My heart has always been for charity and supporting mission work, but my job didn’t
allow me to travel much for overseas missions. While I contributed to our EL
Cambodia Missions through finances and prayers, there was always a yearning to do
more.
In late March this year, during a chat with Eve, one of my Life Group (LG) members, I shared an idea to sell 100 potted herb plants to raise funds for the Cambodia Missions.
The plan was to do it with Asher, my 11 year old son, and to have a
leisurely bonding time of gardening over eight months. Yet, this project turned out
anything but leisurely!
Eve, who also loves gardening, jumped on the idea and suggested we do it together as an LG project! I’ve always told my children that they are unique and need to exercise their God-given talents which He will bless and multiply.
Suddenly that same advice spoke to me. Could my simple passion for gardening be a God-given talent
that God could use and multiply?
Could my simple passion for gardening be a God-given talent that God could use and multiply?
While excited, I worried about the project’s execution. Where would I store 100 potted
herbs with enough air and light to grow? How would 100 plants sell in a short time
frame?
Within five days, without seeking help, a friend offered to sell potting soil in
bulk at a discount. Another friend offered space at the monthly HortPark
event—Gardeners’ Day Out. I was convinced this was His plan, and He provided what
we needed.
When the idea was mooted to my LG, everyone was excited and ready to act. I felt relieved by their enthusiastic support.
Many turned up at my home to help with soil potting, planting, and labelling. I was happy to share my passion for gardening and to
see the LG experience the joy of serving and gardening together.
While we could pot the plants, their growth rate was beyond our control. Would the
plants grow fast enough, big enough, or well enough in time for the sale event at
HortPark?
Each time a worrying thought came, I prayed and surrendered it to God, claiming His promise in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7:
“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it,
but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who
waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”
It was a daily journey of
letting go and letting God take control of His project.
It was a daily journey of letting go and letting God take control of His project.
After three weeks, every single pot flourished, and none perished! This had never
happened to me before, as it is common to have some pots die away.
During the sale
event at HortPark, many of my LG members helped with the sales. With their
enthusiastic selling, every single pot was sold out! We raised $1,282 for EL missions.
Initially, the goal was to raise funds, but in the end, my LG and I received much more.
By bringing our five loaves and two fishes, we experienced the love and joy of being
part of the LG community:
“then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having
the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” (Phil 2:2)
By bringing our five loaves and two fishes, we experienced the love and joy of being part of the LG community
God used this project to strengthen my faith in Him. No passion or talent is too small for Him to use.
God was leading this gardening project, and his favor was evident
from soil to pot, from seed to plant, from LG to the sale event. I just needed to be
obedient to His calling and to trust Him in my journey.
Don’t underestimate your God-given talent; don’t underestimate the power of a team
(our LG) working toward a common vision; and remember, where God leads, He
provides.
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