Trusting God in the Waiting: When You Don’t Know What Will Grow

I planted three tiny lavender plants in the field this week.

And honestly? I have no idea if they're going to live.

After years of trying unsuccessfully to propagate lavender, I decided this spring to try growing it from seed. I started with about 80 seeds, and twelve little plants made it through the summer. This week, I took three of those survivors from their protected spot beside the house and planted them in the field—in holes where other young lavender plants have already died.

As I was debating whether I should even plant them, I had this thought:

If they live, there will be a lesson in the lavender. And if they die, there will be a lesson in the lavender.

But if I'm honest, there was a little bit of a "whatever" attitude underneath that too. I've learned plenty of lessons through things not growing the way I hoped they would.

And I'm weary.

I'd really love to see what God might teach me through something that lives.

Those three little plants made me realize I've planted a lot of other things in this season too—new ideas, writing, creative work, and things I genuinely hope will grow. And now I'm in the part I really don't like:

Waiting.

I love planning. I love creating. I love figuring things out. But eventually I have to release what I've created and face the part I can't control—the outcome.

And when things don't grow the way I thought they would, that's when I start asking hard questions:

Did I hear God correctly? Am I where He wants me? What if this doesn't work either?

In this episode of Rooted & Rested, I'm sitting with Ecclesiastes 11:4–6 and its uncomfortable reminder that we don't always know which seed will succeed.

This isn't a success story told from the other side.

The plants are still in the field.

I'm still waiting.

I still don't know what will grow.

And maybe that's exactly why I wanted to share this part of the story now—before I know the ending.

If you're somewhere between planting and knowing too, walk with me a bit as we walk with Him.

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