Women's Ministry: A TIME to Plant

 by Jen Balkey

Spring is such a beautiful season as well as one that can be very exhausting.

I have longed to enjoy the beauty of the garden with things all in bloom and a harvest of fresh herbs and veggies… but that only comes after hard work in the spring as well as patience and perseverance throughout the summer.

Be intentional about what is planted as well as where. The spring garden is a mixed bag for me. We have a lot of perennials that I didn’t plant so I have had to learn what they are in their spring form so that I don’t accidently weed them out. Likewise - it makes no sense to buy seeds or plants that require sun if all you have are shady areas to plant - you are not likely going to have good growth; or alternately if your desired plant needs shade and it doesn’t get any then it will likely just die quickly. Additionally, there are certain plants that really need to be given space to fully grow and mature or they will choke each other out (such as marigolds, shrubs, and certainly trees) whereas others need to be planted close together to give each other support (cosmos, daisy, peony). There is also something known as companion planting - where you pair 2 plants together because of their size or mutual benefit to one another.

Protect the new growth. Whether it is starting seeds and they need to be covered and kept a little more warm so that they sprout; or if you need to mark the location of the new plant in the garden so that kids, spouse, or lawnmower don’t just trample it before it was well established. Perhaps deer or other critters are an issue in your garden and you have to take measured precautions to ensure the safety of your plants (fence, special sprays, etc).

Nurture the growth. Healthy plants that grow to their full potential (height, length of life, number of blooms or fruit, color, etc.) are affected by the care that they receive. The plant must, as previously mentioned, be placed strategically, be provided the correct soil pH, wetness, drainage, and nutrients. Likewise the plant may require some trimming or pruning so that it is more productive and weeds in the vicinity have to be kept to a minimum so that they do not steal the water and nutrients meant for the plant. Some growth may happen if left unattended; but is it the growth you were hoping for and that it had the potential to become?

God has created each of us in His image. We all have a call and purpose. Yes, we have choices and are affected by a variety of outside influences. As you plant your time and resources in this coming season - are you going to be intentional? What things are you going to plan to use your time doing and pursuing?

If you decided in the planning phase to be intentional about what went on the calendar, what are you doing to protect those things? Are you setting up boundaries on your time so that the efforts and engagements that are important are getting the attention that they need? Are you consistently watching for and weeding out the weeds that pop up mid-season? Additionally, are you nurturing those plans and attending to those commitments? It is one thing to have a plan going in and then forget it all and watch it wither. I pray you are nurturing those things that God has revealed to you as being important.

I pray that each of you flourish and that there is a great harvest to God’s Glory in your life!

SAVE THE DATE: Join Women’s Ministry to CULTIVATE COMMUNITY on Friday evening June 18th from 6:30-8:00 pm for a casual yet INTENTIONAL get together. IT IS TIME to replant our ministry here at Hebron. We cannot wait to see you!!


What are you doing to prepare your heart to receive Christ daily and glorify Him? God created us and purposed us to care for the world around us. Are you caring for your piece…the people that God has placed in your life to care for and witness to?