Do the Earthwork

Driving through our city, I am delighted by the fireworks of color bursting all around me while the springtime sunshine warms my face and a cool breeze blows about my hair.

Something about spring awakens us, like a sing-song melody—cheerful, hopeful and full of pure delight.  We are inspired to clean and clear out the clutter, make time to throw a Frisbee in the park and choose outside seating after dark.

Trees are full green, erasing the forlorn look of branches and gray skies that hung just weeks before.  New growth is a great cover-up for the things that we have let go.  And yes, sundresses, convertibles and shorts make us wish we had taken the day off.

With all this energy buzzing around, stimulating and pollinating our senses, we may miss or overlook the wisdom and insight that a farmer lives by.

I don’t know about you, but when I get out in this weather, I want to plant.  I enjoy placing lively, vibrant sprays of color into the rich texture of the earth.  The feel of the soil, fragrance of the blooms, warmth of the sun on my back and wind that wipes my brow—waters my soul.  Yet, I have to be honest, I want immediate gratification.  You won’t find me planting seeds in the ground—oh, no.  That takes too much time, too much energy and has too much at stake.  They may not all sprout or survive—resulting in uneven distribution that will show up and reveal my lack of skill.  I plant the flowers that someone else has labored over.  No, when it comes to my home, I am a gardener.

Yet, the person who planned, prepared, planted and nourished the young foliage I now set in the earth is not a gardener.  He is a farmer.  Even before it is time to plant, the farmer has already carefully considered the seasons and market, and looked forward to forecast what is needed or may show up—long before putting seeds in the ground.

The famer observes a field, evaluates its seen and unseen condition and then begins to prepare the earth—well in advance of popping a seed in the ground.  Great energy and thought goes into the preparation because the famer knows that preparation is the most effective and dependable way to keep out the foes that will cut off the life of each plant and devour its potential.

Preparation preserves and protects his crops’ potential.  Because the preparation has been invested, nurturing is less tedious.  The farmer can smile, as he looks out over the once dark rich soil that is now grown into a carpet of spring green—dancing and moving in the breeze.  He sees the reward of his effort, even before it is time to harvest; knowing he has made the world a better place.

You and I benefit from his wisdom and labor in our gardens and on our porches, yet may miss the benefit that is captured in his life example.

Today, while the spring sun fills the sky, warms the earth and reflects the joys of color—consider these:

What do you want in your future?

What is the dream and vision that will compel you to plan, prepare and nurture its beginning?

Are you a gardener or a farmer?

Are you backing away from the earthwork?

Are you heeding the vision that beats within your heart and calls you to—consider the season and market and look forward to forecast what is needed and what may show up?

Have you observed your field, evaluated its seen and unseen condition and begun to prepare your territory well in advance of planting the dream?

Your preparation will preserve and protect your potential.  Your investment will nurture the dream, making it strong, stable and prosperous.

A dream is a seed, and until it is planted in a healthy, prepared environment and nurtured, it will lie dormant in the ground and remain a dream.

A vision is what the dream will look like at the end of the journey—when you can stand back, breathe deep and smile knowing you’ve prospered in your life and made the world a better place.

It is time to do the earthwork so you will have something to harvest come summer.