Plow the Hard Ground

Daily Gratitude Year 7-Day 260: Today, I am grateful we can plow the hard ground. 

Hard ground is not the best for growing things. It is why farmers devote a great deal of time playing with the dirt to get it ready for seed in the spring or the winter's rest. There are many things factored into their assessments of the soil. Years of experience helps them choose when the time is right. 

The scripture below provides some good advice:

"I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’ " -Hosea 10:12

Plant the good seeds and plow up the hard ground is the instruction. Good seeds seems obvious, but what about the plowing of hard ground? 

Do we look at the hard moments and seasons in our lives and think of them as hard ground that needs to be turned? Do we see the potential positive outcome, or just the hard work? 

Lately, I've come to realize how important it is that we teach the skill of surviving life's hard times. We can do hard things. Life can leave us feeling weary and frustrated; we can press on and press through the troubles. We can do hard things! I need this reminder, too. 

To plant the seeds of righteousness, we have to plow the hard ground.A good yield depends on it!

Today, I am grateful we can plow the hard ground.