Right Behind You…

Working from home is a joy but I must admit I’ve been pretty distracted lately by the unusual weather we’ve been enjoying in Western New York. I understand we get one more day of it before the temps drop down into the 50s on Friday. The daffodils are in full bloom and my tulips are right behind them.

I bought some seed packets a couple of weeks ago and today seemed like the perfect day to get them started. I grew Foxgloves from seed at my old house on the shady side of our shed. They’re bi-annuals and always put on a pretty show so I planted some of them today. I’ve always loved Hollyhocks but never had much luck with them but gave ’em a try today as well.

I read somewhere that you can plant seeds in old egg shells. I washed these out and I’m experimenting to see what works best. I also read that you can plant in egg cartons and then just put the cardboard (mush) right in the ground when it warms up enough. We’ll see.

Have you ever seen Foxglove seeds? They’re microscopic! Almost like salt granules. Quite impossible to get one or two seeds per section. This should be interesting …

But here’s the thing … I filled each cup with “Seed-starting Top Soil” from Home Depot, added my little seeds, and took them inside for a drink before I put them in front of a sunny window. Well, the water just sat on top of the soil. It sat and sat and sat … I thought, “What the heck?!” Something was terribly wrong. So …

I read the directions on the bag of soil!

And can you believe it said to thoroughly WET the soil prior to adding it to your container. You know what they say, “live and learn.” So I dumped everything into an old Tupperware bowl, seeds and all, added a good dose of water, mixed it all up with my hands, and started all over. Like I said, this should be interesting!

Later this afternoon, when I was back at my desk, I glanced out the window because I heard a young mom calming her nervous little boy as he rode his bicycle down the slight hill in front of my house. “I’m right behind you,” she said. “It’s okay.” He wasn’t going very fast. He was probably only four-years-old. A bike-riding-newbie. But I could hear the fear in his voice as clearly as I could hear the comfort in hers.

As I leaned back in my creaky chair to get a better view, I was immediately reminded of the way God always has our back. And our front. And our sides. We never walk alone.

“I have set the Lord always before me,
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.”
~Psalm 16:8

I sat gazing at the creek for several minutes after they were out of sight. It was another glorious day. The breeze coming in my open window was warm … fresh … alive with the sounds of everyday life. I thought back on my own days as a young mother. Giving our kids wings (or wheels) is hard to do. Teaching them to ride a bike or drive a car fills us with both excitement and worry. But like the young mother today, God often whispers to me, “I’m right behind you.  It’s okay.” And like the little boy on his nerve-wracking bike ride, I keep going because I know I’m not alone.

If you’re in the midst of a rough ride or feeling alone, keep going. Keep facing down your fears and hold tight to the fact that God is right behind you. And in front of you. And on each side. That’s what I’m trying to do. And remember to read the “Directions” … it sure helps!

Originally posted on Cottage and Creek.