On my front porch where any of my girlfriends can come and visit for a spell sits between two white, Cracker Barrel rockers a seeder. Do you see it in the picture?
Before moving into my grandparents’ home on three acres of land, I had no idea these things existed. As a matter of fact, we had lived here about nine years when a neighbor down the street showed up on my doorstep returning my Pappaw’s seeder. It is now one of my favorite things because it belonged to my Pappaw who planted a garden every year he could.
For those who don’t know how a seeder works, let me explain. Depending on the seed you wish to plant determines the disk you insert into the red bucket. Carrot seeds, small peas, all the way up to big seeds can be planted with this tool. After inserting the selected disk, you pour the seeds into the red bucket and begin pushing it down the row. The seed drops into the divot on the disc. The disc turns as the seeder is pushed at a certain pace depositing the seed at certain intervals. Presto! Seeds are planted. Neater than socks on rooster, huh?
The first time we tried planting a garden here we didn’t have the seeder, and we hand seeded our garden. It was painful the next day. Our daughter was young at the time, so she “helped.” We had clumps of seeds here and there, but she had a great time.
God gives us the tools we need to plant seeds in the heart and lives of people. Successful seeding may require intentionally planting the seed of truth into a person’s life. There’s a certain cadence and depth seeds have to be planted. Same is true with God’s truth.
Some girlfriends cannot receive the whole truth of salvation at the first sitting or first introduction. It’s okay. Be patient and speak only the words God gives you.
Some girlfriends need to see your authentic relationship with Jesus Christ. She will need to hear your speech is different; your outlook is different; you are different. Don’t use churchy language.
The most effective witness is to tell someone what God has done for you. No one can argue with that. Then follow up with, “Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ too?” It’s the beginning of a conversation.
The other thing that sits between the two rockers is a red watering can. Red is one of my favorite colors. Seeds require water and sunshine to grow. Relationships require watering to grow as well. Take time to reach out to the girlfriend that you have seeded to see how her day is going.
Develop a common interest and share time together cooking a meal or gardening. Do something that promotes conversation. At some point, ask her if she’s thought about what you had talked about previously and see if it progresses. Don’t push. Let the Spirit lead. You follow.
Keep in mind when you refer to God being your Father that some girlfriends did not have good relationships with their earthly fathers. This may open up some personal conversation that she will need you to keep to yourself. Please be respectful with what a girlfriend shares with you. Protect that information and her.
To be a good girlfriend, you have to share Jesus. You can’t just keep Jesus to yourself and expect someone else to ask you. It’s time for you to be a good girlfriend and start having these conversations with the women you know. You won’t regret the investment.