripture, correction, and encouragement… and then face whining, messes, or conflict. It’s tempting to think nothing is working.
But like seeds buried in the dirt, growth often begins where we can’t see it. Roots are forming. Life is stirring.
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen…” — 2 Corinthians 4:18
Though we cannot know all that the Lord is doing, we can trust that He is sovereign and good. Our part is to plant and water with faithfulness, praying for God’s grace to work in our children’s hearts–in His way, and in His perfect timing.
3. Healthy Roots Go Deep
Strong roots make for strong plants. In drought or storms, it’s not the leaves or flowers that matter most, but the roots. Shallow-rooted plants are easily scorched or uprooted. Deep roots anchor and nourish.
The same is true for our kids’ faith. They will deal with many daily challenges as well as big life-changing events. When those storms come, we want deep roots that keep them steady in Christ.
“They are like trees planted along the riverbank… Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” — Jeremiah 17:8 (NLT)
How do we do this? Roots grow deep when they are well-watered. Saturate them in God’s Word, dear moms, and teach it to them diligently. Then help them practice turning to God and His Word when the storms of life do come. Their roots will grow strong and deep, and they will know how to stay anchored to the Lord.
4. Weeds Will Always Try to Sneak In
You don’t have to plant weeds—they come on their own, and fast. Left alone, they choke out the good things we’ve worked so hard to grow and cause our plants to produce less fruit. Parenting is full of weed-pulling: habits, attitudes, and influences that don’t belong and distract them from the Lord.
And let’s be honest—sometimes those weeds are in our own hearts, too. Bitterness, impatience, control… The garden reminds us to examine ourselves as we shepherd our children.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:23
Weed-pulling isn’t a one-time job. It’s daily, grace-filled work and we need the Holy Spirit to do it! Ask God to reveal the weeds that may have cropped up in your child, in yourself, or in your family life. Pray and seek God’s wisdom in how to address them. He will give you guidance an strength to do it!
5. You Can’t Rush the Harvest
It’s true, I’m an impatient woman. This fact makes gardening a particular challenge for me, especially beyond the planting phase. But alas, the garden runs on God’s timing, not mine.
Parenting is the same.
The fruit we long to see—faith, maturity, wisdom—won’t come overnight. Sometimes it takes years to see the results of your prayers and perseverance.
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9
Keep planting. Keep praying. He is faithful. Remember these truths when setbacks happen and weariness threatens to settle in. Lean on the Lord and persevere in His strength. “Let patience have its perfect work.” (James 1:4)
6. Pruning Is Painful, but Purposeful
The first few years that I grew grapevines, I was shocked at the severe pruning that was required. But I did what the experts said and trusted the process. That trust paid off. Cutting away what was distracting or unneeded made room for stronger and more fruitful vine.
As parents, we’re sometimes called to lovingly “prune” as well. Setting limits. Disciplining with love. Saying “no” when it would be easier to say “yes.” It’s not fun, but it’s necessary. And it looks to God’s pruning care for HIs children.
“Every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” — John 15:2
Yes, God prunes us, too—through motherhood, trials, and humility. All so we can bear more fruit. This process of sanctification can sometimes be painful, but it is also so sweet, knowing that our Father in heaven does it for our own good.
7. The Goal Is Fruitfulness, Not Perfection
When we garden, we’re not aiming for flawless plants. We’re aiming for fruit that is a blessing to our family and a testament of the careful tending that took place.
Likewise, our goal in parenting isn’t perfect children—it’s children who know and follow Jesus. We’re not raising trophies. We’re raising disciples.
“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” — John 15:8
And this fruit takes time. Some years are abundant, others may seem sparse. But in every season, God is faithful to grow what we entrust to Him.
Parenting Lessons: Let the Garden Remind You
The garden is one of God’s most gentle teachers. The Master Gardener invites us to slow down, pay attention, and remember that the work of growing is holy work—even when it feels hard and hidden.
The same is true in motherhood. Keep preparing the soil, dear mamas. Keep planting seeds and pulling weeds, trusting the Lord to bring the growth.
He’s not finished yet.
~ Tauna 💕
Plant Seeds of Faith in Your Children with Sound Words for Kids: Lessons in Theology
Teach your kids the basics of the Christian faith with Sound Words for Kids: Lessons in Theology! Your children will learn what the Bible says about important topics such as God, creation, and salvation. Includes scripture memory, notebooking, activities, coloring pages, discussion questions, and more!
